Far North Bicentennial Park
by Pat Murphy
Teacher, Service High School
What is your favorite park and why?
My favorite park would have to be Far North Bicentennial because I live right by it. I really enjoy it because it is mostly undeveloped and there are a lot of natural trails.
Do you have any favorite park memories?
Well, it would probably have to be seeing the wildlife in the park. I've seen bears, moose, and a big black wolf. I had a close encounter with a lynx one time. I was biking one day and I saw something that looked like a dog on the side of the trail. I rode up next to it and stopped. I saw it was a lynx. We looked right into each others eyes for a while then I realized that it was a wild animal and it could probably attack me easily, so I quickly decided to start biking again.
How have you used the park?
I snowshoe, ski, bike, mostly bike, and walk in the park.
How long have you used the park and how has your use of the park evolved?
I have been using the park for twenty-two years now. I use the park the same way I did when I first used the park, except now I know the trails better and I am more involved with the park. I use it more now.
What are your hopes for the future of this park?
I hope that this park stays undeveloped.
How do you see the roles of parks in your community?
As the city grows, parks provide an escape from the urban environment. They let you go into open spaces and get away from it all.
Interviewed by Josh Berry