The Applegater

Memories of Cantrall Buckley Park From long-time park patrons "I surely cannot recall the number of times I took my children and other neighborhood children to that beautiful place to dip in the river, climb the barrels, and explore the magical little walkways near the playground. After my children moved out, I found that I almost never went to the park. I soon began to miss it. e strong scent of the river, especially when it was perfumed in spring and summer with the shrubs that grow near the water's edge, had such a powerful impact on me. I can still smell it when I'm not even there, and it is calming." "Twenty-two years ago, while my husband and I were picnicking at the riverside grassy lawn of the park on a hot summer day, dozens of violet-green swallows swooped in to hunt for the day over the gently flowing Applegate. Twenty-two years later, we continue to come back every season looking for unique bird sightings. Stop, relax, breathe, repeat. It never gets old and only gets better thanks to the multitudes of volunteers who have kept this gem of the Rogue Valley a continual joy to visit!" "It is our community park. What a beautiful stretch of river for the public to have access to! at is especially important because river access for the general public is very limited in our valley." "My dog and I logged many, many miles on the park trails over the years, and that was wonderful. But my favorite times were the outdoor movies and the strong feeling of community (and anticipation, waiting for dark). I have no recollection of what the movies were, but the blankets, lawn chairs, popcorn, and sleeping children stand out in my mind as what the park is all about." "On our first visit to Cantrall-Buckley Park, we were met at the entry by resident manager, Rick Barclay. When we asked Rick whether we should keep our dogs on leash, he replied, "You can let them off their leashes if they chase the geese off the lawn." For years to follow, Ginger happily accepted her regular duties of improving the condition of the park lawn. Although we consider Canadian geese to be beautiful creatures, we also appreciated finding clean areas of grass for our picnic blanket and not having to clean our shoes as often." "For years I have played with my children and our friends at Cantrall Buckley Park. I started before the kids were even born, dancing with my pregnant belly along the mesmerizing river, gazing at the beauty of the rocky outcroppings. I helped organize a group of families with young children to gather weekly on blankets in the sunny grass, to talk and share parenting stories, and watch our children blossom as members of the dynamic Applegate community. As our children grew from babes in arms to toddlers to little swinging monkeys, I felt safe and nurtured by the park's cool shelter of trees and the playground's old-school charm. I developed a strong connection to the park as a place of beauty and refuge, and as a community gathering spot." "In the 1970s I was sent from my home in the Applegate to 2North, the mental wing of Rogue Valley Hospital. I was inconsolably lonely and homesick. One day the patients on the ward were taken on an excursion in the country, to Cantrall Buckley Park. I was deeply affected. In that beautiful place I knew so well, under the trees and next to the river, I felt like I was home again. Catatonically unable to communicate with anyone, I was at last, in that place, at peace." "e best part of volunteering in the park was the association with such great people. Finding community spirit is such a treasure. I've never felt more alive than when I was working to make our park better. What a gem!" "Cantrall Buckley Park was one of the first places I visited in southern Oregon. What a beautiful respite next to the river. It embodied all of the peace and beauty of Oregon! Our Applegate community saw the value of public access to this beautiful treasure and made the commitment to keep the park despite the county's lack of resources. What a gift the Applegate community made possible for visitors and residents alike." "e park was plucked out of almost disappearing to a new community life. A great gathering of community stalwarts stepped up to completely take it on. And did! Hard slugging and work, joyous successes, and camaraderie made it a success all the way to this year. Now it's time to pass it back over to the county as a gem that will facilitate even more success and infrastructure. I was a board member for a while and enjoyed the wonderful people and creativity of it all firsthand. It's importance as a community gathering place is a paramount part of our whole community." From Bonnie Rinaldi, former GACDC chairperson "What made the experience a privilege was the opportunity to work with and get to know Dave Laananen, Laird Funk, Tom Carstens, and Rick Barclay. Each of these men gave generously and tirelessly of their time and talents to improve the park and make it a place that the Applegate community could enjoy and be proud of. So many hours, so much talent, and so much commitment on the part of each of these men inspired the rest of us to work harder." From Paul Korbulic, former parks director "Yahoo! When I walked out of the meeting, I felt like we had just been bailed out. A community group was willing to take on the task of operating and improving one of the most costly yet wonderful parks in our system. Had not been done anywhere to my knowledge. ank you, community group!" Tom Carstens makes memories of his own. Out goes the old playground. Artist Jeremy Criswell fundraises for the mural. New signage in the park. Page 5 of 5

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