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Saturday, Aug. 15, 2009

Sarah Lim: Historic recreational spots in Merced

Mercedians have enjoyed spring picnics in Courthouse Park, summer splashing at Lake Yosemite, autumn walks along Bear Creek and annual rodeos in Bear Creek Park (now known as Applegate Park).

Although Merced's summer is extremely hot and winter is cold, it never stops Merced residents from participating in outdoor activities. It is a testament to early developers that many beautiful parks and recreation facilities left the drawing board and became reality in Merced when the town was still young.

For more than 134 years, Courthouse Park has been the site of many gatherings. It is a place where people come to have fun, to celebrate and to pray. Today, Courthouse Park continues to host a variety of community events and ceremonies. The historic courthouse for which the park was named was turned into a county history museum in 1983.

Nature gave Merced beautiful Bear Creek, with water running from the Sierra Nevada. The gift also has been a curse to Merced because it has flooded the city during heavy spring rains. The creek was a recreational spot for fishing and boating. Today, Merced residents enjoy walking and biking along the creek -- fishing and boating are no longer permitted. Periodically, playful youngsters use the creek for swimming.

Lake Yosemite and Applegate Park are popular recreational destinations in the Merced area today. Lake Yosemite, a water reservoir built in 1888, was turned into a recreational spot in the 1930s. Sailors, windsurfers, swimmers, fishing enthusiasts, water-skiers, and picnickers alike have enjoyed this beautiful lake and tree-lined shore for many decades.

Merced County Historical Society, for example, holds its annual September barbecue fundraiser at Lake Yosemite and proceeds benefit Courthouse Museum programs and Bill and Tom Agricultural Scholarship. Tickets are now available at the Museum Gift Shop.

Applegate Park, bordering Bear Creek between M and R streets, was built on land purchased from funds available from Lewis Hammer Applegate's bequest. Applegate was a bachelor farmer and banker in the area. Upon his death on Aug. 10, 1925, he bequeathed $25,000 out of his estate for the creation of a public library. The city of Merced requested that the money be used for the construction of a public park because a public library was already in existence.

After a court decision, the city's request was granted and the land for a park was purchased. Today, it offers a variety of family activities from playgrounds to Kiddieland, from Applegate Park Zoo to Laura Fountain, and from volleyball courts to the Merced Open Air Theater. There is fun for everyone in this historic landmark that continues to be a destination for recreation.

For more history and vintage images of Merced's recreational facilities, please visit the Courthouse Museum Gift Shop and purchase a copy of "Greetings from Fountain City." The museum's regular hours are 1 to 4 p.m Wednesday through Sunday.

Sarah Lim is director of Merced County Courthouse Museum. She may be contacted at (209) 723-2401 or info@mercedmuseum.org.