The Applegater

Applegater Fall 2018 15 BY JANIS MOHR-TIPTON News from the park This summer, on July 14, we had a wonderful fiftieth birthday celebration at Cantrall Buckley, our community's beautiful forested park, in commemoration of its dedication on July 14, 1968, as a Jackson County Park. Many thanks to all of you who attended. Ma n y p e o p l e s t o p p e d by t h e park booth and met Mary Buckley Mikkelsen, a descendent of Lewis Buckley, who donated land for the park in 1965. Always eager to share her family's story, she will have a display about her family history at the Ruch Branch Library from September 25 through October 25. Art in the Park O n e o f t h e m o s t e x c i t i n g enhancements to the park is the sculpture exhibit, Art in the Park, by metal artist Cheryl Garcia. Her first piece, a 12-foot-tall mock orange steel sculpture, will be installed in November of this year. By spring of 2020, she will install ten more pieces throughout the park. Local and surrounding community members and the Oregon Community Foundation have thrown their support behind this project. One of the sculptures has the distinction of being supported by multiple community members. Contact me if you would like to donate to this piece of art. If you've taken a walk on the paths just south of the newly renovated restroom in the lower part of the park, you've seen three footbridges designed by Jackson County's first parks director, Neil Ledward. These footbridges were built after the park's land was purchased in the mid 1960s. In June, Cantrall Buckley Park volunteers Jerry Trottmann, Jeff Martin, Karin Barclay, and I replaced and stained the handrailings, which were worn or damaged from falling oak limbs in spring. When the smoky weather clears, other volunteers will return to restain the original redwood pickets. SOLVE Riverside Cleanup On Saturday, September 29, we'll be working to remove the invasive Vinca vine, commonly called periwinkle. Save the date and join us at the park for a SOLVE (Stop Oregon Litter and Vandalism) Riverside Cleanup from 9 am to 11:30 am. Families and individuals are welcome to help with general cleanup and opening up more natural habitat around the footbridges. ey can also learn about the future revitalization of the turtle habitat. Contact me for more information or register for the event at solveoregon.org. Another way to get involved is to join the team of community members who will build a large sundial in the solar educational area near the new solar array being built in August- September by True South Solar. is project is possible through the joint efforts of Pacific Power's Blue Sky grant, Jackson County Parks, and A Greater Applegate Park Enhancement Committee. Contact me if you are interested in being on the sundial team. e Park Enhancement Committee is interested in knowing what you like to do at the park and what suggestions you have for future enhancements. We want to hear stories about your or your family's park experiences. You can contact us at janis.agapark@gmail.com. One of the committee's team members will respond. You could also complete A Greater Applegate's community survey on the Applegate Valley Connect website. Go to applegateconnect.org and click on "Projects." Read our first story, from an avid and regular bird watcher and volunteer at Cantrall Buckley Park, on this page. Visit applegateconnect.org (click on "News and Stories") to read more of her story and see more photos. Janis Mohr-Tipton Chair, A Greater Applegate Park Enhancement Committee 541-846-7501 janis.agapark@gmail.com May 11 was a banner day for spring birding at Cantrall Buckley Park. Strolling quietly along the paths and bridges near the playground area, I was startled by the low whine of a prop plane buzzing by, which, of course, turned out to be a Rufous Hummingbird. Following the route of this lovely little dinosaur, I was overjoyed to find that she was building a nest. I watched for nearly 30 minutes as she flew into the nest, landed gently, then began poking tiny pieces of lichen and even spider silk into the bowl. After her hard work, she sat on the nest for a minute or so preening, then flew off to gather more materials, returning at least five times during my watch. By July, breeding activity was certainly over, but baby season is still hanging on. During a six-week period, I saw three different House Wrens carrying food into three different nests (two of them in nest boxes and one in a crack in a tree), a young Robin with a spotted chest, fledging Spotted Towhees, numerous goslings, young Common Mergansers, and Dark-eyed Juncos warning me away from their little hatchling, who was clinging precariously to the side of a tree. I look forward to watching the changing world of the park and anticipate a lovely fall. Happy Cantrall Buckley birding to all of you. Anne Goff • 541-899-1036 ~ Bird Notes ~ Rufous Hummingbird poking lichen and spider silk into her nest at Cantrall Buckley Park. Photo: Anne Goff.

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