Dunsmuir Botanical Gardens facts for kids
The Dunsmuir City Park and Botanical Gardens is a beautiful 10-acre park and garden in Dunsmuir, California. It's located near the famous Mount Shasta. This special place is looked after by a group of dedicated volunteers. They work hard to keep the park lovely for everyone to enjoy.
Contents
Discover the Gardens
This amazing botanical garden covers about ten acres of land. It has hills, lots of trees, a big open meadow, and even a playground. There are also nice spots for picnics right next to the Upper Sacramento River.
Plants and Flowers
In the spring, you'll see many native white dogwood trees blooming with their pretty flowers. The hillsides are covered with lovely Shasta lilies. Along the river, you can find native azaleas. Besides these native plants, the garden also has many other types of plants. These include colorful rhododendrons, hostas, ferns, and Japanese maples. Every spring and summer, new annual flowers are planted to add even more color.
Walking Trails and Scenery
The park has many walking trails where you can explore and see all the different plants. The large meadow is a popular spot for outdoor events. It's a great place to relax and enjoy nature.
Fun Events at the Park
The Dunsmuir Botanical Gardens is a busy place! It hosts many fun events throughout the year.
Concerts and Gatherings
People often come here for weddings, concerts, and group picnics. Every summer, there's a special outdoor dinner concert called 'Tribute To the Trees'. It takes place on the lawns next to the Sacramento River. People from all over, including California, Oregon, and Arizona, come to enjoy the music and scenery.
Learning Programs
The park also offers educational programs. For example, the 'Road Scholars' program helps grandparents and grandchildren learn together. There are also river education programs that teach about the Sacramento River.
Fishing in the River
If you love fishing, you're in luck! You can fish for trout in the river all year round. However, it's a "catch and release" area. This means you must gently put the fish back into the water after catching them.
Amazing Animals
The river is home to many animals. You might spot playful river otters swimming and playing. The river's health has greatly improved over the years, and now it's a great place for fish. Sometimes, larger animals like mink, cougars, bears, fishers, and martens can be seen in the area too.
Babe Ruth Played Here!
Did you know that the famous baseball player Babe Ruth once played a game right here in the park? In the past, he and another player, Bob Meusel, played an exhibition baseball game against local Dunsmuir players. There's a special plaque from the Lions Club outside the grandstand to remember this exciting event. The old grandstand where they played has been repaired and repainted.
Historic Train: Southern Pacific Locomotive #1727
You can also see a real historic train in the park! It's called Locomotive 1727. This train was built way back in 1901. It worked for the Southern Pacific railway in California and Oregon until 1956. Locomotive 1727 is very special because it's one of only seven of its kind left in the world.
Supporting the Gardens
The Dunsmuir Botanical Gardens is a member of the American Public Gardens Association. This means it's part of a group of important public gardens. The park relies on money from concerts, donations, and grants to keep running and stay beautiful for everyone to enjoy.
See also
In Spanish: Jardín botánico de Dunsmuir para niños
