 They were unable to have children so they chose instead to build story scenes to amuse hikers on their way to the Champlain Lookout, one of the highest points along the Ottawa River and located at the rear of their property.In 1966 the park opened featuring a windmill, several story scenes and a playground.The park continued to expand, adding new scenes at a steady rate until 1973 when Durk Heyda suffered a heart attack and control was handed to family friend John Berkhout.