The Living Landscape: Clearlake Oaks' Clarks Island and Nylander Park
- Kathleen Scavone
- Posted On
CLEARLAKE OAKS, Calif. – If you're out and about around the lake there are two mini-parks in Clearlake Oaks where you can picnic, fish or simply bird-watch – Clarks Island and Nylander Park. Both provide a shady respite from a busy day.
According to the Konocti Regional Trails Web site, Clarks Island, which in 1.48 acres, is located off of Highway 20 and was purchased by the county of Lake/Redevelopment Agency in 2007 with the idea of an all-encompassing plan for environmental sustainability, Native American flora, interpretive panels and more.
As reported in the Lake County News in 2010, a unique plan to help the native tule reeds proliferate was undertaken by volunteers at this site.
Surprisingly enough, a company called Floating Islands West undertook the venture to launch a 150-foot manmade island made of thousands of recycled plastic bottles, and was set into place with two large anchors and held thriving tule reeds.
The idea behind the floating island concept is that there is an opportunity to restore habitat, filter out nitrates, phosphates and other detrimental pollutants from waterways, while also controlling erosion of lake and stream banks. There have been lengthy efforts to obtain grants and other funding for this pilot project to sustain our waters.
River otters and a wide variety of avian species can be spotted here. Although I don't see the otter on this particular day, there are coots and white egrets in the water.
While observing a mallard family at Clarks Island I watch as they deftly glide about the lake dining on flora. Then, dragonflies appear out of the corner of my eye – those messengers of summer have emerged from their aquatic, brown nymph period to consume hundreds of mosquitoes each day.
Nearby, across the highway from Clarks island is lovely Nylander Park, which celebrated its completion in 2008.
As the Lake County News reported then, the land upon which the park sits was purchased from Red and White Market owner Gary Nylander, hence, the park's name.
Although it is only one acre in size, it sports a relaxing atmosphere with its 40 trees that include crepe myrtles, Chinese pistache, gingko biloba, flowering plums and more. Its tables, benches and barbeques all beckon you to spend time upon its cool, greensward.
As previously reported by Elizabeth Larson, the area that the park rests on was once the location of the town's post office, barber shop and other downtown shops.
At the park dedication in 2008, Nylander spoke of his grandmother, Cora Nylander, who passed away at age 104, having arrived in Clearlake Oaks with her husband 75 years ago, when they ran the grocery store for 50 years. the park now has a display of ceramic tiles which honor those who assisted in making the park a reality.
Kathleen Scavone, M.A., is a retired educator, potter, freelance writer and author of “Anderson Marsh State Historic Park: A Walking History, Prehistory, Flora, and Fauna Tour of a California State Park” and “Native Americans of Lake County.”