Walk and Talk – February 13th, 12pm to 4pm

You’re invited to attend to our monthly Walk and Talk at Hart Park!

Come on out for a pleasant walk and talk about our great park, and if you like, get involved in one of our park improvement projects!

Where
Hart Park, Old Ranger Station, North-East corner of the park by the peafowl.

When
February 13th, 12pm to 4pm

What we have planned

First we’ll have a casual lunch (bring whatever you like) from around 12 pm to 1 pm. We will be talking about the upcoming Kern River Music Festival to be held at the Park on May 22!

Next, we’ll take a walk through the park for about an hour. We take a pleasant walk around our great park passing by the river, creeks, bridges, and lakes while viewing the magnificent trees, birds and other natural scenery. It is very common to see visitors enjoying the park as they picnic, fish, boat, or just kicking back listening to music or taking in the parks quite majesty.

The park at this time of the year is very pleasant and peaceful. Dress warmly!

After the walk, at around 2:00 pm, we’ll return to neighborhood of the peafowls and continue our work restoring the perimeter fence.

About the Stewards of Hart Park

The Stewards of Hart Park is group of volunteers who are willing to take action to preserve and improve Hart Park. We just don’t sit around complaining and whining expecting others to take care of our great park. The time is now to get involved to make our community a great place to live.

The time is now for you to take action and join our group to help preserve and improve Hart Park. If not Hart Park, please lend a hand somewhere.

Please feel free to email us at stewardsofhartpark@gmail.com or visit our website at kernriverpark.org

Kind Regards,

Kenny Beal

People Power in Action

Let us not forget the option to use People Power to preserve and improve our great park. Here are a couple of examples of what we can do with our will.

“Lake” being Hand Dug in 1933.

Completed Lake. View of East End.

Ah yes, the Hand Built Water Wheel, again completed in 1933. A very busy time at the Park. The WPA in action.

Walk and Talk January 9th

Thank you all for attending!

We took a pleasant walk and talked about our great park! The afternoon began a wee-bit foggy, which is very calming, then gave way to a sunny afternoon. The wintery foliage was calming and beautiful. Ah, the river, lined with Cottonwoods and other natives was splendid and the peaceful sound was awesome!.

After the walk, we continued our work project rebuilding the wooden fence along the river.

Look forward to seeing everyone next month! In the mean time, enjoy the park!

Our next meet will be February 13th at the Old Ranger Station, North-East corner of the park by the peafowl, 12pm to 4pm

BTW, we also discussed the planning of our first Concert in the Spring. Looking good!

Here are a few pics.

Join our Effort! The Park needs you!

We need your help!
The time is now for you to take action and join our group to help preserve and improve Hart Park. If not Hart Park, please lend a hand somewhere.

The Stewards of Hart Park is group of volunteers who are willing to take action to preserve and improve Hart Park. We just don’t sit around complaining and whining expecting others to take care of our great park. The time is now to get involved to make our community a great place to live.

Please feel free to email us at stewardsofhartpark@gmail.com or visit our website at kernriverpark.org

Kind Regards,

Kenny Beal

Hooded Merganser (lophodytes cucullatus)

Merrily Swimming along at Hart Park – Greg Iger, Jan 9, 2010

This Duck is a winter only visitor from Northern Canada.

A small fish-eating duck of wooded ponds, the Hooded Merganser nests in holes in trees. It is frequently seen on shallow waters where its only waterfowl companion is the Wood Duck.

The Hooded Merganser is the second-smallest of the six living species of mergansers (only the Smew of Eurasia is smaller) and is the only one restricted to North America.

Although up to 44 Hooded Merganser eggs have been found in one nest, one female probably does not lay more than about 13. Larger clutches result when more than one female lays eggs in a nest.

The Hooded Merganser finds its prey underwater by sight. The merganser can actually change the refractive properties of its eyes to enhance its underwater vision. In addition, the nictitating membrane (third eyelid) is very transparent and probably acts to protect the eye during swimming, just like a pair of goggles.

Measurements
Both Sexes
Length
15.7–19.3 in
40–49 cm
Wingspan
23.6–26 in
60–66 cm
Weight
16–31 oz
453–879 g
Other Names
Harle Couronné (French)
Serreta capuchona (Spanish)

How to become a Steward of Hart Park

Simply show up at our monthly meeting at Hart Park, and you’re in. The only exception to this would be mean people – they can not be a Steward.

Here is a link to more details about this months meeting(tomorrow!). http://hartpark.wordpress.com/2010/01/06/stewards-of-hart-park-walk-and-talk-January-9th-2010/

Our monthly meeting is held on the second Saturday of each month starting at the Northeast corner of the Park by the Peacocks, 12pm to 4 pm (dec, jan, feb) and 9am to 1pm (all other months).

At our monthly meeting (“Walk and Talk”), you will have the opportunity to enjoy a walk in the park, share your thoughts, and if you like, pitch in working on one of our service projects. Currently, we are working fixing the wooden fence bordering the park by the river and restoring the Park Map Sign at the west entrance.

There are other projects we are working on outside of the monthly meeting. As an example, we are working (in conjunction with the Kern River Parkway Foundation) on a spring fund raising event (“Riverfest 2010″) and working on volunteer recruiting.

Do you have something you would like to head up yourself? Lets us help you get it done!

Here is a link to our website. http://hartpark.wordpress.com

You will find information about Hart Park and the Stewards here.

Some of our other services include:
- Work with various other community good will groups to get their projects approved and completed.
- Work closely with the Government to insure what we or others are doing is aligned with the
communities will, follows all applicable rules and laws, and adheres to existing contracts.
- Provide a community group for the Government to send project to for review and opinion base.

Our project list is long and we would appreciate help!

If you have questions or comments or whatever, please email us at: stewardsofhartpark@gmail.com

Hopefully this has been helpful.

Thank you,

Kenny Beal

Stewards of Hart Park Walk and Talk January 9th 2010

You are invited to attend to our monthly Walk and Talk at Hart Park!

Come on out for a pleasant walk and discussion about our great park!

Where
Hart Park, Old Ranger Station, North-East corner of the park by the peafowl.

When
January 9th, 12pm to 4pm

What we have planned

First we’ll have a casual lunch (bring whatever you like) from around 12 pm to 1 pm

Next, we’ll take a walk through the park for about an hour. We take a pleasant walk around our great park passing by the river, creeks, bridges, and lakes while viewing the magnificent trees, birds and other natural scenery. It is very common to see visitors enjoying the park as they picnic, fish, boat, or just kicking back listening to music or taking in the parks quite majesty.

The park at this time of the year is very pleasant and peaceful. Dress warmly!

After the walk, at around 2:00 pm, we’ll return to neighborhood of the peafowls and continue our work restoring the perimeter fence.

We need your help!
The time is now for you to take action and join our group to help preserve and improve Hart Park. If not Hart Park, please lend a hand somewhere.

The Stewards of Hart Park is group of volunteers who are willing to take action to preserve and improve Hart Park. We just don’t sit around complaining and whining expecting others to take care of our great park. The time is now to get involved to make our community a great place to live.

Please feel free to email us at stewardsofhartpark@gmail.com or visit our website at kernriverpark.org

Kind Regards,

Kenny Beal

Walk and Talk, Saturday, Decmber 12th 2009

Thank you everyone for attending our Walk and Talk (WnT) on Saturday, December 12th, and for taking advantage of a beautiful, yet blustery, day at Hart Park.

Winter is almost “officially” here and the park has already made the transition. Many trees have dropped their leaves and stand strongly exposed to the winter sky, and the evergreens, ah the evergreens, are as beautiful as ever, some so green as to appear blue! Quite a contrast. The green bark of the bare Palo Verde is now almost dark fluorescent as we wait for the spring time to return us their huge yellow flowers. The sky was wonderfully cloudy and the air was as clean as ever. People visiting the park are bundled up a little, as the air has cooled, and yet their were plenty of smiles to be seen. The rain stayed away until we were ready to leave (around 4:00pm), go figure. The park is a great place to visit year round. Just one of the wonderful reasons to live here. Wow!

We enjoyed a lunch together, including free coffee and hot chocolate (thank you Gayle!). We discussed preservation and improvement projects, and then focused on gearing up for our Spring Event in the Park. Please contact us at stewardsofhartpark@gmail.com for more information. Your ideas and help would be greatly appreciated!

When then went to work repairing the perimeter fence near the Ranger House. There is a lot of work to be done and we are just getting started. Well done by all!

We also observed some goofs cutting on trees (probably for fire wood) in North Park (across river). Bad Idea. As cutting trees in the park is illegal (common sense!), the offenders were cited by one of the Rangers. Of course, the animals who live in the fallen trees appreciated his effort, and we did too! Thank you Rangers!

Our next Walk and Talk will be January 9th, 2010 at the Ranger Station.

I hope everyone has a Merry Christmas and a peaceful and loving 2010!

Cheers!

Kenny Beal

Here are some pictures (Thanks Blaine!)

December 2009 Walk and Talk

Greetings!

Our Next Walk and Talk will be December 12th, 12:00 PM to 4:00 PM. Meet at, where else, the Neighborhood of the Peafowl (by the old rangers house, northeast corner of park). We will have lunch from 12 to 1, then take a short walk, then remove some fallen fence located by the Peafowl. Please bring Hacksaws and Crescent Wrenches and Gloves if you have them

Should the weather be a challenge, we will meet INSIDE the Red Barn on the Hill behind the Old Swimming Pool Area (South East Corner of Park).

Hot Chocolate and Coffee will be served between 12 and 1 free of charge.

One of the topics we will be talking about will be: Do we want to expand our stewardship beyond Hart Park, to include all of the Kern River Park, 1250 acres, (Hart Park, Kern River Campground, Lake Ming, Soccer Park, Calm, Kern River Golf Course Park (behind Golf Course), and all River and Connecting Trail between). The scope expansion of our group was requested by the Kern County Parks and Recreation Department.

Look forward to seeing everyone.

Your support is GREATLY appreciated. Both the County and others in the community have said wonderful things about our effort – Thank you!

If I do not see you on Saturday, I hope you have a great Christmas and I wish you a glorious New Year!

Kind Regards,

Kenny Beal

FYI, The Stewards of Hart Park meet monthly on the second Saturday of each month. 12 pm to 4 pm during the winter (Dec. Jan. Feb.) and 9 am to 1 pm all other months. We meet near the Neighborhood of the Peafowl.

Northern Flicker – Red-shafted Flicker

The Northern Flicker is a member of the Woodpecker family. They are also known as the Red-shafted Flicker because of the beautiful orange color on the edge and underneath their wings, which is conspicuous in flight.

They like to feed on the ground for ants and other bugs.

They are migratory and are found in Hart Park (and surrounding areas) during the winter.

Thank you Madi  for your help identifying and describing this bird.

Hart Park Tree and Shrub Log

Last Updated 11.25.2009

The following Link will enable you view a Log of Trees and Shrubs found in Hart Park. The Log is perpetual and is in MS Word Document.

Hart Park Tree and Shrub Log

Various Information in the Log includes locations. Typical pictures and general information about trees and shrubs can be found at this site by typing the tree name in the website search bar found on every page.

Cresote Bush – Larrea tridentata

Refer to Hart Park Tree and Shrub Log on the Site for GPS locations and more detail.

General information forthcoming.

The following pictures were taken on 11/21/2009 by Melissa Iger and Kenny Beal.

California Holly – Heteromeles arbutifolia

Refer to Hart Park Tree and Shrub Log on this Site for GPS locations and more detail.

General information forthcoming.

The following pictures were taken on 11/21/2009 by Melissa Iger and Kenny Beal.

Canary Island Date Palm – Phoenix canariensis

Refer to Hart Park Tree and Shrub Log on this Site for GPS locations and more detail.

General information forthcoming.

The following pictures were taken on 11/21/2009 by Melissa Iger and Kenny Beal.

Deodar Cedar – Cedrus deodara

Refer to Hart Park Tree Log for GPS locations and more detail.

General information forthcoming.

The following pictures were taken on 11/21/2009 by Melissa Iger and Kenny Beal.

Female Fruit-Bearing White Mulberry – Morus alba

Refer to Hart Park Tree Log for GPS locations and more detail.

General information forthcoming.

The following pictures were taken on 11/21/2009 by Melissa Iger and Kenny Beal.

Juniper?

Identification in Progress

Refer to Hart Park Tree Log for GPS locations and more detail.

General information forthcoming.

The following pictures were taken on 11/21/2009 by Melissa Iger and Kenny Beal.

Mexican Palo Verde – Parkinsonia (cercidium) aculeata

Refer to Hart Park Tree Log for GPS locations and more detail.

General information forthcoming.

The following pictures were taken on 11/21/2009 by Melissa Iger and Kenny Beal.

Bottle Tree – Brachychiton populneus

Refer to Hart Park Tree Log for GPS locations and more detail.

General information forthcoming.

Native to Himalayas

The following pictures were taken on 11/21/2009 by Melissa Iger and Kenny Beal.

Chinese Pistache: Pistacia chinensis

Refer to Hart Park Tree Log for GPS locations and more detail.

General information forthcoming.

The following pictures were taken on 11/15/2009 by Melissa Iger and Kenny Beal.

Interior Live Oak: Quercus wislizenii

Refer to Hart Park Tree Log for GPS locations and more detail.

General information forthcoming.

The following pictures were taken on 11/15/2009 by Melissa Iger and Kenny Beal.

Ponderosa Pine – Pinus Ponderosa

Refer to Hart Park Tree Log for GPS locations and more detail.

General information forthcoming.

The following pictures were taken on 11/15/2009 by Melissa Iger and Kenny Beal.

Fan-Tex Ash: Fraxinus Velutina

Refer to Hart Park Tree Log for GPS locations and more detail.

General information forthcoming.

The following pictures were taken on 11/15/2009 by Melissa Iger and Kenny Beal

First Annual Fall BBQ and Walk-n-Talk

November 7th, 2009

Thank you all for attending our First Annual Fall BBQ and monthly Walk-n-Talk.

This was a perfect fall day to walk around our beautiful park with all the wonderful fall colors and enjoy an excellent BBQ with fellow Stewards, Friends and Families.

I was truly amazed by everyone taking the time as we walked to discuss their ideas and concerns, greet fellow visitors to the park, and the extraordinary effort picking up litter (over 30 bags collected!). A really special time by people willing to help preserve and improve our great park. Wow!

I hope others in the community visit the park to see all the trees in their full fall colors. Just brilliant. Light to Rich Greens, Bright Yellows, Brilliant Reds, Deep Purples.

The BBQ was just, well, perfect. Great food, great company, and a beautiful setting for a picnic with the river and trees as a back drop and our resident Peafowl perched close by. The rangers visited us and were very supportive. Gayle Turney donated the goodies needed for an excellent BBQ. Everyone was all smiles as we feasted on excellent Burgers, Dogs, and some really wonderful side dishes brought by fellow stewards. Thank you!!!

Greg Iger and Blaine Hawkins were taking photos. Their support was very appreciated. I have posted a few of the pictures below. I plan on posting more in the next few days.

Here is a fairly good listing of ideas we discussed. The input from the Stewards and visitors were brilliant. The ideas all seemed quite possible to implement, including the “Park Extreme Make Over”.  I’ll add the ideas to our project/task list. Please read on.

We discussed fund raising events. They included music (fall, spring, summer), Easter Egg Hunt, and Halloween Costume Party for Families.

We discussed adding a large gazebo for weddings, etc.

We discussed the need for curbing to replace the concrete pillars to stop vehicles from parking on the grass and allow the grass to grow. Perhaps they could be made from wood (railroad ties?).

We discussed the need to repair the roads.

We discussed the need to replant trees, vegetation, and grasses.

We discussed the possibility of using a pontoon boat, using poles to push boat, to provide rides and tours of the Island on Hart Park as an ongoing fund raiser in the summer.

We discussed having the Extreme Make Over TV show consider restoring our water wheel as a project. We called it Park extreme makeover.

Well thats about it. Please feel free to add your comments.

American Robin at Hart Park

Here is a picture of one of the many beautiful American Robins in Hart Park. We  found this one in a creek. Our Robin friend is saying “Hey, do you mind, I’m trying to get a drink here!”  We get it. Sorry little dude, carry on.

Paint and Signs on Trees at Hart Park

Please do not put signs or paint on our trees at Hart Park. The picture below shows one example where this has been done. We will be taking down Signs on trees when we find them (an arrow in this case), and getting the graffiti removal company to come out to remove the paint. If you see anyone doing this, or perhaps leaving their trash in the park, please ask them kindly to stop. These type of actions are simply wrong.

Leyland Cypress (Cupressocyparis leylandii)

Refer to Hart Park Tree Log for locations and more detail.

General information forthcoming.

The following pictures were taken on 11/07/2009

California Fan Palm (Washingtonia filifera)

Refer to Hart Park Tree Log for locations and more detail.

General information forthcoming.

The following pictures were taken on 11/07/2009

Cork Oak (Quercus suber)

Refer to Hart Park Tree Log for locations and more detail.

General information forthcoming.

The following pictures were taken on 11/07/2009

Pecan (Carya illinoinensis)

Refer to Hart Park Tree Log for locations and more detail.

General information forthcoming.

The following pictures were taken on 11/07/2009

Opossum (Didelphis virginiana)

Select the Link below for more information.

http://www.bear-tracker.com/opossum.html