A tree fort built with community spirit
by Brandon Mayer
For local boys Keegan and Kashton Beckstead, the magnificent new tree fort in their yard represents so much more than just play – it’s a project that was started by their dad a few years ago, and finished last month with the help of small town neighbourly spirit.
Treena Beckstead, the boys’ mother, explained that her wonderful neighbours organized a full workday to complete the job that had been started by the boys’ father, Kelly, before he suffered a medical event. “My husband had a stroke at the age of 39 two years ago,” said Treena. “He was left with significant deficits and is not very mobile. Because of this, our neighbours so generously stepped up and got the job done!”
The boys – age 10 and 12 (soon to be 13) – contributed much to the building of the fort as well. They put in several weekend workdays this spring alongside one helpful neighbour, with the aim of getting the fort ready for Keegan’s 13th birthday sleepover party in August. Following the workday in which several neighbours came out to complete the project, the boys slept in the fort the first night after it was built. Treena reports that they loved every minute!
“Their dad started the fort before his stroke,” Treena added. “He had it framed and had steps up to a zipline. The neighbours put the walls and roof on it. So this has been a work in progress for 3+ years.”
The end result of the project has been anything but a basic tree fort. The fort has both a downstairs and an upstairs, with an opening in the upper floor and a ladder to get between floors. The upper floor is where the boys (and friends) sleep, featuring 3 windows that can be used to spot wildlife and also let in some natural sunlight. The tree fort even has a name – the “Beckstead Roadhouse” – complete with a welcoming sign.
“We have the best neighbours and live in a wonderful community,” Treena emphasized. “Many people donated wood and materials. It was truly a demonstration of ‘it takes a village’ – amazing how the neighborhood came together in such a generous and thoughtful way.”
More photos of the fort can be found inside this issue of the Times.