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0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate NEWS NOW ODOT mower believed to have sparked blaze near Hugo ... Rogue Valley boat makers floating higher as economy improves ... Jackson County Jail needs help ... ODOT mower believed to have sparked blaze near Hugo ... Rogue Valley boat makers floating higher as economy improves ... Jackson County Jail needs help ... Restoring Roxy Ann Students team with experts to restore Conservation Corps' work Brent Smith knew exactly what kind of stone he needed to fill a gap in the rock stairs leading up to the Roxy Ann Peak overlook. Comment By paul fattig MailTribune.com By paul fattig Posted May. 3, 2008 at 2:00 AM By paul fattig Posted May. 3, 2008 at 2:00 AM » Social News Brent Smith knew exactly what kind of stone he needed to fill a gap in the rock stairs leading up to the Roxy Ann Peak overlook. "It has to be flat on top," he said as he carefully sorted through a jumbled pile. "But it also has to be straight on the bottom." Working alongside stone mason Jesse Biesanz, the 15-year-old Smith was one of 28 students from Crater Academy of Natural Science in Central Point restoring old Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) structures in Medford's 1,700-acre Prescott Park on Thursday. The overlook with its stairs made of basalt rock found on the hill was one of several structures built by the CCC, which was created by Franklin D. Roosevelt on April 4, 1933, to give young American men jobs during the Great Depression. In recognition of the 75th anniversary of the CCC's creation, David Nolen and fellow academy teacher Celine Fulton arranged to work with the Medford Parks and Recreation Department, local professionals and academy students to restore CCC projects on Roxy Ann. In addition to restoring stonework and trails built by the CCC, the students are helping to survey part of the park and take photographs of the projects atop the ancient lava cone that rises above east Medford. The students will complete their work on May 8. One of four small schools created out of the former Crater High School, the academy focuses on knowledge and stewardship of nature and outdoors through volunteering and internships. Professionals who volunteered to help the students on the project included Biesanz of Biesanz Stoneworks, members of the Lomakatsi Foundation and surveyors Stuart Osmus of Terrasurvey Inc. of Ashland and Joseph Bova with the city of Medford. Nearly a mile from the overlook, Nolen and Lomakatsi crew members were helping the students rebuild an old trail. "We're not sure if this was a CCC trail," Nolen said. "What we did was look at a map and found this old trail on it. "We found evidence down below where they stacked rocks along the contour," he added. "We think it was a CCC trail. In any case, this lets the students experience what the CCC would have been doing." Ashley Jones and Kaitlin Shaw, both 15, got a chance to experience the CCC work on the rocky trail. The two students used Pulaskis to dig out a boulder the size of a basketball in the middle of the path. "We're rebuilding this trail so people can actually use them again and enjoy the gorgeous views," Ashley said. "I'm enjoying it. "At my dad's old work, we used to go out in the forest and make campgrounds," she added. "We used to dig out big boulders." Nor did Kaitlin mind the hard labor. "I like physical activity," she said as she took a break from picking the trail bed with a Pulaski. "I used to live out in the boondocks so I've used a lot of different tools." Back at the overlook, Biesanz was impressed by the CCC's use of an old process known as dry stone stacking. "It was a rougher job but it was done nicely in that context," observed Biesanz, a stone mason whose family has been in the stone business since the Civil War. "There is a lot of lava stone on this hill and they carefully selected it and set it," he added. "You can see most of these stairs are still solid and in good shape. The place feels usable." But erosion and use over the decades have taken their toll in different areas, he said. "We're trying to emulate the existing work so that it looks like it should and provides good access," he said. Like Brent, student Billy Collins, 16, was also searching for flat rocks for the stairs. "My mom says I should be working with my hands," Billy said. "Maybe in the future I could be doing this." With Biesanz' help, Brent finally found the stone he was looking for. It didn't fit into the gap at first try. "Sometimes it's not the way you think it would be," Biesanz offered. Brent flipped the rock over. It fit perfectly, like a missing tooth filling a gap in a row of front teeth. "Good job — you got it," Biesanz said. Reach reporter Paul Fattig at 776-4496 or e-mail him at [email protected]. By paul fattig MailTribune.com By paul fattig Posted May. 3, 2008 at 2:00 AM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... 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