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New book covers Jacksonville trail system By Tony Boom Nov 12, 2022 12:45 AM A A 3 View all photos Madrones and oaks line a trail in the Jacksonville Woodlands. [Mail Tribune/file photo] Doug Hein, of Jacksonville, gets in his morning walk on the Rich Gulch trail in the Jacksonville Woodlands recently. [Jamie Lusch / Mail Tribune] A new book shines a light on a local jewel, the trail system in the Jacksonville Woodlands. “Jacksonville’s Emerald Necklace: From Goldmines to Woodland Trails” covers the development of a trail system that now includes 270 acres of land, 21 properties and 16 miles of trails that began in 1989. The just-published book recounts the collaborative efforts of the community, volunteers, government bodies and nonprofits that resulted in the system. Larry Smith, the book’s author, was in on the founding of the Jacksonville Woodlands Association in 1989 when he and a neighbor saw for sale signs on the Beekman Woods properly and started an effort to preserve the 20-acre tract. Smith was executive director of the group for 20 years until 2021, when the position was renamed development director, a post he holds. Smith could have chosen to just detail the efforts that led to $4.5 million in fundraising to acquire the land, but he also goes into the backstories that led to creation of the system, starting with the discovery of gold in Jacksonville in the 1850s and covering the town’s rises and declines over the next 170 years. “I didn’t want it to read like a novel. It’s a resource book. It’s a book you’d go to and find out very specific things,” said Smith. In doing that he has created a book where individual chapters can be read for entertainment, edification or both. Two separate chapters cover dealings with Oregon state higher education institutions that held land which became part of the system. In both cases, the land was bequeathed to the institutions. The book details the not always easy negotiations that took place as the institutions initially looked at getting the highest possible monetary return by selling to developers. The University of Oregon was ultimately convinced to let the association secure the Beekman Woods. Southern Oregon State College, now Southern Oregon University, held the 80-acre Britt woods, but it too was acquired. Both sites now include trails. The Woodlands Association was created with the idea that it would not hold land, so after acquisition the parcels were turned over to the city, Jackson County or the Bureau of Land Management. In one case, the association held title to a property for only 10 minutes. Verne Beebe donated the 10-acre Beebe Woods parcel to the group, which immediately did a quit claim to the city. Besides Smith’s writing, there are contributions Smith solicited from individuals who had been involved in adding to the woodlands. Among the contributors is Brian Mulhollen, who in 1992 at 11 years old convinced the city of Medford to sell a 10-acre quarry site in the western part of town for the same $1,040 it paid for it in 1908. There are now three trails on the property below the Jacksonville Cemetery. Readers will also learn that the “Emerald Necklace” description originated with former City Councilor Joyce Coleman referring to the woodlands encircling the town. About 70% of the downtown area is surrounded by properties secured by the association. Smith had wanted to write the book for 10 years. After assembling some funding in 2019, he approached professional writers, but none accepted. At the urging of his wife, Linda, he began the undertaking. When the pandemic hit it provided him with the time to write. Editing was done by Ginna Gordon of Jacksonville’s Luck Valley Press, while David Gordon handled the layout. Jacksonville Woodlands Association is the publisher. The book has an index and an appendix with eight categories of information. “I found out that I’m not a writer, but if you have a good editor, they make you look really good,” said Smith. While writing didn’t come easily to him, he realized he is good at collecting information. Another discovery was the science behind what the miners did to the forests as they worked claims on land that would later become part of the system. Research done by Eugene Hickman on ecological impacts to the Rich Gulch area is included in one chapter. Smith credits the late Robbie Collins, a primary mover in the recognition and preservation of Jacksonville’s historic past, with getting him to write down what was happening and to preserve documents. Smith has 13 file boxes full of woodlands materials “Robbie told me,'You need to start writing this stuff down,’ and I said, ‘I’d never forget this,’” Smith recalled of their conversation 20 years ago. Now he finds he can’t always remember details and appreciates the suggestion. A total of $13,000 was raised to cover costs for preparation and printing the book. That included a $6,000 donation from the Raymond Family Foundation. Printing the book in color increased the cost. It’s soft bound with 418 pages. A total of 200 copies were printed. Proceeds go to the association. Due to the size of the book, which includes 418 photos, drawing and maps, it is not offered for online sale. Copies are $45, including shipping, or $40 if arrangements are made to pick it up from Smith. He can be reached by emailing [email protected]. The book can also be found in Jacksonville at The Happy Alpaca Toys and Supplies, Rebel Heart Books and Art Presence. Information on the association and trails is available at jvwoodlands.org. Reach Ashland freelance writer Tony Boom at [email protected].