22 Spring 2012 Applegater
Cantrall-Buckley Park
NEWS
by pat randall
When I moved to Ruch about five
years ago, I went on short car trips to
explore the area. That is how I found
Cantrall-Buckley Park. Prior to moving
here, I had worked for several city park
departments in Washington for over 20
years. When I drove into Cantrall-Buckley
Park, it was like stepping back in time,
remembering my childhood adventures
in parks all over the country. Charmed
immediately, I wanted to learn more about
our little diamond in the rough. Not
long after that trip, the Greater Applegate
Community Development Corporation
(GACDC) held its annual fundraiser at
Cantrall-Buckley Park, and there I met
Dave Laananen. In a conversation about
trapping gophers and moles, we took
valley days
for hitting targets by subtracting 15 seconds
for every prone hit and 30 seconds for every
standing hit from their race time. It is
intended that rifles be provided in addition
to shooting instruction, ammunition, and
targets. There will be an entry fee, and all
proceeds will go toward the improvement
of the park. We look forward to seeing all
ages and abilities competing for fun and for
glory! Those interested in participating or
assisting in course and range management
should call Jonathan at 707-696-1575.
The Friends of the Applegate Fire
District will hold a community yard sale
on the athletic field at Ruch Elementary
School. Vendors wishing to sell at the yard
sale should visit Fire District Headquarters
at 1095 Upper Applegate Road or call
541-899-1050 to reserve a place. Spaces
a verbal detour into Cantrall-Buckley
Park, and I found myself at the next park
committee meeting.
The park, 88.64 acres, and one of
the most popular in Jackson County for
general family day use, was named for the
Cantrall and Buckley families from whom
most of it was purchased on April 9, 1965.
The park includes 1.75 miles of Applegate
River frontage.
Jackson County closed Cantrall-
Buckley Park in August, 1996, due to lack
of funds. It remained that way until a
group of citizens got together and reached
an agreement with the county to reopen
it. An ad hoc committee of groups in the
Applegate area began operating the park
in April, 1997. Within a year, the newly
formed GACDC took over management
of the park. Cantrall-Buckley is still a
Jackson County park, operated by the
GACDC through an agreement with
Jackson County, and the county continues
to handle reservations for the group areas
at the park.
The GACDC currently has a park
committee, which meets once a month
to discuss projects, finances, events,
maintenance, and to make short- and long-
term plans for best park management. It’s
a lively hour of conversation about how to
encourage current and future park users
to come and enjoy what we have, figure
out what we need to do to continue park
improvement, and how to increase revenue
to keep the park healthy, safe, and open.
Many people, contractors, and groups have
donated time, materials, and sweat equity
to keep our park open and, without them,
the park would likely be closed. Sincere
thanks go to all of you. These meetings
are open to the public and are held on the
second Wednesday of each month at 5 pm,
usually at Applegate Fire District Station
1 on North Applegate Road. Please come
and share your ideas. If you have any
questions regarding the park, you may call
Jackson County Parks at 541-774-8183.
Park committee members include
Rick Barclay, Tom Carstens, Laird Funk,
Lynn Funk, David Laananen, Pat Randall,
and Jack Shipley.
Pat Randall • 541-646-8022
patspond@gmail.com
continued from page 1
will be assigned on a first-come, first-serve
basis. The best spaces will go quickly, so
don’t wait too long to sign up.
If there’s something you think we
may have missed, such as another type of
activity that might fit in with the plans
discussed, or if you want to volunteer or
have a vendor’s booth, please contact us at
our website: www.applegatevalleydays.org.
Whether you want to learn more
about the beautiful place where we live,
or just have a good time with family and
friends, you’ll want to come to Applegate
Valley Days. If you have family and friends
who live outside the area, invite them to
join you in celebrating the wonderful
Applegate Valley!
David Laananen • 541-846-0500
david.laananen@asu.edu
Be sure to mark your calendars for May 5 - 6 for the Jackson County Master
Gardener Spring Fair at the Jackson County Expo Center in Medford.