Denzil Stewart Nature Park History

Denzil Stewart Nature Park in Logan Courtesy & Photo Copyright Mike Fish, Photographer See also UtahBirds.org
Denzil Stewart Nature Park in Logan
Courtesy & Copyright Mike Fish, Photographer
See also UtahBirds.org
Over the years Bridgerland Audubon has worked very hard to make sure that Denzil Stewart Nature Park remain true to Denzil Stewart’s request, that the land he donated be used as a nature park.

 

Historical Context

From the Bridgerland Audubon Newsletter The Stilt: Vol 18 #6 February 1990:

Nature Park to be Combined Effort


In 1975 Denzil Stewart deeded 4.2 acres to Logan City with a string attached: the property was to be developed as a nature park. The area is along Logan River between River Heights and Logan. A bridge at First South and River Circle, (approximately Sixth East) provides access from Logan; from River Heights, a path comes down from Stewart Hill.

Time passed. Nothing happened.

Bob Atwood, member of the Bridgerland Audubon Board of Directors, knew the area was inhabited by nesting flickers, chickadees, western tanagers, dippers and flycatchers. He heard that Mr. Stewart was considering possessing the land, since it was not being developed and was attracting animals of the party variety who were disturbing the neighbors. Envisioning the area as a convenient learning resource for the townspeople. Bob put together the following proposal to develop the park, with foot trails, fences, and informative materials.

BOB’S PROPOSAL
I recommend that Logan City, Bridgerland Audubon Society, and the Cache Valley Council of the Boy Scouts of America join together for the development and improvement of Denzil Stewart Nature Park to enhance its original purpose as a nature park. The specific proposal is for Bridgerland Audubon to provide technical assistance regarding identification of bird species, plants, trees and other wildlife that inhabit the park. Based upon this information and study, and working with the Parks and Recreation Department of Logan City, Improvement projects would then be done as Eagle Scout Service Projects by young men of the Cache Valley Boy Scout Council with supervision and assistance from Logan City and Bridgerland Audubon as necessary.

The hoped for result is an improved nature park where citizens of all ages could enjoy and learn more about birds, plants, trees, and wildlife as they exist in the natural state.

Obligations and Opportunities of Each Group

Boy Scout Council would provide young men needing Eagle Scout Service Projects. The council itself would not incur any financial costs, but individual scouts may be involved in fund raising to help defray costs of a specific project. The council would utilize the park in merit badge and skill award advancements.

Bridgerland Audubon would help identify the birds, plants and trees in the park area, recommend projects, and work individually with scouts as necessary on approved projects. Cache Audubon would utilize the park for beginning bird-watching tours and nature studies.

Logan City as legal owners of the property would approve all projects, provide financial support to specific projects within existing budget limitations and be glad for the help of Audubon and the Boy Scouts.

Projects

This proposal does not contemplate improvements such as grass and picnic tables. It is nature oriented and education oriented. The following types of projects ought to be considered.

  1. A small covered information area, similar to those found in national parks identifying the area by name as a nature park and, under a covered section, providing specific information about the plants, trees and birds inhabiting the park area. Some financial support should be considered by Logan City.
  2. A nature fence on the northern boundary so park access is restricted to foot traffic only.
  3. Nature trail.
  4. Signs in front of trees and shrubs identifying them by name.
  5. Rest benches at identified locations. (Helpful to older people.)
  6. Copies of bird checklists, provided by Audubon.
  7. Projects identified by Audubon and Logan City.

— Bob Atwood

The Latest Developments
This proposal has been endorsed by Audubon, the Scouts, and Logan City. Bob has been appointed chairman of the Stewart Nature Park Committee. The city surveyer will mark the boundaries, and work will begin to install a footbridge, to exclude mechanized travel. Bob said, “We will need the technical help of many of our members. If you are interested in working on this project, please call me at 752-9284.”  

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The Park Deed June 23, 1975

 “The…property is conveyed to Logan City and its successors based upon the expressed condition, that the land will be developed and used only as a Nature Park, depicting the natural plants, trees, shrubs, animals, birds etc., historically natural and native to the Cache Valley area…. The Nature Park will be entitled DENZIL STEWART NATURE PARK.” …read more from the original deed…

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Denzil Stewart Nature Park Brochure, 1995

Von W. Hubbard, Logan City/Bridgerland Audubon, 1995 Nature Park Brochure

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From the Stilt Vol 32 Issue 4, April 2003 p3:

Earth Day Celebration. On Saturday, April 19th, there will be a tree planting at Denzil Stewart Nature Park to celebrate Earth Day. The park is located at 700 East 100 South in Logan. This event begins at 1 1 a.m. Activities include tree planting, nature walks and talks, and music. A Kid’s Parade starts at 2 p.m., costumes welcome. Baby trees, shovels, and refreshments will be provided. Old clothes and gloves recommended. Smiles required. For more information call the Utah Conservation Corps at (435) 797-0964.

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From The Stilt, Vol 19 Issue 2, November 1990 

Denzil Stewart Nature Park In Progress. The City is shopping for a footbridge and working on a fence to enclose the four acres of riverside property. Eagle Scouts are working on signs to discourage hunting and pets. Encourage your city council members to support this development.  

Riverbank Restoration Demonstration Project
BioWest, Allred Restoration & Logan City Parks & Recreation, Riverbank Restoration Demonstration Project(.pdf)

Retention Basin Planting Plan 
BioWest & Logan City Parks & Recreation, Retention Basin Planting Plan(.pdf)

Park Flora & Fauna 

A nature park by definition contains plants and animals from nature.
These lists detail the flora and fauna from the Denzil Stewart Nature Park

Helpful Links:

Google Maps Satelite View of Denzil Stewart Nature Park: https://www.google.com/maps/@41.7289108,-111.8199519,390m/data=!3m1!1e3

Denzil Stewart Nature Park River Bank Stabilization Demonstration Project Brochure

Bridgerland Audubon Society: https://bridgerlandaudubon.org
Cache Council, Boy Scouts of America: https://www.trappertrails.org/
Logan City Parks & Recreation: https://www.loganutah.org/government/departments/parks_and_recreation/index.php
USU Extension: https://extension.usu.edu/  

Recent Improvements


Kiosk Staining:
The Rotary Club of Logan and volunteers powerwashed and restained the kiosk. Logan City provided the stain. Following are a few before and after pictures from the project:

Click to Visit: Kiosk before stainingClick to Visit: Kiosk after stainingClick to Visit: Kiosk back (east) wall after stainingClick to Visit: Kiosk south wall after staining
Click to Visit: Kiosk riverside after stainingClick to Visit: Kiosk front after stainingClick to Visit: Kiosk back before stainingClick to Visit: Kiosk back after staining
Click to Visit: Kiosk back after staining
 

 
Tree Plantings:

The Bigtooth Maple trees are the Larry Rupp cions, propagated from the finest Fall maple color located by flying over Logan Canyon in a helicopter.

Bigtooth Maple Planting Denzil Stewart Nature Park 29 April 2020 USU Arborist Dane Gyllenskog placing the Bigtooth Maple in the hole prepared by Wilson Neighborhood Council Denzil Stewart Nature Park Committee members Bronwyn O'Hara and Keith Schnare Courtesy & Copyright Hilary Shughart, Photographer
Bigtooth Maple Planting
Denzil Stewart Nature Park
29 April 2020
USU Arborist Dane Gyllenskog placing the Bigtooth Maple in the hole prepared by Wilson Neighborhood Council Denzil Stewart Nature Park Committee members Bronwyn O’Hara and Keith Schnare
Courtesy & Copyright Hilary Shughart, Photographer

Bigtooth Maple Planting Retired Arborist and Wilson Neighborhood Council Denzil Stewart Nature Park Committee member John Tallmadge holds a Bigtooth Maple as Keith Schnare and Dane Gyllenskog backfill. April 29, 2020. Courtesy & Copyright Hilary Shughart, Photographer
Bigtooth Maple Planting
Retired Arborist and Wilson Neighborhood Council Denzil Stewart Nature Park Committee member John Tallmadge holds a Bigtooth Maple as Keith Schnare and Dane Gyllenskog backfill. April 29, 2020.
Courtesy & Copyright Hilary Shughart, Photographer

Bigtooth Maple Planting Denzil Stewart Nature Park 29 April 2020 Courtesy & Copyright Hilary Shughart, Photographer
Bigtooth Maple Planting
Denzil Stewart Nature Park
29 April 2020
Courtesy & Copyright Hilary Shughart, Photographer

Gambrel Oak, Planted Oct 10, 2020-Donated by Logan City Forester Rex Davis for the Denzil Stewart Nature Park-Courtesy & © Hilary Shughart, Photographer
One of Five Gambrel Oak, Planted Oct 10, 2020
Donated by Logan City Forester Rex Davis
for the Denzil Stewart Nature Park
Courtesy & © Hilary Shughart, Photographer

USU Center for Water-Efficient Landscaping (CWEL) Donated Trees for the Denzil Stewart Nature Park Planted Oct 30, 2020 Courtesy & © Hilary Shughart, Photographer
USU Center for Water-Efficient Landscaping
(CWEL) Donated Trees for the
Denzil Stewart Nature Park
Planted Oct 30, 2020
Courtesy & © Hilary Shughart, Photographer

Mayor Daines at the Denzil Stewart Nature Park Tree Planting Oct 30, 2020 Courtesy & © Hilary Shughart, Photographer
Mayor Daines at the Denzil Stewart Nature Park Tree Planting Oct 30, 2020
Courtesy & © Hilary Shughart, Photographer

Kiosk Staining:
The Rotary Club of Logan and volunteers power-washed and re-stained the kiosk. Logan City provided the stain. Following are a few before and after pictures from the project:

Click to Visit: Kiosk before stainingClick to Visit: Kiosk after stainingClick to Visit: Kiosk back (east) wall pre stainingClick to Visit: Kiosk south wall after staining
Click to Visit: Kiosk riverside before stainingClick to Visit: Kiosk front pre stainingClick to Visit: Kiosk back pre stainingClick to Visit: Kiosk back post staining
Click to Visit: Kiosk back post stainingClick to Visit: Campsite under the trees, A cleanup projectClick to Visit: Pre-Mulch Project Pathway

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Kiosk Staining–Larger Images
The Rotary Club of Logan and volunteers power-washed and re-stained the kiosk. Logan City provided the stain. Following are a few before and after pictures from the project:

Kiosk before staining
Kiosk before staining
Courtesy & © Hilary Shughart, Photographer

Kiosk after staining
Kiosk after staining
Courtesy & © Hilary Shughart, Photographer

Kiosk back (east) wall pre staining
Kiosk back (east) wall pre staining
Courtesy & © Hilary Shughart, Photographer

Kiosk south wall after staining
Kiosk south wall after staining
Courtesy & © Hilary Shughart, Photographer

Kiosk riverside before staining
Kiosk riverside before staining
Courtesy & © Hilary Shughart, Photographer

Kiosk front pre staining
Kiosk front pre staining
Courtesy & © Hilary Shughart, Photographer

Kiosk back pre staining
Kiosk back pre staining
Courtesy & © Hilary Shughart, Photographer

Kiosk back post staining
Kiosk back post staining
Courtesy & © Hilary Shughart, Photographer

Kiosk back post staining
Kiosk back post staining
Courtesy & © Hilary Shughart, Photographer

Campsite under the trees
A cleanup project
Campsite under the trees
A cleanup project
Courtesy & © Hilary Shughart, Photographer

Pre-Mulch Project Pathway
Pre-Mulch Project Pathway
Courtesy & © Hilary Shughart, Photographer