Valerie Cassity-Special to the Sun

Last August, Riverside Park lost one of its largest trees due to disease, and Virginia McLaughlin, owner of Kern River Inn Bed and Breakfast, along with concerned Kernville resident Laura Oreskovich, immediately began a fundraising effort to replace the tree. Little did the two women know how much their efforts would pay off.

McLaughlin and Oreskovich walk their dogs in Riverside Park daily, and hold regular potlucks with other dog lovers there. When they heard that a large tree, which provides a great amount of shade, was going to be removed, they decided to do something to ensure that it would be replaced. They created and distributed flyers around Kernville, and went to local businesses asking for donations, and through their efforts raised $2,000 for the cause. El Rio and Primo's were the first businesses to donate, then Cheryl's Diner put a sign and bucket for money collection, and then the Kernville Chamber and its members donated $1,000. McLaughlin and Oreskovich also received money in the mail from local residents and the Kern River Valley Woman's Club, as well as people who used to live here and saw the article in the Sun. Individual donations ranged from $4 to $100. “We were amazed at how many people actually gave money, and we were really amazed at the amount the Chamber came up with. Even the little donations added up, so thank you to all who were involved; it really did make a difference,” said Oreskovich.

Frandy Campground volunteered to store and water the trees because planting was delayed due to cold snap earlier in the year. They also assisted in planting the trees, and boys from Camp Owen came out for several days to help backfill the dirt.

Volunteers recently planted 11 24-inch by 34-inch box trees with the $2,000 raised, and 10 have survived. The trees planted include four sycamores, three Bradford pear, one deodora cedar, one white alder, and two sequoias. One of the sequoias died, but the other is doing well. “The trees are doing beautifully; they have all leafed out and the county has been really good about watering them and making sure they are staked,” said Oreskovich, who urged everyone to visit the park and see what a difference the new trees have made. “It's important that the park is beautiful and we need the shade, that's for sure.”