For the past 21 years, on a weekend in April, throngs of Jacksonville Woodlands’ users have laced up their walking shoes and hit the trails in celebration of an amazing community resource. On Saturday, April 11, at 9:30am, they’ll do it again. This year’s annual Hike-A-Thon celebrates the successful private and public agency partnerships in the development, management and maintenance of the Jacksonville Woodlands Park and Trail System.
The event this year will be open to all who wish to participate and the normal registration fee will be waived. Participants will meet at Doc Griffin Park in Historic Jacksonville. They may choose from two guided hikes on the Woodlands’ trail system. One will be a slower-paced, shorter walk, led by JWA Executive Director Larry Smith (in photo). Larry will be stopping at interesting points along the route to discuss the plants and biodiversity along the trail, as well as the historical significance from gold rush days. The second hike will be led by JWA Board member Kandee McClain. This will be a longer, faster-paced hike. Both will end back at Doc Griffin for a picnic lunch, provided by Jacqueline and Dr. Jason Williams of Jacksonville Chiropractic Clinic. Coffee, provided by Michael and Mary Kell of Goodbean Coffee, will be available in the morning. Woodlands maps & brochures, t-shirts, tote bags and coffee mugs will be for sale with proceeds used to support the JWA. The coffee mugs were designed and crafted by JWA founder, current board member, and master potter, Ray Foster.
The hikes will be preceded by a short celebration of the Jacksonville Woodlands Association’s 25 year history—a history made possible by partnerships. The JWA is a local community success story founded in the fall of 1989 for the protection and preservation of Jacksonville’s history, hillside view shed, and woodland habitat. It includes the Beekman Arboretum, nearly 16 miles of trails, and historic sites and features dating back to Jacksonville’s early pioneer mining days. A key to the success of the Jacksonville Woodlands story was the development of public agency and community partnerships. The Woodlands General Management Plan was completed through a strategic planning process, facilitated by the National Parks Service, and involved representatives from the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), City of Jacksonville, Jackson County Parks, and Southern Oregon Land Conservancy and Jacksonville Woodlands Association. The Plan provides the Vision and Goals for the development, preservation, and maintenance of the Jacksonville Woodlands.
Throughout the past 25 years, the JWA has relied on citizen volunteers, working with the JWA partners, who have contributed countless hours in support of the Jacksonville Woodlands. Most recent efforts include the construction of a fence by two local Eagle Scout candidates protecting French Gulch Dam & Spillway, construction and installation of a new Woodland’s kiosk at Peter Britt Gardens/Sarah Zigler Trailhead, the installation of two historical panels along the Sarah Zigler Interpretive Trail, trail maintenance/weed-whacking, and noxious weed control headed by JWA’s “Weed Wrangler,” Bob Budesa.
Special acknowledgement and gratitude is given to former JWA President Phil Gahr, Executive Director Larry Smith and current Board member Ray Foster for their tireless energy and determination in support of the Jacksonville Woodlands. Ray and Larry were founding members of the JWA in 1989 and both continue as members of the JWA to this day.
Larry Smith and Phil Gahr, in particular, were the driving force in the successful completion of the Jacksonville Woodlands Historic Park & Trail System Plan which guided the acquisition of land along with the development of the Woodland Trail system. Over the last 25-years, Larry has continually served as a JWA co-founder, Board member, President, and now Executive Director. Larry is considered the father of the JWA.
Finding a way to acquire the land, building and maintaining those trails aren’t the only accomplishments of the JWA over the last 25 years, however. New trail signs have been recently designed and installed at trail junctions by former JWA Board member and volunteer Will Naumann. In addition, there are strategically-placed benches that provide opportunities for rest and contemplation. Information kiosks, educational interpretative panels and displays, maps and brochures offer visitors a chance to learn about what they’re encountering as they walk. The Rich Gulch Mining area and the Sarah Zigler Interpretative trail have been recognized by the National Park Service. A native plant arboretum designed and developed by former JWA Board member Alan Horobin was established adjacent to the historic CC Beekman House.
As far as the next 25 years are concerned, the future goals of the JWA will be the continued protection, maintenance and promotion of this local community effort and regional resource. Those are goals which will continue to need the partnership of government agencies, and most importantly, the community and Woodlands users.
The JWA Board would like to thank the JWA partners: City of Jacksonville, Jackson County Parks, Bureau of Land Management and the Southern Oregon Land Conservancy whose active support and ongoing contributions play a vital role in the Jacksonville Woodlands success. And, thank you to the JWA membership and Jacksonville community for the generous financial contributions which provide the financial resources to sustain the Jacksonville Woodlands! The Hike-A-Thon is one way to say “thank you.”
Photos: Jeanena Whitewilson