Melrose Park Commission Meeting

Posted 4/23/10:  Next meeting is Monday, May 10th, at 7:00pm at the Clubhouse.

Posted 10/27/09

Posted: 9/27/09

First “City Youth Day at Mount Hood Memorial Park” a Success!

The city’s first “City Youth Day at Mount Hood Memorial Park” was enjoyed by over 40 children and adults on Saturday, September 26^th. The day was prefect for enjoying a nature walk and to view the scenic wonders of Mount Hood environs.

Association president Myron Dittmer, handed out colorized trail maps of Mount Hood Park, supplied by the Association, to all the youth in attendance before beginning the nature walk. The walk started with Dittmer providing a history of Mount Hood Memorial Park and Slayton Tower. He described rock formations found in the park and how they were formed during the period when glaciers receded from the area.  He also described the periods when the forests were formed, when the area was populated by Native Americans, and then colonized by Europeans. Dittmer described the purchase of park land by the city in the early 20^th century and the establishment and construction of the park, golf course, and Slayton Tower by the WPA (Works Progress Administration) during the 1930’s.  He also provided a show and tell session describing, by the use of his leaf book, how you can identify trees by their leaf size and shape. He described how trees grow and develop by displaying a cross-section of a tree truck, noting the areas of bark, phloem, cambium, and xylem and what functions they perform in the growth of a tree. He also described how trees obtain energy and food for growth explaining the process of photosynthesis whereby the leaves take in sunlight, convert it into energy via chlorophyll, and then combine it with carbon dioxide and water to make the sugars necessary for growth.

Following this brief history of the park, Dittmer took the group on a nature walk near Slayton Tower describing and identifying local trees, other flora (plant life and vegetation), and common types of fauna (animal life) in the park. He pointed out some of the varieties of trees during the walk such as oak, maple, birch, sumac, pine, and the ubiquitous sassafras trees. During the nature walk, Dittmer quizzed the children with questions such as, what is the state bird, what is the state tree, and what is the state insect? Do you know the answers? Finally, it was soon discovered that many of the youth were familiar with the common varieties of animal life in the park such as frogs, birds, turtles, snakes, squirrels, and others. Several of the parents present routinely fished in the park ponds and have caught wide mouth bass, pickerel, catfish, perch, and other varieties of fish.

After the nature walk, the group climbed to the top of Slayton Tower for a spectacular view of the surrounding countryside viewing the Boston skyline, the Atlantic Ocean, the mountains of New Hampshire, and Wachusett mountain in the west. One of the parents remarked that although she has been living in Melrose for the past several years, she was unaware of such beauty and wonders at Mount Hood Memorial Park.

The day of fun and education ended with hotdogs and refreshments and memories of how the city has learned to successfully preserve and protect “green spaces” for the enjoyment and education of future generations of residents.

Special thanks go out to Frank Olivieri, Director of Recreation, and his staff, Joan Bell, Park Superintendent, Mike Farrell, Mike Ford, and Laura Lane of Golf Management, Company,  Bridget Tully, Victoria Mail, Paul McQuillan, and other members of the Mt. Hood Park Association for their assistance.

A limited number of the colorful trail maps, mentioned above and designed and created by the Melrose Conservation Commission and Applied Geographics, Inc., are available on a first come basis. If interested, go the Contact section of the website and use the email note to request a map. You will need to give us you name and address.

Melrose Winter Festival including

Skate / Ski / Snowboard Swap

Ages: Open to All Ages

Cost: FREE
Date: February 17

Time: Wed, 12:00pm – 3:00pm

Location: Mt. Hood Golf Course - Club House
Get out of the house and help us celebrate the winter at Mount Hood Memorial Park. Come take in the sites, sounds, and all of the beautiful winter views that the park has to offer. We will be having games, activities, face painting, ice skating (weather permitting), hot coco, smores on an open fire, and a huge free BBQ for all who attend. Additionally, we will be hosting a large skate, ski, and snowboarding swap at the event. Bring your gear that does not fit anymore and exchange them for a different set. It is a great way to save money and find the gear you need. Don’t miss out on all of the fun and surprises that we have in store. Dress warm and we look forward to seeing everyone there!!! 

In partnership with:

Melrose Parks Commission

Melrose Parks Department

Mount Hood Park Association