Grizzly Drive, Cub Circle, Berry Lane: Pocket parks and mudpie cupcakes

"Flamingo Crossing" on Grizzly Drive.

Grizzly Drive, Cub Circle, Berry Lane: Pocket parks and mudpie cupcakes

Shade trees and pocket parks.

I encounter (but do not eat) mudpie cupcakes!

“Flamingo Crossing” ahead.

Photo essay published in 2023.

Mudpie cupcakes

As I began my July 2023 walk along Grizzly Drive, my first sight was a man and two small children in the front yard. I ventured closer to introduce myself and noticed that the children had mud-covered hands and big smiles. Soon I was engaged in conversation with their father, who informed me: “They are making mudpie cupcakes.” Getting into the spirit of the moment, I asked the kids, “Who is going to eat them? The worms?” Everyone agreed that made sense.

Daniel (dad), Brigid and Leland making mudpies.
Daniel (dad), Brigid and Leland making mudpies. (photo by Peter Finkle, 2023)

After that unusual beginning to a conversation, I learned that Daniel is a stay-at-home dad, that daughter Brigid is named after a Celtic goddess, and that son Leland has a family name. 

Daniel told me he grew up in the Rogue Valley and often visited Ashland on weekends. After Brigid was born, he and his wife Ariel decided to move to Southern Oregon to be closer to family. 

I pointed to tree-lined Grizzly Drive and asked if the family enjoys the neighborhood. He said they love going for walks because of all the paths and pocket parks within a few blocks, as well as the small bridges that cross Clay Creek and connect the neighborhood with Clay Street. He added that the family meets many neighbors out for a walk when the kids play in the front yard, as they were doing the day of my walk.

Grizzly Drive from Tolman Creek Road to Jaquelyn Street

I began my walk at the Tolman Creek Road end of the street. As I strolled along Grizzly Drive, I noticed there were two cul de sacs off the street, so Cub Circle and Berry Lane are included in this photo essay.

Map showing Grizzly Drive, Cub Circle and Berry Lane.
Map showing Grizzly Drive, Cub Circle and Berry Lane.
street signs: Grizzly Dirve and Tolman Creek Rd.
Street signs: Grizzly Drive and Tolman Creek Road.(photo by Peter Finkle, 2023)

Grizzly Drive is one block south of the equally lovely Takelma Way neighborhood. 

Grizzly Drive overview from Tolman Creek Road.
Grizzly Drive overview from Tolman Creek Road. (photo by Peter Finkle, 2023)

Another friendly, walkable street

Shady sidewalks for strolling on Grizzly Drive
Shady sidewalks for strolling on Grizzly Drive. (photo by Peter Finkle, 2023)

The houses on Grizzly Drive, Cub Circle and Berry Lane were mostly built in the late 1980s. 

Looking east on Grizzly Drive from Jaquelyn Street.
Looking east on Grizzly Drive from Jaquelyn Street. (photo by Peter Finkle, 2023)

Pocket parks make a difference

Cub Circle and Berry Lane are small cul de sacs that feel larger because of adjacent pocket parks. Filled with green lawns and large trees, this oasis serves neighborhood residents. 

Pocket park off Cub Circle
Pocket park off Cub Circle. (photo by Peter Finkle, 2023)
Big tree in the pocket park.
Big tree in the pocket park. (photo by Peter Finkle, 2023)
Old neighborhood tree in the Cub Circle pocket park
Old neighborhood tree in the Cub Circle pocket park. (photo by Peter Finkle, 2023)
Ivy "sculpture" in Cub Circle pocket park.
Ivy “sculpture” in Cub Circle pocket park. This is very unusual. (photo by Peter Finkle, 2023)

Cul de sac houses

House on Cub Circle
House on Cub Circle. (photo by Peter Finkle, 2023)
House on Cub Circle
House on Cub Circle. (photo by Peter Finkle, 2023)
Lovely yard on Berry Lane.
Lovely yard on Berry Lane. (photo by Peter Finkle, 2023)
Italian cypress trees provide a grand entrance to this house on Berry Lane.
Italian cypress trees provide a grand entrance to this house on Berry Lane. (photo by Peter Finkle, 2023)
Pocket park as seen from Berry Lane
One of the two pocket parks, as seen from Berry Lane. (photo by Peter Finkle, 2023)

Many pastel-colored houses

For some reason, the house colors in this neighborhood stood out to me. I don’t remember seeing so many pastel-colored houses grouped together anywhere else in town. 

Pale yellow house on Grizzly Drive.
Pale yellow house on Grizzly Drive. (photo by Peter Finkle, 2023)
Pale blue house on Grizzly Drive
Pale blue house on Grizzly Drive. (photo by Peter Finkle, 2023)

Artistic Animals on Grizzly and Berry

Fortunately, I did not see any live bears as I walked the street and the two cul de sacs. Though I did hear from Daniel that he spotted a brown bear digging in their back yard the previous year. The animals I saw were flamingos, cats, a butterfly and a heron. I will let the photos speak for themselves.

"Flamingo Crossing" on Grizzly Drive.
“Flamingo Crossing” on Grizzly Drive. (photo by Peter Finkle, 2023)
Cats on Grizzly Drive.
Cute cats on Grizzly Drive. (photo by Peter Finkle, 2023)
Butterfly and heron sighting.
Butterfly and heron sighting. (photo by Peter Finkle, 2023)

Yard art adds interest to our walks

Balanced artistic scene, subtle inspiration
Balanced artistic scene, subtle inspiration. (photo by Peter Finkle, 2023)
Yard art and flowers on Berry Lane.
Yard art and flowers on Berry Lane. (photo by Peter Finkle, 2023)
Quan yin statue on Grizzly Drive.
Quan yin garden statue on Grizzly Drive. (photo by Peter Finkle, 2023)
Soothing front yard seating spot
Soothing front yard seating spot. (photo by Peter Finkle, 2023)
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