FOLLOW BREAD CRUMBS TO ISLAND PARK.Byline: Eric Florip The Register-Guard Standing near the bank of the Willamette River Willamette River River, northwestern Oregon, U.S. It flows north for 300 mi (485 km) into the Columbia River near Portland. Oregon's most populous cities are in its valley. The Fremont Bridge, a steel arch with a main span of 1,225 ft (373 m), crosses the river at Portland. at Island Park on a recent afternoon, Mike Little tossed pieces of bread to dozens of ravenous geese waiting at his feet. With each morsel mor·sel n. 1. A small piece of food. 2. A tasty delicacy; a tidbit. 3. A small amount; a piece: a morsel of gossip. 4. , the feathered feath·ered adj. 1. Covered, provided, or adorned with feathers. 2. Having feathering, as an animal's coat. 3. Moving swiftly: feathered feet. 4. crowd inched closer to Little and looked a little less patient. Beaks snapped. Scenes like this one are typical at Island Park, located on the Willamette River just west of downtown Springfield. Crowds of geese (and Springfield residents) frequent the area, and trails of bread crumbs often line the riverside paths from the south end of the park under the Main Street bridge to the north end at C Street. The feeding experience was pleasantly unfamiliar for Little, 47, who moved to Springfield last month after spending most of his life in Southern California Southern California, also colloquially known as SoCal, is the southern portion of the U.S. state of California. Centered on the cities of Los Angeles and San Diego, Southern California is home to nearly 24 million people and is the nation's second most populated region, . "It's the atmosphere, the pretty sights - I've always been the type of guy who'd rather be outside than inside," he said. The 14-acre facility has been a community fixture since the city's Willamalane Park and Recreation District first acquired the land in 1960. In addition to its scenic paths and river access, Island Park boasts the only built-in stage among Willamalane's 33 Springfield parks. Next week it will host the fourth annual Light of Liberty Celebration and fireworks fireworks: see pyrotechnics. fireworks Explosives or combustibles used for display. Of ancient Chinese origin, fireworks evidently developed out of military rockets and explosive missiles and accompanied the spread of military explosives westward to show to be held on July 4 featuring Grammy-winner B.J. Thomas (of "Raindrops Keep Fallin' On My Head" fame). The park includes a wide-open grassy area that extends to the river. On the south end is a boat ramp under the Main Street bridge. At the other end, a wooden bridge leads to another grass field away from the river. On paved paths, walkers and cyclists pass by old-growth trees and have a clear view of the river. And that's exactly what makes the park appealing to most, said Willamalane assistant Bonnie bon·ny also bon·nie adj. bon·ni·er, bon·ni·est Scots 1. Physically attractive or appealing; pretty. 2. Excellent. Keable. "I think the fact that it is basically a riverfront park makes it unique," Keable said. "That in itself is a beautiful setting." Willamalane has taken several steps over the years to make Island Park what it is today. The north section wasn't acquired until Willamalane purchased the two acres for $2,000 in 1972. Since then, the park has seen a $28,000 rehabilitation project at its south end and a replacement of its North Shelter gazebo gazebo Lookout in the form of a turret, cupola (small, lanternlike dome), or garden house set on a height to give an extensive view. Few late-18th- and 19th-century rustic gazebos survive, but 17th-century turrets built up in an angle of the garden wall are not uncommon. in 1998, among other renovations, according to according to prep. 1. As stated or indicated by; on the authority of: according to historians. 2. In keeping with: according to instructions. 3. a Willamalane chronology of the land's history. |
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