CROSS PARK GOOD TIMES

I happily accepted the invitation to attend the official dedication of the new Cross Park (formerly Birch Park) today. The dedication, put together by Joe Kurtak and Sue Herminghaus, honored the homesteaders who contributed the park land as well as volunteers who have maintained the site over the years. The park is once again an inviting place where families, dog lovers, horseback riders, sport players of all sorts, and the community can come together for a leisurely hang-out.

In the words of Antje Carlson, a member of Friends of Birch Park since 2003, “This sense of community is what Bob and Arlene Cross had in mind when they donated the 10 acres of land that is now Birch Park whose story began in 1949, when the Cross-family homesteaded the 160 acres of property that is bound by Bainbridge, Huffman, and Birch roads on the lower Anchorage hillside. The entire area was deepest ‘jungle,’ scarcely populated and safe recreational places for children were not available . . . In 1955 some community members approached the Cross family and asked them to donate some land that could be turned into a family park. Bob and Arlene liked the idea, and saw it as one way of passing on their good fortune to future residents.”

The dedication of the park this afternoon was a culmination of good old-fashioned Alaskan community teamwork. Music for the event was provided by Marge Ford and the Polka Chips – and of course, when there’s polka music I have an uncontrollable urge to dance (see photo of Sue Herminghaus dancing with me!). The other photos show honoree Arlene Cross with roses, the Birch Road pioneers by the new park sign, and me enjoying my first ride on a Segway provided by Dennis Nelson – President Bush fell off a Segway when he tried it out, I didn’t!! Good times. Good folks.