’JUNE’S G A R D E N ’
VILLAGE OF FLOWERS
History of Cannon Beach Parks (continued)
Councilman and Parks Commissioner Will
Osburn, during a Council meeting dated January 16,
1979, commended the present members of the Parks
Board on their active participation in composing a
comprehensive plan for community parks. At die
same meeting the Council made the decision to add
more members to the Parks Board. Notices were
published and they received many volunteer
applicants who were appointed by the Council at
their February 1979 meeting. The main function of
this board was to study concerns of the community
and development and care of city parks, and to
advise the Council of these concerns. The Parks
Board became known as the Parks and Community
Service Board.
During the 1980s many changes occurred.
Mark Lindberg was hired to be the first City Manager
in 1985, followed by Del Beaver in 1987, then John
Williams in 1988. These City Managers, working
with the Parks and Community Service Board, the
Council, and the Mayor, developed many more
passive city parks. Elk Run, Les Shirley and Haney
property, James Madison, Ecola Creek, which was
sited but left natural until the 1990s, and the
Tolovana Club building and large piece of
landscaped property, were turned over to the City.
Before the 1980s the few City restrooms and parking
lots seemed adequate, but this drastically changed as
at times tourists swelled the population of the town.
More restrooms and parking lots were developed.
Also during the 1980s many more recreation facilities
were added to City Park.
On March 10, 1986 City Manager Mark
Lindberg received a letter from the U.S. Department
of the Interior National Parks Service that Les
Shirley Park was certified to be a part of the Lewis &
Clark National Historic Trail. This was the site
where the expedition came to see the beached whale
and purchased blubber and oil from the natives.
Linda Newberry was chosen to design several
markers to tell of this early history and to explain
with drawings and descriptions the existing wildlife.
In August 1986 members of the Lewis &
Clark Expedition National Foundation visited the
Park as part of a celebration of the 212th anniversary
of Meriwether Lewis’ birthday, August 18, 1774.
Les Shirley Park is a passive park north of
Ecola Creek, a place to visit, to explore the Creek,
observe the wildlilfe that still exists there, to read the
markers, and to realize its history. The Park is
named in honor of a caring man who volunteered for
years daily patrolling the town, picking up and
disposing of litter left by thoughtless people.
James Madison Park was dedicated during
the time when Everett Browning was Mayor. It was
designed with mounded flower beds that divide the
Park from the bordering streets, Spruce and
Madison. These beds are planted with
rhododendrons, various flowering and evergreen
trees, shrubs and perennial flowers. From early
spring and into fall many of these plants
are in full bloom.
Both Madison and Les Shirley Park have
provided picnic tables and benches.
Elk Run Park was so named because
someone once saw an elk there, or possibly a herd,
as the elk that live in the nearby forest enjoy the most
tender plants that we humans try and plant
throughout the city parks and residential areas. This
park on Spruce Street is bordered on the west side by
wetlands. A few trees and shrubs are planted in
raised beds and a small parking area is provided.
Ecola Creek Park, bordering the creek
southeast of the bridge, had been left natural until
1993. On Arbor Day of that year, Jan Ayles,
Cannon Beach gradeschoo, teacher, and her fifth
grade planted trees there. The children also later
helped build and install two picnic tables and
benches. The anchor that is placed there had been
part o f the exterior decor of the Whaler Restaurant,
owned for many years by Sandy and Doug Larson,
on the comer of 2nd and Hemlock Street. Gene
Cope, who bought this property, donated the anchor
when he remodeled the building to include other
types of businesses.
The majority of the vegetation of this park
has been left natural as it should be, not to disturb the
environment along the creek.
The Tolovana Club property now includes
the Day Care Center. The club house is used for
many purposes. The Center provides their own
landscaping; the City’s responsibility is the grounds
around the club house and the plantings south of the
extended parking lot.
Acitivities and recreation facilities that were
added to City Park during the 1980s were: a second
tennis court, a paved area for handball and
basketball, a skateboard ramp, an organized summer
program for children, and until 1996 a portable
bandstand.
The history of having music to celebrate the
4th of July and the bandstand were prompted by the
wish of Will Osburn.
One 4th of July, Will hired a band to play in a
small grassy area north of El Mundo for Women
adjacent to Beth Holland's first flower shop. This
started a yearly event Will loved all styles of music.
The porch of Will’s grocery store was a favorite
place for musicians to gather. At times he and his
friend Jim Smith played their trumpets and
entertained others with Christmas carols regardless
of the season.
Will died in 1985, and to carry on the
tradition and in memory of Will on July 4th 1986,
the North Coast Symphonic Band, Jim Smith
conducting, played the first concert in City Park.
The bandstand was borrowed pallets covered with
sheets of plywood that were donated from the
Cannon Beach Lumber Yard. Laurel Hood Smith
reminisced that they strung up a madras style
bedspread for a backdrop.
In 1987 the Osburn family rented a bandstand
from Portland which was placed in the park the last
of June and taken down and stored in September.
That summer was the beginning of the concert series
performed each Sunday afternoon throughout the
summer. The City eventually bought this portable
bandstand which was used until the permanent one
was built in 1996.
The new bandstand was designed by Jay
Raskin and constructed by Sam Absher. Mike Riley,
Gearhart Landscape contractor, used Columbia River
basalt stone from Longview Quarry to incorporate in
the foundation of the bandstand. The bronze crow
mounted on the peak of the building was designed
and made by Frank Boyden. Starting the concert
series each 4th of July, it has become a tradition for
Jim Smith to conduct the Symphonic Band,
dedicating it to Will, starting the program playing
‘The Star Spangled Banner,’ followed by John
Phillip Sousa marches, swing music, and songs
from musicals. Selections of a variety of styles of
music make up the summer series that closes on
Labor Day.
Developing the many new parks and other
landscaped areas the City owns became a problem
for continued care, as in 1988 the only City
maintenance worker, Nick Murry, left.
(to be continued)
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