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HomeMy WebLinkAboutJC Parks History Info for April 2025 TourJefferson County's Parks A short history of our County Parks & Recreation Facilities. By Marge Samuelson, November 16, 2012 Edited for the April 23, 2025 JCPRAB tour by including only the parks on the tour, re-ordering and reformatting. The parks are an important part of Jefferson County and according to the Parks & Recreation website they are responsible for nineteen county facilities which include not just parks but the Port Townsend Recreation Center, Lake Leland Park & Campground, Bob Bates Little League Field, Beausite Lake, N.W. Kiwanis Camp, Hicks Shine Park and Boat Ramp, Larry Scott Trail and Memorial Field. These facilities are also supported with help from community organizations, the business community and individuals. With this series I will give a little history about these facilities and where they are today. County Courthouse Park A grassy field before 1940, this park has become one of the most photographed parks in Jefferson County. Block 66, L.B. Hastings First Addition, the little park, tennis, basketball and grassy area on Washington Street across from the county courthouse was a vacant lot in 1940. In December of 1940, the Jefferson County Commissioners met to listen to interested citizens to voice objections to the proposed park project. Because the county was selling a great deal of its property, mostly foreclosed for nonpayment of property taxes, this block was set aside from sale by the county. The meeting was to let those opposed to it being withheld for a park to meet on the 21st of December at 10 a.m. to express any objections. The vision for the park was a tennis court, recreation equipment, also a public park and playground. Evidently there were no objections for it was announced on December 26th the commissioners were to go ahead with their park plan. They budgeted $1,000 for the park, another $2,000 to $2500 would be needed to build the tennis courts. In January of 1941 the playfield was begun. Tennis has been popular in Port Townsend for a long time, in 1899 the courts were by the Redmen's Hall on Maple Avenue [Tyler Street]. A club was organized in 1913 and another court was available at Taylor and Lincoln [Littlefield's Field] by 1919, and the Fort Worden courts were opened in 1922. A new county tennis club was formed in 1940. In April of 1941 it was announced that the Courthouse Park tennis courts would be built. In April the concrete was poured and by June they were opened to the public. The wire fence was replaced and new lines were painted in May of 1947. The Park, located at 1820 Jefferson St. is part of the Adopt-A-Park program and has been adopted by Jefferson Community School. It is one of the most photographed parks, popular with tennis players, basketball players, dog walkers and picnic goers. Port Townsend Recreation Center The Rec center and the grounds of the entire community center are a Jefferson County Park. This place has been the center of events in Port Townsend for over fifty years. The property where the Port Townsend Recreation Center is located was first owned by Captain Enoch S. Fowler who in 1867, donated lots six and eight of block one hundred thirty-six of the original townsite, a central location, where a suitable school building could be erected. The land was donated to School District number one, of Jefferson County. In 1884 the remainder of the block was bought from various individuals, $1,950 was the cost for the remaining six lots. The old building was sold and removed, and an eight-room, two-story frame structure replaced it. George E. Starrett, local builder, did the work. The building was provided with a lofty bell tower and four spiral stairways. It was called Central School. The school was used as a High School until Lincoln School was built in the early 1890s. In the 1930s the Central school building was used temporarily during repairs at Lincoln. In the early 1940s it was used by the Office of Price Administration a program started during World War II and was called the War Agencies Building and housed practically all of Jefferson Counties war time activities. The building burned in September of 1943, all that was saved was the gymnasium. The old building had been remodeled several years earlier by the National Youth Administration and was valued at $7,150. The insurance settlement was $7,983 after deducting the value of the gymnasium which was $2,470. In January of 1944 it was announced that pending approval, work would begin within 60 days on a one-story structure to be used as a community recreation center. Funding for the project included $5,000 of local money, $3400 from School District #43 and $16,000 from the city of Port Townsend. The Federal Works Agency was asked to contribute $25,000. Plans called for the utilization of the main floor of the fire-swept old high school building, inspectors had determined that damage to the floor was not severe and the boiler was unharmed. The Gymnasium was miraculously saved and plans called to re-floor and re-roof the building and install showers and dressing rooms for athletic purposes. The plans called for a single large community room with several smaller rooms around two sides of it, a kitchen was included. The smaller rooms were to be used for care of children and other activities. The tentative plans called for the construction of tennis courts and a wading pool for youngsters on the grounds adjacent to the building. In November of 1944 a contract was let for the New Care Center, and William Gorsegner, a Port Angeles contractor was awarded the contract with a low bid of $31,600. Construction had to be started by November 27 in order to get the $20,000 in government funds which covered about two thirds of the cost. The facility was to provide day care for eighty children. Slightly more than $10,000 was received from the federal government for operation of the center and to provide instructors. In March of 1945 the building was dedicated as a living memorial to the veterans of World War II. Through the years changes have been made, the child care center was discontinued after World War II ended and women left the work force to become stay at home mom's again. The Community Center is housed in the upper part of the building and is used for many activities including parties, dances, sports events, meetings, classes and more. The Recreation Center is the bottom floor and the Gymnasium. It is home to the offices of the Jefferson County Recreation programs, gymnastic area and outdoor playground. The center was closed due to budget constraints for a short time and reopened July 5, 2011, check their website for open/closed times. It is located at 620 Tyler Street in Port Townsend. The youth of Port Townsend have used this facility for dances, sports, and a friendly place to get together for many years. I remember in the late 1950s attending a dance there with my first boyfriend. My children played recreation sports there and took advantage of the foosball table along with their friends. Now it is my grandchildren's turn, I am glad it is still there for today's youth. Jefferson County Memorial Athletic Field A Jefferson County property inside the Port Townsend City limits, Memorial Field at one time was a lagoon. When the first white settlers arrived in Port Townsend and staked their claims, the area they platted for a city had two portions, a flat, composed of beach and rather marshy ground, backed by a plateau that could be reached by scaling a bluff. The flat area where the present memorial field is was at that time cut in two by a lagoon. S'Klallam & Chimakum Indians numbering about five hundred were living on the beach above high tide. Their homes were built of cedar planks fastened to uprights, with native rope made from sapling roots. Woven mats were used for doors. As they moved along the Straits following the fish, this was a temporary village, traditional used each year as the Salmon returned to the streams. The city grew and it's need for more downtown land just before the "boom days" became important for the development. At some point between 1880 and 1890 the bluff was removed and added as fill in the lagoon area. St. John's Episcopal Church, which had been on the bank for many years was removed to its present location on Jefferson & Tyler in 1885. By 1890 the Chinese Community, various saloons and a house of ill repute occupied the property, but in 1900 the buildings were destroyed in a serious fire. In later years a small area was used for baseball games, and was called Norby Field. In 1935 a Port Townsend Leader editorial appeared, "Natural Athletic Area Proposed" Coincident with the development of the block North of the Eagles' Hall [Now Jefferson School] on Washington Street comes a new proposal that merits more investigation. This is the cutting away of Quincy Street grade between Washington & Jefferson streets so the present field can be extended through two blocks. It is believed by the conceivers of the idea that sufficient room can be obtained to allow any kind of sport to be played on this enlarged area and that the entire boundaries may be made into whatever bleachers, grandstand, or parking space is needed to make of the tract a natural amphitheater. Such dirt as is in the Quincy Street fill could be put over the floor of the area to raise it above the point where seepage water would interfere. Adequate drainage can easily be provided. It is said that owners of lots in the area, including the county owned portions, would listen favorable to such a program of civic improvement. The popularity of such a place is foreordained. One has but to visit the lot the nights of softball games to see what possibilities exist for this improvement." The city planning commission considered the project in November of 1935 with the idea that it could be a WPA[Works Progress Administration] project which would be a dual purpose development, one to beautify that portion of the downtown district and the other for public entertainment such as athletic events of all kinds. The land included three blocks, Nos. 53, 54 and 92, Original Townsite, lying between Washington Street and the bluff between Quincy and Monroe Streets. The deal involved vacation of some and regrading of other parts of the streets in the area, the grade of the field was raised two feet by the regrading work, without involving serious curtailment of street service. Madison Street was vacated under the preliminary plan between Jefferson and Washington Streets. The majority of the lots in the block were held by Jefferson County on tax foreclosures. It was hoped that lots owned by private interest could be purchased for a nominal sum. In May of 1936 the Leader ran an article, "Players Urged to Help Clear Softball Field" The request was for softball players to put the field in condition for the coming season. In 1940 a request for the creation of a civic field was asked, and in 1946 the Junior Chamber of Commerce met with city council and Jefferson County Board of Commissioners to discuss plans for the new ballpark and events field. It was proposed that the field as an honor to the men and women of Jefferson County who had served in the military, the county tagged $4,750 for the project. By this time WPA funds were no longer available. In 1946 Construction of Memorial Field was started. Port Townsend Leader September 12, 1946 "Under direction of County Engineer Jack Lay, a crew was on the site Monday cleaning out old bulk heading located at various places around edges of the two block area. A county bulldozer was on the job this week removing the Madison Street fill. Earth removed from the fill is being spread over the area and will raise the floor of the field an average of about 18 inches. The fill contains about 5,000 yards of earth and Lay expected the earth moving project and bringing the area to grade level will involve about three weeks work. A crew of about seven men was on the job. While the work is going on no part of the field will be usable, the engineer said. During the past few months one block was used as the city softball field. Immediate plans for the park's development call for removing the Madison Street fill between Washington and Jefferson and bringing to grade the two-block continuous area thus created. The floor of the field will be 500 feet in length and 200 feet in width. The field will have a 12-inch crown. Installation of drains is expected to get under way after grading is completed. Storm sewers will be located along both Jefferson and Monroe streets to tidewater to carry off drainage that now flows into the field area from higher adjacent ground. The city council approved a $1,600 emergency appropriation to cover expenses of installing the drains. The actual appropriation is subject to an emergency resolution." By March of 1947 a grant was approved for the memorial field project. In September of 1947 Cotton corporation won the bid for bleachers at a cost of $25,443, lights were added and the first game under the lights was the Port Townsend High School vs Port Angeles, which Townsend won 7-0. There were 1500 fans who paid $865.36. The use of the field was $70, Federal and city admission tax was $172.85. Admission paid for lighting and the high school collected more than $600. Another source of income was advertisement on the fence, $50 for a portion of the fence. It must have been an exciting time for Jefferson County residents. There is a plaque at Memorial Field giving the names of World War I & II veterans that the field was meant to honor, sons, brother, uncles, cousins, friends lost in the wars. Two cannons stand at the entrance of Memorial Field the names listed alphabetically, names of men gone to war for their country, never expecting that their home town would one day honor them. Dedicated May 21, 1948, as a lasting tribute in honor of those from Jefferson County who sacrificed their lives for their country in the two World Wars. World War I: 1917 - 1918 James A. Anderson, Fred W. Anderson, John W. Anderson, Edwin A. Bartlett George W. Chadwick and Allen W. Clements, Richard C. Hill, John H. Reczuck, Louie Kunz, Louis P. Mutty, Samuel P. Putnam and Frances C. Voderburg. [These names are also on the memorial plaque at the Jefferson County Courthouse] World War II: 1941 - 1945 Woodrow Andrus, Charles F. Berkshier, Joseph Burton Bowman, James Broshear, Homer Cameron, Marvin Cays, Jack Currie, Morris Eldridge, Robert C. Ely, Howell Emley, Melvin E. Glen, John M. Gray, James Hulburt, Howard Johnston, Ralph H. Kiel, Thomas A. Maraldo, Bruce Matheson, Jr., Jack L. McInnes, William H. McNeil, Orivel K. Morris, John J. Odell Jr., Edward L. Paddock, Richard L. Pierson, Joseph A. Pisczsek, LeRoy C. Porter, William H. Poston, Arthur C. Ramsdell, Luz G. Rogers, Merritt S. Sanders, Chester A. Smith, Donald Snook, David H. Strong, Theodore A. Stuart, David H. Swartz, Harry Fredrick Valliere Jr., Walter Wills, Lonnie B. Wimberly. Memorial Athletic Field is located at 550 Washington Street, Port Townsend, it has a full-size football field, baseball field, stadium with seating, roof, team rooms, showers, restrooms and maintenance shed. A state of the art in ground automatic irrigation system, was donated and installed in 2010 by a group led by Rich Stapf Construction, and Roger Hall of Discovery Bay Landscaping. The labor for the work was donated by the firefighters of East Jefferson County Fire and Rescue. Rich Stapf Jr., Roger Hall and the Port Townsend School District along with a large group of volunteers maintained the field for 18 months when there was no funding for it, from January 1, 2010 to June 30, 2011. Today, field maintenance is paid for by funds from Jefferson County, from fees for field use, and by the City of Port Townsend, using revenue from the new .3 of one percent sales tax that past as Proposition One in November of 2010, funding began in June of 2011 and is scheduled to last as long as May of 2015. The field is used for many events besides Jefferson County sports, the Rhododendron Carnival, Kiwanis Car Show, Rakers Car Show, Andy Mackie Music Festival and other events make use of the facility. Memorial Athletic Field has been a place where many important events have occurred for my family, soccer, baseball, football, among others, but not just Port Townsend, Chimacum school sports, Rec center sports, it's always been there for us. When I sat in the bleachers watching my children play soccer, high school sports, recreation sports, I see not only my children and grandchildren, but nieces and nephews, friends children, the excitement of winning a game, the rain and wind, the cold nights, the families gathered to cheer on their children. I also see the Indians camped at Point Hudson, the Chinese gathered, most without families but providing services for the community, the carnival, the fun, a place for community and family. North Beach County Park Once the site of the Port Townsend City Garbage dump, North Beach Park is one of the county's most popular destinations for picnics, beach walking and bird watching. A residential area that faces on the Straits west of Fort Worden the name North Beach refers to the northern shore of Kah Tai Valley across which coastal Indians used to portage their canoes to Port Townsend Bay. The early settlers referred to it as West Beach, perhaps because it was west as well as north of the early town. [City of Dreams] In the 1880s Lawrence Smith purchased 100 acres at North Beach, improved the drainage system, and added a cistern and clay pipes. Smith was a butcher not a farmer and leased the swampy area east of the park to a group of Chinese. The area became known as the Chinese Gardens. The Chinese built a tide gate that allowed water from underground sources to run off at low tide, shutting out the saltwater thus draining the area and making it useful for agriculture. During the late 1890s it was rumored it was a place for illegal Chinese to stay when they came from Canada. They would work there for a short time and would eventually become part of the Chinese community, working mostly as laborers. In 1904 Smith built a house across the street from what is now the park. The Chinese continued to run the farm, selling their produce to local people. According to James McCurdy in his book "By Juan de Fuca's Strait" in 1925 Lawrence Smith fell into a cistern, caught cold and barricaded himself inside his house, McCurdy and a neighbor found him and broke in to take him to the hospital. Smith had never married and lived a hermit’s life, but McCurdy, a banker, had transacted business for him and knew he had bonds hidden in the house. He found them plus some cash and notes, and turned them over to the bank. Smith died the next morning and his estate in the sum of $106,500 went to his heirs in Kentucky, not an insignificant sum for a man who was so uneducated he could not read and could barely write his own name. In 1938 there was money allotted to build new parks in Jefferson County and North Beach was eligible through the WPA, but the park was never built. The city garbage dump which had been there for many years had been moved to Middle Point [McCurdy Point] shortly before this. The land was originally owned by the city but by 1955 when Glen Lopeman and Byron Ruby helped to start the North Beach Community Club, the land was owned by the county. This group cleared the land, built restrooms and made the park so it was usable by the public. A surplus building from Fort Worden was obtained and used for a clubhouse. As a kid I spent many hours at North Beach walking the beach, swimming [brr!] and picnicking with my family and with my own children and grandchildren. The park is currently part of the Adopt-a-park program and has been adopted by the North Beach community and Fort Worden State Park. The community mows the park, cleans the garbage and makes repairs, and Fort Worden State Park monitors usage and removes the garbage. There is a picnic shelter with two picnic tables, two barbecue grills, three benches, toilet and water. There is also access to the beach for Kayakers. This is a popular place for beach combers to walk along the beach to Middle Point where the garbage dump was moved and search for treasure at what is now known as "Glass Beach."