A Tradition of Stewardship in Boulder Junction Parks

The Boulder Junction Parks and Recreation Department is entrusted with the care of some of the community’s most visible and valued public assets. These parks are more than recreational amenities, they are places where residents gather, visitors reconnect with nature, and traditions are formed across generations. Maintaining these spaces at a high standard requires more than initial construction or seasonal attention. It requires sustained investment, thoughtful stewardship, and a shared commitment to long-term care.

While public funding provides the foundation for park operations, it does not always account for the full scope of maintenance, staffing, and equipment needs that arise as facilities grow, usage increases, and expectations evolve. Recognizing this reality, the Town has taken a proactive approach to ensure that Boulder Junction’s parks remain safe, welcoming, and well cared for, both now and into the future.

To support this responsibility, the Town established the Boulder Junction Parks and Recreation Maintenance Fund in partnership with the Boulder Junction Foundation. The fund provides a dedicated and transparent mechanism for receiving private contributions to supplement public investment in the parks. Donations are accepted through the Town’s website, the Foundation’s website, and QR code signage placed throughout the parks.

In addition to these methods, the Winter Park has historically accepted cash donations through a secure, locked milk can mounted at the pavilion. This simple, practical approach has proven effective and reflects a long-standing culture of quiet generosity among park users.

Building upon this tradition, and at the suggestion of park volunteer and advocate Henry Royer, a new and enduring approach to park fundraising has been developed. Henry designed and constructed secure metal donation boxes in the shape of birdhouses. These birdhouses are intentionally rugged, weather-resistant, and designed to prevent tampering, while fitting naturally into the park environment. From this concept emerged the Birdhouse Giving Program.

The Birdhouse Giving Program establishes a consistent, recognizable, and park-wide approach to inviting community support for ongoing park care. The birdhouse serves as both a functional donation box and a visible symbol of stewardship. Just as a birdhouse provides shelter and stability, the program reflects the shared responsibility of caring for the places that bring people together in Boulder Junction.

Under the program, birdhouse donation boxes will be installed in each of the Town’s parks, placed in visible but unobtrusive locations such as near park entrances, pavilions, trailheads, and gathering areas. Each birdhouse will be clearly identified as supporting the Boulder Junction Parks and Recreation Maintenance Fund and will provide two methods of giving, a traditional cash donation slot and a QR code linking directly to the Foundation’s secure online giving platform.

Funds collected through the Birdhouse Giving Program are deposited into the Maintenance Fund and are used exclusively to support the care, operation, and sustainability of Boulder Junction’s parks. Use of these funds shall include, but is not limited to, ongoing maintenance activities for Parks and Recreation facilities, funding of staff positions that support parks maintenance or recreation programs, and the purchase of equipment for use within Parks and Recreation facilities. This flexibility ensures that contributions can be directed toward the most immediate and meaningful needs, while maintaining accountability and purpose.

The Birdhouse Giving Program is not intended as a short-term campaign or a seasonal fundraiser. It is designed as a standing invitation to stewardship. There is no expectation to give, no event to attend, and no transaction required to enjoy the parks. Contributions are offered voluntarily, often after individuals and families have experienced the value of the parks firsthand, whether skating at Winter Park, walking a trail, spending a day at Nichols Lake, or gathering at the Community Sports Park.

Transparency and trust are central to the program. Periodic updates will be shared with the public summarizing how Maintenance Fund contributions are being used and highlighting the tangible improvements supported by donor generosity. Recognition will remain collective and understated, consistent with the community-driven values of Boulder Junction.

Over time, the birdhouse is intended to become a familiar and trusted symbol across all parks, quietly reinforcing the idea that these spaces are sustained not only through public funding, but through shared care and responsibility. The Birdhouse Giving Program reflects a belief that stewardship grows best when it is simple, visible, and rooted in tradition.

In this way, the birdhouse becomes more than a donation box. It becomes a lasting expression of Boulder Junction’s commitment to preserving and caring for its parks, today and for generations to come.