Thank You

(Monday, October 20/2003)-- Art Sampson, HRM's Supervisor of Major Parks, and the staff at Point Pleasant Park today extended their thanks to the close to 100,000 people who turned out over the weekend to see the devastation left by Hurricane Juan.

Mr. Sampson, who has worked at Point Pleasant Park for the past 28 years, said the public turnout over the two days far exceeded any expectations and he and his staff appreciated co-operation shown by all visitors.

"The number of people who came to visit over the weekend is truly a testament of how much Point Pleasant Park means to the people of HRM. Only by viewing the damage first-hand, could our residents truly appreciate the big job that lies ahead in cleaning up the park, and then the long road ahead to restoring it," he said.

Mr. Sampson said visitors to the park this weekend observed all of the rules e.g. no smoking, pets on leash etc. and there were no incidents of any kind reported.

He said many visitors inquired about providing a donation towards the clean-up and restoration. Those wishing to show support for Point Pleasant Park should mail their cheques to the HRM Infrastructure Recovery Fund, P.O. Box 1749, Halifax, N.S., B3J 3A5 and indicate that they want their donation to go towards work at the park.

Donations may also be made to the general Infrastructure Recovery Fund or may be directed to any other park throughout the Halifax Regional Municipality.

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John O'Brien
Corporate Communications Officer
(902) 490-6531