10 Winter 2015 Applegater
Help with
Cantrall Buckley Park
history
Cantrall Buckley Park
NEWS
Turtle playscape is a home run
BY RICH HALSTED
Cantrall Buckley Park recently
added a new playscape, one of many
new improvements planned for the
park over the next couple of years.
Excited children and parents took in
the new addition at the ribbon-cutting
ceremony on September 19. The Ford
Institute Leadership Program selected
this particular project over the many
that were submitted, developed the
concept, and constructed the project
with help from some local members of
the community.
The Ford Institute Leadership
Program is part of the Ford Family
Foundation and was first offered in
2003. It is designed to enhance rural
communities in Oregon and Siskiyou
County, California. The Institute selects
four new communities to enter the
program each spring and each fall.
The playscape is centered
around a 1,400-pound
Photos below—Top: Tuffy Decker, for whom the turtle is named, c e m e n t
turtle
donated his excavation expertise to the playscape project. a f f e c t i o n a t e l y
Photo: Tom Carstens.
known as “Tuffy” after
Bottom: Tim Balfour cuts the ribbon at the official opening
Applegate’s
own Tuffy
of the Enchanted Turtle Playscape.
Photo: Sara King Cole. Decker, who donated
multiple days for the
excavation required
for the project. The
turtle was constructed
by Ruch’s own Jeremy
Criswell, who designed the
project in collaboration
with leadership program
members. The turtle also
represents part of the
educational themes in
regard to the restoration
of turtle habitat. The
playscape includes logs
and boulders
to play on and
a bench. The
improvement
to the park is
very successful
based on the
excitement of
the children
playing on
and around
the new play
area. “It was
just amazing,”
Jeremy said,
describing the children’s reaction to
the playscape. “Kids don’t think about
it. They take right to it.” In all, over
225 volunteer hours and 1,600 pounds
of concrete were needed to install the
playscape.
Future planned projects for
the park include replacement of the
playground equipment and restoration
of the existing area, enhancement of
turtle natural habitat areas, restroom
renovation, and improvements to the
campground. The park received generous
donations from the community and a
matching state grant for the playground
project, as well as grants from nonprofit
foundations. The playground project will
begin late this fall.
Thanks to the Ford Institute
Leadership Program seminar participants
as well as community members who
contributed numerous hours to make
this project possible. Particularly notable
community contributors include Tuffy
Decker, Sebastian Klinefelter, and Bjorn
Everson, who all made generous
donations of time and equipment.
Cantrall Buckley Park is a
treasured resource of the residents
of the Applegate Valley, and its day-
use and campground areas are heavily
utilized in summer by residents of the
greater Rogue Valley and by tourists. The
park offers public access to the Applegate
River and its natural environment and
is used for camping, picnicking, fishing,
swimming, family gatherings, and
community events. Cantrall Buckley
Park comprises approximately 88 acres.
Co-managed by Jackson County and the
nonprofit Greater Applegate Community
Your Cantrall Buckley Park
Committee is putting together a short
history of our park.
If you or anyone you know were
involved in either the park’s initial
founding in the mid-1960s or in its
salvation as a community park in
1997, please contact Tom Carstens
at 541-846-1025.
Your help is appreciated! 
Jeremy Criswell, creator of “Tuffy” the turtle,
enjoys playtime with children at the ribbon-
cutting event on September 19.
Photo: Sara King Cole.
Development Corporation (GACDC),
the park provides the closest campground
to the population center of Medford.
T h e C a n t r a l l Bu c k l e y Pa rk
Committee, part of GACDC, is always
looking for additional members and
citizens who want to participate in
improving the park. Please contact Tom
Carstens at 541-846-1025 if you’d like
to get involved.
Rich Halsted
rhalsted@ymail.com
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