The Forest Park Volunteers and Forest Park came about on 1500 acres of city land in the Jackson Creek Watershed about 2008. Early work in the park was completed with grants and donations until 2013, when volunteers, under the guidance of Public Works, took over day-to-day trails and park maintenance. Besides care of hiking and biking trails, the volunteers have helped construct footbridges, shelters, and informational kiosks, and have placed nearly 40 benches for visitors’ use. Volunteers also spearhead map production and make and install most park signs. Cooperative endeavors are key to park success with Boy Scout troops and school groups pitching in.
An interpretive Wetlands area is being developed and extensive restoration work in highly erode-able areas is underway. Native trees and shrubs are introduced yearly, particularly on the de-commissioned Jacksonville City reservoir dam. Projects are undertaken to protect the watershed from eroded material entering the creeks.
Over 30 miles of trail connect everything from the historic Bullis Rail grade to mining ditches for hydraulic mining, to former motorcycle tracks, to abandoned logging haul and skid roads. Volunteers monitor trails for damage caused by overuse and work to keep trails brushed out and as free of poison oak as possible. Trail grades are adjusted, widened, and occasionally re-routed as wear-and-tear dictates.
School groups, hiking clubs, and Boy Scout troops often request interpretive hikes and the volunteers are happy to oblige. The volunteers also assist Jacksonville Woodlands projects when needed.
For information, contact Clayton Gillette at 541-890-2738 or gillette@jeffnet.org.