Tag: changes are Laurelhurst Park

Farewell to Giants

Dear Liza,

Walking around Laurelhurst Park last evening, we came upon a sad sight.

This enormous pine tree had been cut down, sawn into sections, and pushed off the path. It was an official act, obviously, of the Portland Parks Department. I have to assume they did it for a good reason. Maybe the tree was leaning, or suffering from a disease, or in danger of falling.

Still, it makes me sad. I was able to count the rings and learned that this giant was about 90 years old. That is a long time to live and contribute to the beauty and life of a city, and I am grateful to have known it for a while.

We continued through the park, thinking about how quickly time slips away. The sunset over Firwood Lake was pink and perfect, for just a few minutes.

And very soon, the sun was down and the lights came on, making the park into a magical place.

It was time to head home.

Love,

Grandma Judy

Another Change at the Park

Dear Liza,

Our Laurelhurst Park is always changing. Old trees fall, new ones are planted. Ducks migrate in and out, rains flood the low spots, and leaves sprout, grow, and fall. Banks of azaleas blaze into bloom and slowly fade.

There is a new Aptos redwood planted at the south end of Firwood Lake.

We named him Rene, after the Pastor at Twin Lakes Church in Aptos, California.

Another change was a bit sadder. There was this weird old stump near the west entrance to the park. I don’t know when the tree came down, but it has been in this magical sort of shape for years. Folks have tucked gnomes and bunches of flowers inside, or hidden Easter eggs for hunts.

A few months ago, we noticed that the hole had been made bigger. Then, a few weeks later, someone had tried to start a fire inside it. The fire hadn’t caught, but the park managers must have decided that the stump was no longer safe.

This evening, we saw that the stump had been taken down, and I’m not sure what the final decision about it will be. I know the park mangers want to keep the park, and everyone who visits it, safe. Still, it makes me sad.

So that’s the news from here, for now.

Love,

Grandma Judy