Jaquelyn Street

Pretty entry arbor with climbing rose bush.

Jaquelyn Street

Quiet, rural-feeling street.

Homes built mostly in the 1990s.

Meet a gardener who loves bright colors.

This is a quiet street near Siskiyou Blvd, Tolman Creek Road, Clay Street and Takelma Way. As I walked the length of Jaquelyn Street in July 2023, I saw many other people walking and bicycling this rural-feeling street as well. The first houses were built here in 1979, the most recent in 2011. Most were built in the 1990s. You will see photos of geometric and colorful yard art, flowers and open space waiting to be developed. I will conclude by describing my visit with a creative gardener who loves bright colors.

Jaquelyn St - location map
Location of Jaquelyn Street in relation to Siskiyou Blvd, Tolman Creek Road and Takelma Way. (from google maps)

North end of Jaquelyn Street

Street signs: Jaquelyn Street and Takelma Way, at the north end of Jaquelyn Street.
Street signs: Jaquelyn Street and Takelma Way, at the north end of Jaquelyn Street.
(photo by Peter Finkle, 2023)

I began my walk from Takelma Way, at the north end of Jaquelyn Street.

North end of Jaquelyn Street, where it meets Takelma Way
North end of Jaquelyn Street, where it meets Takelma Way. (photo by Peter Finkle, 2023)
First house on the north end of Jaquelyn Street.
First house on the north end of Jaquelyn Street. (photo by Peter Finkle, 2023)

Part of a very walkable neighborhood

People out for a walk on Jaquelyn Street.
People out for a walk on Jaquelyn Street. (photo by Peter Finkle, 2023)

With the lack of direct connections with any busy auto-filled streets and the open fields that are still not developed with housing, Jaquelyn Street still has as bit of rural feeling. Both times I walked along the street, other people were also out walking and bicycling.

Little Free Library and "We Believe" sign on Jaquelyn Street
Little Free Library and “We Believe” sign on Jaquelyn Street. (photo by Peter Finkle, 2023)

Little Free Libraries have sprung up all over Ashland. They add to the neighborhood feeling, as people share their gently used books with each other. This Little Free Library has a bit of inspiration on the side.

"Gratitude turns what we have into enough." sign on the Little Free Library.
“Gratitude turns what we have into enough.” sign on the Little Free Library. (photo by Peter Finkle, 2023)

Two open lots on Jaquelyn Street 

Here are photos of the two open lots on Jaquelyn Street, one large and one small.

Large open field on Jaquelyn Street
Large open field on Jaquelyn Street. (photo by Peter Finkle, 2023)
Small open lot on Jaquelyn Street.
Small open lot on Jaquelyn Street. (photo by Peter Finkle, 2023)

I have seen many versions of “please pick up after your dog” signs in streets all over town, but I have never seen one quite like this.

"There is no poop fairy" sign.
“There is no poop fairy” sign. (photo by Peter Finkle, 2023)

A couple of houses that caught my eye

Large house and lot.
Large house and lot. (photo by Peter Finkle, 2023)
925 Jaquelyn Street, built in 1999.
925 Jaquelyn Street, built in 1999. (photo by Peter Finkle, 2023)

Flowers on Jaquelyn Street

Flower-filled entrance
Flower-accented entrance. (photo by Peter Finkle, 2023)
This is a lovely setting for marigold flowers.
This is a lovely setting for marigold flowers. (photo by Peter Finkle, 2023)
Pretty entry arbor with climbing rose bush.
Pretty entry arbor with climbing rose bush. (photo by Peter Finkle, 2023)

Tree talk

Ashland has chosen a Tree of the Year each year, since 1988. I have photo essays about a few of our Trees of the Year, including the two trees in this photo. Taken in a front yard on Jaquelyn Street, the photo shows a small, thriving Tree of Heaven (Ailanthus) and a smaller, dead Monkey Puzzle tree. I researched and wrote about both of these types of trees.

Thriving Tree of Heaven (Ailanthus) "weed" and dead Monkey Puzzle Tree.
Thriving Tree of Heaven (Ailanthus) “weed” and dead Monkey Puzzle Tree. (photo by Peter Finkle, 2023)

Tree of Heaven is an invasive species that crowds out native trees where it is allowed to spread unchecked. You can learn about it at my photo essay: “Tree of the Year 1989: Tree of Heaven.”

Monkey Puzzle tree is a very unusual tree with as very unusual name, and there are only a few of them in Ashland. If you want to learn about the tree and how it got the name “Monkey Puzzle,” check out this photo essay: “Tree of the Year 1990: Monkey Puzzle tree.”

South end of Jaquelyn Street

South end of Jaquelyn Street, looking toward Ashley Senior Apartments.
South end of Jaquelyn Street, looking toward Ashley Senior Apartments. (photo by Peter Finkle, 2023)

At the south end of Jaquelyn Street, it stops before the Ashley Apartments. A path makes a pedestrian connection with Siskiyou Blvd, but cars have to go to Tolman Creek Road or Clay Street to access the boulevard. 

Houses at the south end of Jaquelyn Street.
Houses at the south end of Jaquelyn Street. (photo by Peter Finkle, 2023)
Parking lot for Ashley Senior Apartments,
Parking lot for Ashley Senior Apartments at 2301 Siskiyou Blvd, just south of the end of Jaquelyn Street. (photo by Peter Finkle, 2023)

Yard Art 

Intriguing geometric designs on a garage door.
Intriguing geometric designs on a garage door. (photo by Peter Finkle, 2023)
Asian art and interesting shaped Madrone tree in yard.
Asian art and interesting shaped Madrone tree in yard. (photo by Peter Finkle, 2023)

The brightest yard on the street

Bright red doors and colorful front yard at 885 Jaquelyn Street.
Bright red doors and colorful front yard at 885 Jaquelyn Street. (photo by Peter Finkle, 2023)

885 Jaquelyn Street has a beautiful, art-filled garden. I talked with the home owner and garden goddess Alejandra during Jaquelyn Street walk on July 23, 2023. Before I headed out the door on the 23rd, my wife told me, “I wish you good serendipity today.” Walking by Alejandra’s garden just as she was out watering was certainly sweet serendipity for the day. 

I introduced myself and told her I had taken many photos of her garden a few days before. I exclaimed at the lively, colorful art in her yard, as well as the warmth provided by the bright red doors. Alejandra replied simply, “I love color.” She added that many people taking walks along Jaquelyn Street will stop to admire the garden. If she is out front, they tell her that her garden lifts their spirits and brightens their day. She laughed as she suggested maybe that’s why the plants are so healthy, because they “feel the love.”

Bright colors and unique designs.
Bright colors and unique designs. (photo by Peter Finkle, 2023)
Alejandra shows her sense of humor with this yard art.
Alejandra shows her sense of humor with this yard art. (photo by Peter Finkle, 2023)
2 Comments
  • Mary H
    Posted at 08:07h, 01 September Reply

    Always love your acquainting us with the beauty and quirkness of our neighborhoods. Thanks agin for this Jacqueline St tour !

    • Peter Finkle
      Posted at 10:36h, 01 September Reply

      Mary,
      You are very welcome.
      I love finding small “treasures” to share with people in photos and stories as I walk around Ashland.
      Peter

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