Lion Andy Bakr of the Eugene Downtown Lions works
on the upkeep of the Pocket Park
Club Keeps Pocket Park Well Groomed
The Pocket Park, located at the intersection of 24th Avenue and the Amazon Parkway, is aptly named: it is really just a small pocket in sprawling Amazon Park. It is, however, a key spot for runners, bike riders, walkers, and pathway commuters.
All of these exercise fanatics and travelers meet at this spot because it is at the confluence of a bark-chip running trail and a wide, cement bike-path. Just across 24th Avenue is a large parking lot and public restroom, so plenty of walkers and runners start their workouts right here.
The park features a wooden kiosk and bulletin board where running/walking news is posted, and runners stop to stretch before and after workouts and to use the chinning bars. The kiosk is surrounded by bark dust to provide a soft, weed-free surface.
That, of course, is where the Eugene Downtown Lions come in. Venerable Lion lady Marion McDow is in charge of the periodic clean-up of the area, assisted by numerous volunteers on designated Saturday mornings. Weed pulling is a never-ending task, and the Lions also keep the lawn edged and the grass mowed.
In fact, long-time Lion John Hamson regularly shows up on his own, bringing his own mower, to keep the grass looking good. Lion Andy Bakr invariably runs the edger, and Marion and her daughter, Lion Jolayne McDow, have done numerous repairs to the wood structure and painted it to keep it looking nice.
It was Lion Jolayne who arranged for the Hammer Lumber Company to donate lumber to create a border to box in the bark-dust area surrounding the kiosk. Keeping the area weed-free and filled with fresh bark-dust is an ongoing task.
Besides the kiosk area and grass maintenance, there are other jobs to do at Pocket Park. Over the years, the Lions have planted four red alder trees and a number of native flowering plants along the chain-link fence.
Then there is the problem of invasive non-native plants at the park. The chief nemesis is the ubiquitous Himalayan blackberry, with its large, nasty thorns and extensive root system. The Lions have expended considerable time and effort over the years trying to eradicate or at least limit this pest.
In fact, Lion Jolayne once had a little fun with the blackberry work. She brought some of the large, powerful roots to a Lions luncheon and named them for various Lions, including current Lions Frank Alderson and Len Calvert. She named another root after her notoriously foul-mouthed Aunt Hazel.
Lions Jolayne and Marion are not the only members of the McDow family to help with this project. Marion’s grand-daughter Elizabeth Taft and her husband Dwayne Taft helped rebuild the deteriorating stretching equipment.
All of this work began for the Lions in 2005 under the leadership of Matt McRae, who at that time was volunteer coordinator for the Eugene parks. At first, it was a monthly project, but over the years it has become a less frequent activity due to difficulties in arranging times when equipment and supervision are available from the city.
But, when a work session can be scheduled, a loyal group of regulars shows up. In addition to Lions John Hamson and Andy Bakr, Bob Rust has been particularly dependable. Other frequent workers have included Lions Joy Troutman, Jim Bradford, Wayne Musgrove, Diane Landon, Don Bowers, Frank Alderson, the late Al Bedbury and Dave Evans, and, in recent years, Gloria Hodges, Jim Newton, and Bill Baxter. Many more have helped during the five years of the project.
This work was especially important during the recent Olympic Track and Field Trials held at Eugene’s Hayward Field. The event brought many out-of-town visitors to Eugene, including lots of fitness fanatics. The Lions spruced up the Pocket Park as part of the city’s effort to impress and welcome the visitors to “Track Town, U.S.A.”
Like many jobs we all do, the work at Pocket Park will never be done. It is an ongoing project to keep it looking nice and providing for the needs of Eugene’s army of runners, walkers, and bikers. The EDLC is proud of its part in this important work.
Reporter: Lion Jim Newton
