What's Happening
Grant Monies Awarded for the Schoolhouse!
The Friends of Mildred Kanipe Park are extremely pleased to announce that we are the recipients of a $15,000 grant from the C. Giles Hunt Charitable Trust administered through Wells Fargo Bank. These funds are added to the $500 gift received from the Cow Creek Umpqua Indian Foundation earlier this year.
The planning phase of the English Settlement School Restoration Project, completing the site, construction and specification plans, will start immediately. A portion of the funds will be used to raise the building approximately three feet to facilitate the installation of a new concrete foundation. The building support beams will be inspected at that time to address any additional structural concerns. We hope to have this completed before winter arrives.
Remaining monies will fund the second phase which will start as soon as weather permits in the spring of 2011. This portion of the restoration project will include pouring a new concrete foundation and lowering the building to its original elevation. We will also replace the missing portion of the chimney. We will then be prepared for phase 3 of the project, the new roof.
A grant for the new roof has been submitted and results are pending. The English Settlement School Restoration Committee expects this funding request to be awarded sometime in November 2010.
The Friends has been working on this project periodically for the last few years and to have been granted these funds is absolutely thrilling to all of us. At long last we can see light at the end of a very long tunnel. Watch for updates on this web site as we progress!
Pioneer Gravesites may have been found!
We believe that, possibly, two pioneer women and 3 children were buried on the hill across the creek north of the Underwood barn. When Mildred purchased the land she took her cat and bulldozed the grave area, obliterating the evidence, "because she didn't want people snooping around on her property." Mildred had asked that the markers be restored after she died.
The location of the historic gravesite could not have been accomplished without the generous help of the Douglas County Chapter of The Gold Prospectors Association of America. Five members from the organization conducted a through search of the area using metal detectors. They concluded that this was undoubtedly the location of the burial site. Members conducting the search were Gary Sturgill, Chapter President, Carl Stone, Gary Grass, Michael W. Taylor and Robert L. Pace.
The Friends would like to express our thanks to these individuals for their time and efforts, in helping solve one part of the mystery surrounding this burial site. Further investigation to confirm these findings will require the use of Ground Penetrating Radar. We will be continuing this project when the funding becomes available
New Creek Crossing
Thanks to Jim Lee and The Douglas County Soil and Water Conservation, 7 new log structures were created in Bachelor Creek to slow down the flow, create fish habitat and reduce creek caused soil erosion. Additionally, a safe rocked water crossing for horses, cows and vehicles was created across the creek, south of the Bachelor Creek Bridge and west of the Underwood House. Thank you Jim!
Artist dicovered at Mildred's
Another activity at the park was uncovered when two of The Friend's board members were enjoying an early morning ride at the park. John Benjamin, a local renowed painter was creating a new painting of a tree and pasture scene at the park. Apparently, he has been painting at Mildred's for over 15 years. His artwork can be viewed and purchased at Sienna Ridge Winery off Hwy 5 near Rice Hill, or Tolly's in Oakland.
Dairy Barn Update
The Dairy Barn is deteriorating quickly and is in need of immediate attention. If drastic measures are not taken soon this wonderful treasure may be lost forever.
At the April board meeting, we discussed various options including restoration and dismantling. Restoration was our preferred choice, however, it will be extremely expensive. Another choice is to carefully dismantle the building, saving the lumber/timber/etc. for a potential future ‘rebuild’. This would be less expensive, but a more feasible endeavor. However, complete destruction of the deteriorated barn structure may be the County's choice.
The park Director, Jim Dowd had taken the photos of exterior and interior for reference and historical purposes. And the barn has been cordoned off in a manner to safely keep people and animals away from the structure.
At the August Park Advisory Board Meeting, the board was notified of the barn's condition and a motion was made and passed to remove the barn. Exact details of the removal and dismantle will be decided after the County Commissioners have their say. We are still hoping that some of the barn can be saved and stored for future use.
Mildred's Trail Dash - A Huge Success!
Our Inaugural Mildred’s Trail Dash on July 10th was a huge success! There were 73 runners. Most participants were from the Roseburg area but we had entries from the coast, Eastern Oregon and from above Eugene. Our youngest participant was Jimmy Wall 3 years old, and our oldest was Richard Baumgartner at 75. We even had a barefoot runner in the 5K. And a few equestrians joined us also. Way to go!
The 9K Overall winner was John Ngigi, who came from Glide, with a time of 33 minutes 59 seconds. John is a fast serious runner who had won the Portland Marathon 2 years ago.
Thank you to everyone who came out and made our day so great. And a Great Big Thank you to all our sponsors and Mike McCarty of Roseburg Road Runners.
Any inquires regarding results or the race can be sent to Leslye Wing.
New Permanent Trail Maps
Two bright, colorful and easy to read permanent trail maps have been ordered and should arrive in May. One has been attached to the kiosk at the equestrian area and the other will be posted at the day use area.
Nature Trail Update
The additional mile or so of trail has been cleared on the 40 acres on the other side of Elkhead Road (and yes, it is part of Mildred's park). New signs to direct people to the trails are being constructed by the park's dept. Volunteers from Umpqua Hiking Club will be installing them as soon as the signs are ready. This trail will be for hikers/walkers only. No horses.
Become a Schoolhouse Restoration Committee Member
The Friends of Mildred Kanipe Memorial Park and The English Settlement School Restoration Committee, in preparation for the planning portion of the restoration project, are seeking individuals to serve on the restoration committee or the evaluation team.
The important first phase of restoration is under the guidance of the Oregon State Historic Preservation Department. Their recommendation was to retain the services of a local structural engineer and / or architect for all restoration planning. It is our intention to use our first grant funds to do just that. 
We are also currently searching for interested individuals to join our Stakeholders evaluation team. This team is an important component in project funding. The evaluation team is open to members of our organization, members of any other organizations with a vested interest in the park or school, and members from the surrounding communities. Participation and meetings on either the restoration committee or the evaluation team would be as necessary. Please join us in any volunteer capacity to see this unique and worthwhile project to completion.
Work Parties!
Work parties will be scheduled (if this rain ever stops..) in 2010 for the following tasks:
- Construct new fence and install new gates around English Settlement School
- Prime and paint window trim on School House
- Remove old or down wire fencing and t-posts thruout the park
- Nature Trail - planting and mulching (Assist Native Plant Society and Hiking Group)
- Remove fallen oak limb in Day Use Area by Dairy Barn
- Clean out old hay and debris in Underwood Barn
- Clean up weeds in and around Equipment Shed
- Install bird nesting boxes
Contact any Board Member if you are intested in participating in, or organizing any of the work parties.