It’s been quite a year for Jim Good.
It started with a quadruple bypass that he almost didn’t survive.
After that he, along with the community, celebrated the 30th anniversary of Goodsir Nature Park, which he lovingly created on his property at Salmon Valley.
That celebration led to a GoFundMe campaign to help Good with some much-needed repairs to his house at the park … repairs made even tougher for him because of his heart surgery.
On Monday, he was honoured by Mayor Lyn Hall and Prince George city council for his work over the past 30 years.
“Jim, your nature park is a national treasure,” said Mayor Lyn Hall. “The City of Prince George and visitors from all over the globe benefit from all the hard work and effort that you have put into creating such a wonderful space to learn about Canadian botanical history and to enjoy the great outdoors.”
Good was thrilled and humbled with the recognition.
“It’s wonderful, I don’t know what to say, I’m speechless,” he said after the recognition. “I never expected anything quite like this.”
He is also humbled by the GoFundMe campaign, set up by Claire and Kieron Warner, who were at council Monday to support Good.
“I especially thank the volunteers and the people who have come out,” Good said. “Some of them have worked really, really hard. Every little bit helps.”
The GoFundMe campaign has now raised more than $9,000, which will be boosted by the Brink Group of Companies that is kicking in another $5,000. Founder and CEO John Brink was also at city council Monday to support Good.
Good’s furnace is cracked and this alone is a major fire hazard in his rural home. He does not have a safe fire burning unit and he takes the risk every time he makes a fire to keep himself warm. This is not only causing him to burn excessive amounts of wood, but his home is in serious jeopardy of burning down without major repairs to his central heating system.
The chimney in his house also needs some repairs and his propane tank, which hasn’t been used for years needs servicing and repairs as well. If fixed, it could reduce the amount of wood he would need to burn. The roof of his house also needs repairs.
Good says his heart troubles will slow him down “but at least I’m here.”
He is now doing light duty chores at the park and, as always, will greet people when they arrive at the park, give them a park map, and give tours of the botanical museum and the record museum.
“Hopefully we’re going to get the house fixed up,” he said. “It’s somewhat run down. I just want to keep the park going as long as I can. I can’t think of a better thing to do than live out my final years greeting people and sharing my life stories.”
