Also serving the communities of De Luz, Rainbow, Camp Pendleton, Pala and Pauma
Also serving the communities of De Luz, Rainbow, Camp Pendleton, Pala and Pauma
Live Oak Park staff provide tools for volunteers to plant more oak trees in celebration of the park's centennial.
Volunteers Jackie Heyneman, left, and Jean Dooley share a passion for trees and prove it by digging deep during the planting of trees at Live Oak Park, Nov. 11.
With Team Roger, in front, from left, Jim Lyle, Roger Boddaert and Brian Ek of County Parks & Rec get a tree in position near the hole it will be planted in while Sherry Lamont watches.
Jake Enriquez of County Parks & Rec, left, confirms the depth needed to accommodate an oak tree's root ball as measured by Ranger Ricardo Teirrez, FHS 2009 graduate.
Working together, from left, Brian Ek, Jim Lyle and Roger Boddaert place one of the trees during the Veterans Day planting project. This team also included Ranger Esme Aguilar, FHS 2013 graduate.
Live Oak Dog Park is appreciated by dogs and their people.
Mature oaks provide shade and quiet for Live Oak Park visitors
On Veterans Day, Nov. 11, a group of hearty members of Save Our Forest and Fallbrook's Live Oak Park staff, including two home-grown park rangers (Fallbrook High graduates), all gathered to serve as cracker jack live oak planting teams.
Both groups kept equal pace starting at one end working toward a central spot in the manner in which I somehow imagined the Continental Railroad was built. There was no racing here – just complete cooperation and back and forth support to each of those on "Team Roger" and "Team Jackie."
Few people rested at all; even though it was hot. When/if there was a down moment, others pitched in with "esprit de corps," gung-ho, let's get this done attitude.
The crop of county-supplied California live oaks consisted of those that come in a 24-inch box' they were healthy and appeared well cared for. "No soil amendment was required because none is needed if they are well-attended, grown in their natural surroundings and conditions," according to SOF founder Jackie Heyneman.
These oaks appeared to be a great size for successful adaptation to the park.
In the July 11, 2020 Village News, I found a wonderful reference to the park's full 100-year history by Jeff Pack with great photos by Shane Gibson.
In that article, Pack wrote "when it's quiet and few people are around, you can get lost in the natural beauty that surrounds you."
He's right you know. One can find peaceful corners during each visit. There are respite spots, exercise equipment, a baseball diamond, soccer field and a basketball court.
One day soon it is hoped a hand-crafted permanently installed, secured, upcycled art bench donated by dedicated Save Our Forest and Fallbrook Native Plant Team volunteer Jim Lyle, who has been slowly and steadily clearing, cleaning and enhancing a small spot for it nestled alongside a trail. "It's one of the untouched spots," said Brian Eck, the Live Oak Ranger. The bench consists of blue skies and a natural surround painted by internationally recognized artist Neill Ketchum.
As I went back and forth to take photos between these fast-paced planting teams, I happened to discover a beautiful gazebo ready for a gathering family when our world allows for such things again one day. How did I miss this before? It's easy. I got lost backtracking my way to "Team Roger."
Roger Boddaert and Heyneman have been integral to leading the charge of a group of motivated residents which circulated a petition to save this park. Both have physically planted upwards of 2,700 trees throughout all of Fallbrook, maintained existing varieties and rescued the many trees which have inhabited the surrounding areas.
Without these two and their minions, this sanctuary within our town's limits would not have been safe from real estate development.
Fallbrook's trees through time have been saved, rescued, enhanced and replanted through the hard work of the many amazing volunteers working with the dedicated staff and support personnel of San Diego County. Especially at this time of year, we need to say thanks to our tree people – our leaders who have preserved these trees for us and for the future.
It has taken financial support and the good will of people as well as hard, back-breaking work and a commitment to keep this going so long. The Fallbrook Land Conservancy has also contributed its effort to keep open space a part of our vocabulary and our everyday lives.
As it's been spoken and memorialized elsewhere in our Village – and over the world – "Wise men plant trees they know they will never sit in the shade of."
Remarkable Fallbrook volunteers have also established the well-maintained, free off leash Live Oak Dog Park where Fallbrook's four legged neighbors can enjoy the surroundings with their own large California live oaks providing them shade too.
The two teams – each with a staff member, a ranger and three volunteers – planted 15 live oaks in a big push leading to a final planting set for Dec. 6 at 10 a.m.
At that next planting day, there will be a small ceremony recognizing the planting of the 100th Live Oak which will culminate in a final shovel showdown with tools poised in position for that moment.
Given our situational pandemic, things can change. In order to keep updated on the San Diego Parks & Rec Departments, go to www.liveoakpark.org.
We can celebrate this Thanksgiving by expressing gratitude for our wonderful environment – including the many trees surrounding our homes and spaces. Can you imagine a life without them? It just would not be Fallbrook.
Note: This article has been updated with revised information, Dec. 1.
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