The Applegater

Page 4 of 5 electrical design for eventual RV hookups. New educational trail signs go up throughout the park. Kids from Applegate and Ruch Schools participate in many events, including clearing blackberries, seeding pollinator gardens, and bedding native riparian habitat. A consortium o f n e i g h b o r s o n N o r t h Applegate and Kubli Roads purchases new barbecue grills. Applegate Trails Association (ATA) restores all the park trails. I n Ju n e o f 2 0 1 6 , t h e community celebrates the twentieth anniversary of its salvation of the park. The well-attended event includes the dedication of memorial benches to Shipley and Laananen and the official opening of a new playground and playscape designed by the "Applegate Moms" and their kids, led by Michelle LaFave. e playscape includes the park's first piece of art—Tuffy the Turtle—crafted by local artist Jeremy Criswell and named after Tuffy Decker, who donated his construction labor. Almost $60,000 has been raised from throughout the community. e following year, Jackson County offers to take back responsibility for managing the park. A Greater Applegate (AGA), the renamed umbrella nonprofit originally called GACDC, accepts the offer in a unanimous board decision. e new Park Enhancement Committee (PEC) continues the mission of putting the community stamp on the park. In the works are an art walk designed by renowned metal artist Cheryl Garcia, a tile mural on the new playground restroom, a children's interactive sundial display, fresh landscaping by the restrooms, more pollinator gardens designed by local school kids, new park benches designed Weekend patron enjoys one of the new barbecue grills. and built by the Grants Pass High School metal shop students, and a large array of solar panels—all funded and lined up. e PEC is planning a host of future projects, including a science learning center, a water-play area, and more native plant restorations. For its part, Jackson County Parks just finished renovating the day-use restrooms and repairing the irrigation system. ey will soon begin seeking funds for an expensive RV upgrade to the campground. e partnership is in good shape. Golden Jubilee celebration in July To celebrate the park's history, the AGA is planning a Cantrall Buckley Park Golden Jubilee. is big event, on Saturday, July 14, exactly 50 years after the park opened, will celebrate the history of the Applegate Valley and the community spirit that has kept Cantrall Buckley Park alive. (See more information on page 1 of the Applegater Summer 2018.) Tom Carstens • 541-846-1025 e author thanks the following park old- timers for their help in compiling this article: Rick Barclay, Bud Childers, Jack Duggan, Bob Komody, Paul Korbulic, Neil Ledward, Ellen Levine, and Joe Strahl. All photos provided by Tom Carstens. Applegate parents plan the new playground. Michelle LaFave and helpers cut the ribbon to officially open the new playground. Tuffy Decker prepares the ground for the new playscape. Tuffy the Turtle was named after Tuffy Decker and created by artist Jeremy Criswell. Children enjoy the new playground. Park Committee makes plans in 2004.

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