Article and Photos by Annemarie Eveland

It’s early morning-my favorite time. It’s quiet around this lovely nine-acre local lake at Green Valley Park. A blanket of sunshine has covered all, warming up the trees, making the waters sparkle brightly, revealing more to appreciate.

It’s a storybook lake even from its inception. Who would have thought that a water recycling plant built down the road could continue for many years to provide fresh, clean water for these three neighboring lakes? But the test of time has proved it true. And it is a living environment too. Things and places hold memories for us to revisit time and time again. Come walk with me and enjoy what I see.

I love the meandering, wide and level sidewalks that hug the lake’s sides. It makes it easy for a variety of users — from fast, devoted joggers to the easy-walking visitors pushing baby strollers with a small child or, more often, with their pampered pooches. And the dogs walking their owners. Yep, I get to greet the doggies first, and usually they respond to my cuddling. I have yet to meet an owner who wasn’t willing to admit that their dog is always leading them.

There are the sweethearts, holding hands and gazing lovingly at each other. They often linger sweetly on those dedicated benches that have metal-engraved names of someone’s loved one now in spirit. 

I was told that one lady walks the lake three times around each day and during that time she prays continually. And I passed by one young gal on roller skates purposefully whizzing blissfully along with a smile.

I saw a dad with his two small children. He was happily showing them how to use their fishing rods and was talking about the fun of catching a fish. Their wide-open eyes showed hopefulness of catching the big one. I mentioned to Dad as I passed about the annual free fishing festival day for kids, usually in April. I think, “It’s good for youngsters to learn skills that get them outdoors in the fresh air and sunshine and water. Yes, Dad probably could use it too.”

The atmosphere of the lake differs from just one mile away down Main Street and the highway coming into our town. The bustling, congested highway coming through town groans with traffic, a sharp contrast to this serene, peaceful place that truly doesn’t know a discouraging word. People are gentle and respectfully circling the lake and enjoying the more important things at the moment.

I do not see specific age groups either. Visitors from toddlers to 80+ years old are visibly enjoying something that this lake offers — free! Some visitors even enjoy the beauty of the lake from their comfort of their own parked vehicles. 

And the wildlife come to take advantage of what this lake offers — places to perch, food supply, and other birds to visit — from the eagle to the tiny songbirds. I have often seen the eagle, ever watchful, perched high in its huge lakeside tree. I watched as it watched the hopeful anglers on the shoreline. Then, when they caught a fish, landed it and unhooked it, they would throw it back into the lake. The moment they did, the eagle would swoop down instantly, dive into the water and come up…yes, you’re right…with that recycled fish. Their eyesight is very sharp. The eagle had a mate, but I haven’t seen it this year so far.

Also, occasionally I would see a turtle perched on a rock in the shade of some growing greenery at the lake. And what would a lakeside community also have but the chorus of frogs at eventide? On the lake, the little sailboats, powered by remote-controlled by wanna-be captains, gently glide around the lake and back. Standing patiently on the bank is the heron, statue-like and then, for unknown reasons, he flaps his wings and soars away. More predictable are the many gaggles of geese and the flocks of ducks that frequently dot the area. I am amused by the Canada geese. They are a show unto themselves! They strut slowly across the streets and all the traffic must wait (patiently or impatiently) for them to finish their crossings. And they are impervious to someone honking a car horn. And invariably there will be one or two who change their minds halfway across the street. Another opportunity for practicing patience and reminding us to slow down. But they are beautiful and entertaining.

And this little lake park has picnic tables under shade trees. People bring their picnics and make it a festive day outing. As I walked further around the lake, I noticed three teenage girls sitting on the grass at the edge of the lake. I was struck first with the happy giggling and laughter of their conversation. They were obviously oblivious of anything or anyone around them, so immersed in their private sharing. 

On a large green knoll, with a sparkling blue water background, sometimes there will be a formally wedding-dressed lady with her black tuxedoed mate having their picture taken by our local photographer DJ Craig. Here on prom night, the young teens saunter and chatter in their formal attire. I have also seen a wedding ceremony on the launching deck (no motors allowed) where you can launch your own boat.

The well-placed arboretum-like willow trees gracefully sway in the gentle breezes, now fully dressed in their spring greens. They are the last to shed their leaves in the winter and the first to produce new leaves in the spring. 

An exciting yet welcoming sight are hoofprints in the earth early in the day. Elk are our early risers and feed on any green morsels they can find. It has been tougher now since we have had little rain to grow the greenery for them outside the park. But they are tenacious, and I have seen them eat many surprising shrub-bits that don’t look very appetizing. In this community there is an understanding — the elk don’t bother us, we appreciate them. They munch and graze around the lake; we walk and watch them. It works out well. 



Thanks for joining me on this little adventure around our lake. I have yet to meet a grumpy person. All who visit are of good nature or respond with appreciation as I wish them a happy day, and, of course, bend down to pet their doggy. 

The sign says it all.