Author: Columbia Valley Park and Recreation District

Welcome back to this week’s why parks matter to Columbia Valley resident’s post. This is the final memory we are sharing from Jessica Bee. This story took place in 2005 when Jessica had a six-year-old, 4-year-old, 2 ½-year-old, and two children under one.

Jessica explained that she was so grateful to have a local park only 1/8th of a mile away from her home when she had all of her young children. She was able to secure two babies to her front and back, place two in the stroller, and have the other one walk alongside. By the time she made it to the park with all of the kids, she felt like a champion – rightfully so! Having a park within close walking distance was essential for Jessica since her family only had one car. Her husband worked at the refinery and often worked 10 hours a day, including an hour commute each day. Her husband needed the car to commute two and from work, and Jessica needed an easy way to get her five kids outside to let their energy out. There was a small playground and green space at the complex where they lived. Still, Jessica explained that they needed a park where the kids could explore and play without the possibility of disrupting neighbors.

Jessica often took her children to the parks, pretty much every day they could. This frequent park activity allowed Jessica to become acquainted with the neighbors near the park. One day, Jessica and her kids walked to a park and saw a man with his son gathering apples and pears from the trees near their apartment. The two were familiar with each other since they both had kids and frequently this local park. The man explained that they were collecting fruit to make homemade cider; they had just got a cider press and invited Jessica and her kids to join them. All of the children gathered fruit and got to experience making homemade cider for the first time. At the end of the day, Jessica and the kids went home with a beautiful memory and a gallon of fresh cider.

Once the kids were at school age, they could walk to and from school with their friends, which was only ¼ of a mile away from home. The kids had gained experience and knowledge of the neighborhood through their many trips to local parks. Jessica explained that being able to walk to school significantly increased her children’s confidence in their capabilities. Jessica knows that having parks within walking distance of her home benefitted her children’s physical, emotional, and experiential development.

Welcome back! Community member Maureen Brown has shared some wonderful park memories she’s shared with her daughter. This story shows how impactful parks can be to a community.

“Parks have improved the quality of life for my daughter and myself in every neighborhood in which we have lived. When she was young and we lived in apartments and duplexes in Seattle, swinging, sliding and climbing in the park playground, learning to ride a bike in a safe environment, sitting together on a bench to watch and listen to birds and squirrels, discovering new plants and new friends, meeting dogs who were walking their people, were the primary ways that we had fun.

When she was older, my daughter and I attended outdoor concerts and movies in the park and watched events like the speed boat races on Lake Washington from the safety of a grassy knoll in a local park. In San Diego, where my grandchildren live in a single family home without a yard, they walk two blocks to a park almost every day, where they run full out to chase crows, to practice their soccer skills and then to rest and appreciate the shade of a real tree with other members of their family.

The variety of people that I have met in public parks, the great conversations we have had, the kids in the play pools and the dogs catching frisbees have all contributed to a happy life for me. In my dotage, I would love to be able to walk to a park, meet my neighbors, their kids and dogs, and increase my connections to my community.”

–Maureen Brown

Welcome to the third fond memory Jessica Bee has shared about why parks matter to her. This week we’ll be looking at a memory Jessica has about her children. Right now, Jessica has three teenage and two adult children.

When all of her children were roughly in their teen years, Jessica remembers that they were most excited when they had playground equipment they could engage with. CVPRD recognizes there are various kinds of park equipment, and not every park has to be centered on young children. CVPRD is devoted and committed to bringing neighborhood parks that will benefit everybody in the community.

Jessica shared that when her kids were teenagers, they would often organize get-togethers with their friends in parks. One time, her kids had a weekend game all the way in town at Cornwall Park, which is roughly a 50-60 minute drive away from Columbia Valley. Jessica shared that she recognizes that many of the parents in Columbia Valley juggle many responsibilities and may not have the time to transport their children that distance for a park.

Jessica believes that if there were more community parks in Columbia Valley, the local teenagers would have more opportunities to meet up with their friends. They could put on a play, plan out a sports game, train for the high school track team; the possibilities are endless. Jessica imagines how wonderful it would be if the teenagers in Columbia Valley could organize their own events and create their own experiences close to home.

Jessica believes that everyone in the community benefits when there are emotionally, mentally, and physically healthy people. Jessica recognizes that parks are not the only ingredient necessary for a happy and healthy life. Still, they do provide a special way to connect with one another and be physically well.

Welcome back to this week’s post on why parks matter to Columbia Valley residents. This week, Jessica Bee shared memories of her and her friends from when she was a teenager.

When Jessica was 17 years old, roughly 11th grade, she and her friends were hanging out and figuring out what to do. They decided that it would be fun to get together and have a picnic. Jessica and her friends got together at the local park, and each of them brought a dish of food to share amongst themselves. Jessica remembers sitting, chatting, and eating on a picnic blanket with all of her friends for hours that night. The friends were able to talk about their lives and plans for the future – who is going to college, who would be working for their parents, and so on. They even brought a frisbee and got to run around laughing and playing with one another.

Jessica explained that she and her friends got together at their local parks frequently. Sometimes they would walk on the paths and talk about their lives. Other times they would climb on top of the monkey bars, during times when children were not using the playground equipment, and chat amongst themselves.

Jessica recognizes that she would not have had these experiences or fond memories with her friends if she did not have parks in her neighborhood. Jessica mentioned that she is still in contact with these friends from the memory today. She expressed that she would one day love to invite those same friends to Columbia Valley and have a picnic at her very own local park again.

Welcome back to this week’s blog post! Today we have a personal park memory to share from CVPRD commissioner Carl Isom-McDaniel.

When Carl was a young child, around four or five, he remembers a park on Cottage Lake where he would take swimming lessons every summer. He knew that when he got older, he would have to dive off the high board at the end of the dock to be cleared to swim past the buoy line. He was intimidated by the thought but still looked forward to the day he could swim past the buoy line.

Carl and his brothers and sister would take 3-week swimming lessons during the summer. He thinks fondly of how his mother gave the children a dime to purchase penny candies after their lesson. Each time, Carl chose red licorice.

Determined to reach his swim goal, Carl was dedicated to his swimming lessons. When he was four years old, he learned how to float. By the time he was five, he had learned how to dog paddle and swim underwater. He remembers how difficult the lessons were, but also how rewarding it was to learn a new skill that he was proud of. He shared that his brothers and sister felt the same way about learning new skills from swimming lessons.

Since Carl was the oldest, he remembers how he would always have to learn things first, but he would always help his younger siblings with their lessons. Looking back, Carl realizes how great it was to help his siblings because he was learning more about swimming and strengthening his own skills.

After years of swim lessons at the park, when Carl was eleven, it was time for him to dive off the high board. Even though Carl had taken years of swimming lessons at this point, the dive was still intimidating. After some encouragement from his swim teachers and comfort knowing the lifeguard was on watch, Carl made the dive. From that moment on, Carl was cleared to swim past the buoy line.

Carl’s family moved the following year, and Carl has not swum at Cottage Lake since. However, Carl has and always will take the lessons and memories he made at the park. Setting goals, staying determined, achieving goals, and helping others along the way are great learning experiences that all children deserve.