Polk County Itemizer-Observer • April 1, 2015 3A
Polk County News
Farmers markets
opening Saturday
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WEATHER
HIGH LOW
March 24......... 58
March 25......... 64
March 26......... 72
March 27......... 68
March 28......... 61
March 29......... 69
March 30......... 68
43
48
45
45
46
39
40
JOLENE GUZMAN/ Itemizer-Observer
An Oregon Parks and Recreation Department grant would allow the city of Falls City
to expand Michael Harding Park to include both sides of the falls and build a pavillion.
Falls City seeking state
grant to purchase site
Improvements to falls park property also planned
By Jolene Guzman
The Polk County Itemizer-
Observer website,
www.polkio.com, is updat-
ed each week by Wednes-
day afternoon. There, you
will find nearly every story
that appears in the print
version of the newspaper,
as well as some items, in-
cluding additional photos,
that do not appear in print
due to space limitations.
RECORDED
By Emily Mentzer
RAIN
.03
.07
.00
.09
trc.
.00
.03
Rainfall during March — 4.06 in.
Rain through March 30 — 11.60 in.
The Itemizer-Observer
FALLS CITY — Falls City
has submitted a grant appli-
cation to the Oregon Parks
and Recreation Department
(OPRD) to purchase and im-
prove the property at the
city’s namesake falls.
Currently, the Falls City Al-
liance owns the property on
the north side of the falls, pur-
chased with money borrowed
from the city’s revolving loan
fund, about $133,000.
The grant, through the de-
partment’s Local Govern-
ment Grant Program, would
allow for the city to buy the
property. Funding also would
be available to improve ac-
cess to that side of the falls,
build a viewing platform,
pavilion and restrooms.
The improvements will be
made over three phases and
will essentially be an expan-
sion of the city’s Michael
Harding Park, located on the
other side of the falls.
“It would be one park
with the falls in the middle,”
said Janelle Anzalone, a
spokeswoman for the Falls
City Alliance.
Anzalone submitted the
grant Monday, applying for
$121,392. According to the
grant processing schedule,
the applications were due
Wednesday (today) and the
grant advisory committee
will be reviewing and rank-
ing applications in June. The
ORPD commission will hear
those recommendations in
September.
On March 12, the city
council approved a resolu-
tion supporting the applica-
tion, a mandatory part of the
process.
Councilor Lori Jean Sickles
called the application “a ne-
cessity,” saying it would not
only give the city possession
of the property, but pay back
the revolving loan fund, des-
ignated for low-interest
loans to residents for home
repairs.
“As long as we can pull it
together, we should make
every effort,” she said.
If approved, the alliance
will be able to connect the
new features at the park with
the trails it is planning to
build this summer. The trail
work also was provided for
through an OPRD trail grant
program. The group was
awarded nearly $41,000 in
“tools for trails” funding for
the alliance to pay for equip-
ment and concrete to clear
and build a trail that will fol-
low the Little Luckiamute
River through town and be-
yond the falls.
The Itemizer-Observer
Check It Out
INDEPENDENCE —
With the exceptionally
warm winter this year, it’s
felt like spring for weeks.
The opening of two farm-
ers markets in Independ-
ence on Saturday makes it
official.
Martha Walton, manager
of the 22nd annual Original
Independence Farmers
Market, said the warm
weather has been making
things grow too fast.
“We’ll see what Mother
Nature presents us with in
April,” she said. “In years
past, she’s not been very
nice to us in April.”
Regardless of weather,
the Original Independence
Farmers Market will be
open from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
on Saturday, back at the
parking lot of Umpqua
Bank at 302 S. Main St.
Fresh cinnamon rolls and
coffee from Ovenbird Bak-
ery will be served free while
supplies last, Walton said.
“We’ll have lots of plants,
crafts, and our lady that
cooks tacos and all kinds of
neat stuff right there on the
spot,” she said. “She usually
has a hot dog wrapped in
bacon (for sale).”
Farther downtown, Inde-
pendence Riverview Market
will also be open from 9
a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday.
In its fourth year, it has
grown to include a new
pork vendor as well as wine
tasting, market manager
Sue Barker said.
“We’ll have a little bit of
everything,” she said. “If
people have been working
on their garden beds, we’re
What: Original Inde-
pendence Farmers Mar-
ket and Independence
Riverview Market.
When: Saturdays, 9
a.m. to 2 p.m., through
November.
Where: Umpqua Bank
parking lot (Original In-
dependence Farmers
Market) and Riverview
Park (I ndependence
Riverview Market).
For more informa-
tion: Both markets have
Facebook pages, where
they post photos and
pictures of what’s avail-
able. Or call Martha Wal-
ton (Original Independ-
ence Farmers Market) at
503-881-9950 or Malinda
Bermudez (Riverview
Market) at 503-910-8193.
going to have the plants for
them.”
Generally speaking, peo-
ple are looking for good
strong plants that have
been grown locally to trans-
plant into their own gar-
dens, Barker said, and those
plants may be found at the
market.
Broiler chickens, bacon
and pork chops may be
found alongside honey,
goat soap, eggs, cheese and
wine — all locally grown
and made, Barker added.
New this year, a commu-
nity table will allow farmers
to sell their goods on con-
signment if they are too
busy to man a booth at the
market each week.
The only thing really miss-
ing is yeast bread and baked
goods, Barker said, but the
gluten-free table will return.
Itemizer-Observer
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