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About Applegater. (Jacksonville, OR) 2008-current | View Entire Issue (Dec. 1, 2012)
22 Winter 2012 Applegater Cantrall-Buckley Park NEWS A new playground for your park As you’ve probably read in previous Applegater articles, we’re looking forward to making major improvements in both the day-use area and the campground at Cantrall-Buckley Park. The final phase of the Campground Improvement Project to make it RV-friendly will come later in this decade. First, over the next couple of years we hope to replace the day-use restrooms and remodel the playground. Jackson County Parks has tentatively scheduled replacement of the restrooms for their 2014-15 fiscal year. The new building will probably be a prefabricated concrete structure similar to the building that was added to the campground in 2008. It is anticipated that placement of the building with a crane will mandate its location on the existing playground. In preparation, we’ve started planning for the new playground and next year will begin our fundraising campaign. A group of Applegate mothers who regularly take their kids to the playground have signed on to help the Greater Applegate Community Development Corporation (GACDC) park committee with design and the fundraising campaign. They’ve come up with some innovative ideas to make Cantrall-Buckley’s playground attractive to more people. We’re still working on the design, but this article will describe some of the features being discussed. Naturescapes and playscapes A “naturescape” is a playground inspired by nature, promoting exploration and exercise in a natural setting. A naturescape creates an outdoor learning environment that incorporates native plants, trees, edible landscaping, logs and boulders to climb on, a children’s garden, real wood blocks, plenty of room to roam and run, buckets and pipes to make music, and loose building materials that encourage creativity. The word “playscape” describes a landscape type that is completely designed for play, not just a place with equipment that is associated with the word “playground.” These new words demonstrate how much exciting innovation is occurring in defining what used to be called the “playground.” Playground design Following a theme of “Living with the Land—Natives and Settlers,” the playground area could contain simple equipment such as a wooden house (fort, log cabin), bridge, balance beam, metal bars, steps, ladders, swings, a slide that uses the natural slope of the land, obstacle course, merry-go-round, hammock net, and track ride. Logs and boulders could serve as a border for the playground area. The uphill side of the playground might benefit from a rustic log fence to keep children out of the upper roadway. Rustic log benches and a couple of picnic tables will be positioned around the playground area. Local builders, landscape designers, and artists will be employed wherever possible. The plan will incorporate noncommercial equipment, including wooden and metal play structures that blend with the landscape and fit with the historical playground theme. Health and safety will be considered in selection of materials, such as in wood treatments. Nature trails The playground would provide an inviting gateway into the nature trail system with natural artistic elements such as carved wooden poles framing the trailheads and a musical art piece. Rustic native and pioneer shelters including bark houses, log cabins, and a Chinese mining camp could be located near the playground along the trails with educational signage to explain the natural and cultural history of the area (see “Education”). These shelters could be built as a community effort and would not be a part of the playground itself. We will improve upon the existing nature trails with a focus on their becoming a naturescape or playscape near the playground. Natural elements such as logs for climbing, steps cut into downed trees, boulders, wooden platforms and bridges, a series of carved wooden mushroom totem poles for hopping, living willow structures by the river, and a ropes course (as in the “Tangle” in Rio Tinto Naturescape Kings Park, Perth, Australia). Our goal will be to beautify and define a trail system while providing a natural place to play and have an adventure. The Applegate Trails Association (ATA), which has been busy creating and improving trails and trail access around the Applegate Valley, has expressed interest in participating in the trail improvement project. Education The rustic shelters mentioned earlier could be part of an outdoor natural and cultural history exhibit with educational signage talking about the history of this area, perhaps including a mural that depicts a timeline. Safety considerations Crosswalks to the river and to the trail above the playground, and a sign along the road, immediately before the playground, asking drivers to go slowly and watch for children, would enhance safety aspects of the playground. Playground rules, e.g., no glass or alcohol, no smoking, etc., will be posted. Finally, after demolition of the present restroom building, concrete could be poured over the existing pad to recycle the impacted area into part of the playground area to be used for scooters, skateboards and bikes. Planning If you’d like to join us and take part in the planning effort, we’re certainly open to new ideas and points of view. Contact Dave Laananen at the phone number or email address below. David Laananen and Michelle LaFave 541-846-0500 david.laananen@asu.edu RVHPA Donations Christmas ~ Solstice Party at the Applegate Library December 23, 3 to 5 pm Music • Sing-along Refreshments • Holiday spirit Bring your friends! Join the fun! 18485 North Applegate Road Applegate, OR Jason and Liza Smith’s home burned down last summer. They live at the base of Mule Mountain below Applegate Lake. Jason and Liza allow the Rogue Valley Hang Gliding and Paragliding Association (RVHPA) to land in their fields during its events. After their home burned, RVHPA took up a collection. As you may know, Woodrat Mountain is internationally renowned as a flying site. Once the drive was published on an international pilot’s forum, donations came from as far away as Australia. In total, pilots raised $2,100 and presented a check for that amount to the Smith’s in August. On a similar note, the Portland paragliding club held their annual fundraiser for Ruch School during the Starthistle fly-in over Labor Day. They presented a check for $753 to Ruch School, which will be used to pay for some students who are traveling to Washington, DC. OSU Extension Classes Grape Pruning Saturday, February 16, 9 am - Noon Cost: $10 public; free to Master Gardeners with badges This is a beginner’s class for people with little to no experience in pruning grapevines. This class is a lecture and demonstration activity only. The student will understand cane and spur pruning, and propagating grapes from cuttings. At class end, students will be allowed to select cuttings from the table-grape varieties grown at the Extension facility. Fruit Tree Grafting Wednesday March 13, 2013, 6:30 - 8:30 pm Prepayment of materials fee of $25 George Tiger, Retired OSU Horticulture Agent Learn how to create your own apple tree or save grandpa's favorite apple tree. The techniques and tools for grafting fruit trees will be taught. Participants will choose apple tree varieties to make three grafted starts to take home. Limited to 25 people. Call 541-476-6613 to register. Classes held at 215 Ringuette Street, Grants Pass, OR.
