Volunteers Upgrade Seeley Lake Memorial Park

SEELEY LAKE – Volunteers with the Veterans and Families of Seeley Lake (VFSL) installed two new benches and level concrete pads for wheel chairs at the Seeley Lake Veterans Memorial Park north of Seeley Lake on Highway 83.

The new seating was placed so visitors can see all the memorial plaques while not interfering with the programs held for Veterans Day and Memorial Day.

The land belongs to Missoula County but the Veterans and Families of Seeley Lake (VFSL) have been given permission to use it for the memorial park.

Volunteers have thinned the trees and made general improvements to the land. Thanks to a lumber donation from Timberline, they installed the seating and another arch for more plaques to honor veterans who have passed.

"A lot of people like to come and sit, contemplate and remember their loved ones," said VFSL President Barbara Knopp. "They needed a place to sit. Now they can look over the whole thing."

Tony Knuchel of Knuchel Concrete from Potomac, Mont. donated the concrete for the pad and Don Larson dug the holes for the bench area. Larry Kenny, Darryl Wolery, Glen Knopp, Gary Pelletier, Tim Penhorwood and Rick Bartlett placed the concrete and mounted the benches. They will be permanent fixtures at the park.

The improvements are funded by fundraising efforts and donations to VFSL. To get involved or to make a donation call Knopp at 677-2543.