Sierra Mountain Times

Just beyond the sign at Mary Laveroni Community Park is the outdoor stage and spacious seating area surrounded by towering trees. Photo by Jerome Peterson.

By Jerome Peterson

Spending a sunny autumn afternoon in a public park can boost the morale…so how about visiting Groveland’s Mary Laveroni Community Park this time around for your park of choice. This historical area offers more than “just” a park. There are many outstanding features at Mary Laveroni Community Park that make it unique. One distinctive characteristic is the trees. There must be at least fifty of these towering wonders varying from tall pines, cone shaped firs, to crooked twisted oaks. Consequently, there is the possibility being surrounded by this wood crowd that an aware visitor would feel like the minority; nevertheless, there is also the good fortune one would hear the wizen growths greet you with a swing low greeting; “Hulloooo there. Welcome to my home.”

A few of the oaks branch off into three trunks from a submerged torso as if they were fingers resurrecting from the earth, longing for something enduring. The huge fir trees are shaped like conventional Christmas trees pointing to the sky as if they are telling us there is something “higher up” than us. Many of these fir trees have trunks wider than my arm span, which happens to be 70 inches. I know this for a fact because I hugged one massive trunk and could not reach its width with my fingertips. I got out the ole tape measure and measured. The tape told me the waist of the gigantic trunk was 162 inches, which is twelve and a half feet! These particular trees were no more than a few paces away from the parking lot. They also had electric outlet boxes close to them. The boxes were to plug in Christmas lights. What a treat it would be to see these beauties lit up with multi-colored bulbs.

A view of the park. Photo by Thomas Atkins.

The community park has an upper and lower level that is filled with man-made features. The upper level has several picnic tables, BBQ grills, drinking and faucet water, full service restrooms, jungle gym type playground equipment, and two honorable memorials. The terrain is sloped; yet it has been landscaped in a manner making the picnic area easy to walk to and comfortable to relax in. Beyond the restrooms is Groveland’s museum and library. These two facilities happen to be in the same building and are a very short walk from the park. With these services being so close to each other it makes convenient sense to visit all three. HA! Why not?

The lower level of the park has outstanding features as well. Marjorie Ward, a volunteer at the Groveland Museum explains that the lower level was developed in 2004 and spearheaded by Pete Barsotti. His dream was to bring live outdoor music to Groveland; hence the stage and grand lounging area. A beautiful memorial rests at the stairs that leads to the lower level. The memorial reads:

Bettike Barsotti. Memorial Fund 2004. Established with the Sonora Area Foundation for the purpose of making improvements to Lower Mary Laveroni Community Park. In the true spirit of a caring and giving community the renovation of the Park is dedicated to the Loving Memory of Bettike Barsotti.

Listed below this dedication were major donors and hundreds of organizations and people; much too lengthy to include in this article. However, let it be duly noted.

Now back to the lower level and its enduring characteristics. The first feature that catches the wandering eye is the obvious spacious stretch of grassy territory. This appealing space separates a scaffold stage and bleachers that provide plenty of room for the entertainer and the entertained. Concerts as well as summer Saturday night movies and of course other community events, needing a positive outdoor vibe, are held there. A short walking distance from this spot is a smaller more conventional stage. Near the stage, is an open site protected with shade cloth looking like a mini-fairground complete with cooking facilitates, which happen to put on such events as the 49er chili cook off.

In addition to the features of the lower level, Mary Laveroni Community Park has a horseshoe pit and a skateboard park, which involves an elaborate variety of ramps, jumps, and challenging obstacles. Close to the skateboard park is a full basketball court. In particular, my favorite of the lower level is a lonely wooden bridge that exists in a far corner of the park.
This simple yet sturdy looking structure spans a dry creek allowing explorers to pass with ease. On the other side of the small bridge is a path that curiously leads off into the woods of Groveland.

During the mid-sixties is when the park initially began to take shape. Up until about 2004 this recreational playground was known as Wayside Park. Now, however, the commons is honored by the name of Mary Laveroni. Her name was chosen because she was a great inspiration and a constant positive contributor to the Groveland community throughout the years.

According to Marjorie Ward, a volunteer at Groveland’s Museum, Mary Laveroni and a good friend, Dorothy Conwell, brought drinking water and a sewer system to a community that at the time was basically using well water for drinking and a creek for the sewer. Evidently this was the beginning of the Groveland Community Services District; otherwise known as GCSD, who also happens to beautifully maintain the park. A memorial plaque that rests below the entrance sign of the park gives honor where honor is due. The memorial reads:

This monument is dedicated to the three founding members of the Groveland Community Services District. Mary Laveroni, Joe Brunette, Birger Williamson. The following individuals were instrumental in the formative years of the district. Secetary/Mgn.: Lena Cassaretto; Pioneer Merchant: Frank Cassaretto; County Supervisor: Millard C. Merrell; GCSD Attorney: Hartley Bush.

Do yourself a favor and take the time to check out Groveland’s Community Park. To get there take highway 108 to 49 east and head south toward Chinese Camp. Amble on to the fork in the road and continue east on highway 120. You will pass through Big Oak Flats then downtown Groveland. The park will eventually appear to your right stretching its roots between the fire station and the museum/library. It’s a 30-minute drive and close to 30 miles from downtown Sonora, but it’s worth the trip. It is worth the drive because the looming, plush hills of Big Oak Flat are speaking volumes this time of year and you shouldn’t miss what they have to say. Furthermore, public parks are such a beneficial way to de-stress and connect with the local communities past, present, and future so please don’t take them for granted. Go ahead and pack a picnic lunch and whatever helps you unwind and wander the grounds; exploring what Groveland’s Mary Laveroni Community Park has to offer. You might be surprised at what you will find.