![Learn more at the Community Garden Club of Camas-Washougal meeting in the Camas Community Center on Wed., Sept. 27, at 1 p.m. Meetings are open to the public. Photo courtesy Community Garden Club of Camas-Washougal](https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Story_Clark-County-Today-Annual-April-and-May-Park-Beautification-Commissioner-Cassi-Marshall.jpg)
Susan Tripp’s Sept. 27 presentation will kick off a new dedicated Garden Club team that will continue the club’s important history in the park
CAMAS-WASHOUGAL – The Community Garden Club’s decades of service in Parker’s Landing Historical Park ended in 1999 with a granite plaque placed in the grass near the garden volunteers’ garden shed and a dogwood was planted nearby. The expressions of gratitude to the club was most likely initiated by Rosalee MacRae, park advocate and founder who was also a Community Garden Club member. Rosalee served as the Parkersville Site Development Committee secretary, continuing her service as a Parkersville National Historic Site Advisory Committee (PAC) to the Port member until her passing.
![Photo courtesy Community Garden Club of Camas-Washougal](https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Story_Clark-County-Today-Parkers-Landing-Historical-Park-Entry-by-Boulders-with-National-State-and-County-Heritage-Registration-Plaques.jpg)
In 1971, Rosalee attended a shower hosted by Mary Van Vleet in her guest house (formally the “little green house”) that had been converted into living quarters by Louis and Nina Chevron in 1942 when they discontinued their Parker’s Landing Dairy, also called Chevron and Sons. They closed their dairy due to the cost of pasteurization and decision to move out of the Van Vleet home they rented to be able to move in their son Vernon and his family.
In 1978, just before moving out, Mary Van Vleet invited Rosalee to her home. She had heard of Rosalee’s interest in seeing the inside of the 100 year old main house. That year the paper reported others asking the Port to make the Van Vleet site a park, a request denied. At an American Association of University Women (AAUW), Dorothy Pionek put Rosalee in contact with Bernice Pluchos. In a public meeting called by the AAUW the idea of forming a historical society was put forth resulting in the Camas-Washougal Historical Society (CWHS). That year Mary passed away in August and in October the Van Vleet home was burned to the ground by an arsonist.
![Photo courtesy Community Garden Club of Camas-Washougal](https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Story_Clark-County-Today-Weeded-Rose-Arbor-View-of-River.jpg)
In 1980, a petition of nearly 1200 names was submitted to the Port requesting the site become a park in perpetuity. In 1985, notices were published in the newspaper inviting all interested citizens to join a committee named Parkersville Site Development Committee (PSDC). A month later a preliminary plan was presented to the Port with a 50-page park plan prepared by the PSDC and presented to the Port in 1986 with estimated costs to start the park. The first step was mounting the Department of Interior and State Bronze Plaques on a 25-ton Basalt boulder obtained from Fisher Rock Quarry. The dedication of the Parkersville National Historic and Archeological Site and opening of the Parker’s Landing Historical Park was held on Sat., June 1, 1986
![Photo courtesy Community Garden Club of Camas-Washougal](https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Story_Clark-County-Today-Volunteer-Garden-Shed-and-Community-Garden-Club-Plaque-clearing.jpg)
At the Community Garden Club of Camas-Washougal September meeting, Susan Tripp will share more about the park history and how Rosalee recruited her to join the PAC which led to being a PHF director when Rosalee died. Susan’s presentation kicks off a new dedicated Garden Club team that will continue the club’s important history in the park. Learn more at the Community Garden Club of Camas-Washougal meeting in the Camas Community Center on Wed., Sept. 27, at 1 p.m. Meetings are open to the public.
For more information contact Diana Hogg at dianahogg@yahoo.com, or visit https://gardenclubofcamaswashougal.org/ and https://www.facebook.com/CommunityGardenClubOfCamasWashougal
Also read:
- Harvest Days in Battle Ground coming up July 19-21The Battle Ground Festivals Association is preparing for three days of celebration, including a car cruise on Friday night, a parade on Saturday, and fireworks on Saturday night at Harvest Days.
- Organizers looking for cars for Cruise to the Shoug show on Aug. 454-40 Brewing Co. is hosting Cruise to the Shoug on Aug. 4 as a fundraiser for the Camas-Washougal Community Chest, and organizers are looking for car owners to book their spots for the show.
- Trump picks Ohio’s J.D. Vance for vice presidentFormer President Donald Trump picked U.S. Sen. J.D. Vance, R-Ohio, to serve as his vice president should Trump beat President Joe Biden this November for another term in the White House.
- Children with disabilities make memories at the 24th annual Merwin Day of FishingOn Saturday (July 13), Pacific Power and the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife joined together to host a memorable fishing event for children with disabilities at the Merwin Fish Hatchery near Woodland.
- Letter: For the public record and the Comprehensive PlanIn a July 12 letter to the Clark County Council, Clark County Citizens United President Susan Rasmussen shares that primary stakeholders were ignored in the Wetland and Habitat Ordinance Conservation Covenant.
- CASE DISMISSED: Classified documents case against Trump thrown out by judgeA federal judge in Florida dismissed the classified documents-related criminal case against former President Donald Trump on Monday, saying the appointment of Special Counsel Jack Smith violated the Constitution.
- Photos: Log show and parade at Territorial Days 2024 in AmboyTerritorial Days in Amboy never disappoints, and this weekend brought all kinds of activities in logging country, and Clark County Today had a photographer there to capture images from the annual parade and log show.