Artist unveils Osprey Park interpretive signage

With its bright colors and historical reverence, Sultan's new Osprey Park interpretive signage merges artistic expression with outdoor recreation, while simultaneously giving local entrepreneurs the opportunity to shine.

Painted by local artist Jacquie Miner, the brightly colored interpretive signs have been installed at both Osprey Park trailheads; one near the basketball courts and another at the northern trailhead, next to the soccer fields. The watercolor map of Osprey Park features the Sultan River and the Osprey Park trail system, while highlighting park activities, native plants and the area's wildlife.

The Sultan River part of the map includes a nod to outdoor recreational activities like river rafting and fishing, while highlighting wildlife like Canadian geese and salmon. The Winter's Creek wetlands area includes Mallard ducks, cattails and a beaver, all portrayed in a colorful, comprehensive manner that portrays the park's various features.

Miner, a Gold Bar resident, has been painting with watercolors for more than 10 years. She is a GROW Washington entrepreneur, with paintings on display at GROW Washington stores in Sultan, Snohomish and Everett. She transforms her original artwork into affordable greeting cards, preferring that her work be accessible to anyone who wants to enjoy it.

Several of her paintings were featured in the Viggo Mortensen movie "Captain Fantastic,GÇ¥ which was filmed in Sultan, Gold Bar and Index last summer.

Sultan Grants and Economic Development Coordinator Donna Murphy approached Miner early this summer about the Osprey Park sign project, asking if she would be interested in collaborating with a local committee. To prepare for the meeting, Miner drew up some samples, so the committee members could get a sense of her artistic vision.

"I worked on some quick pencil sketches to take with me, so they could see what my style of work was. I have always loved nature,GÇ¥ Miner said.

The committee was pleased with Miner's sketches, so they began planning the final product. The committee wanted the map to be based on the true layout of Osprey Park and incorporate all the things that a person might see while on a walk through the park.

To prepare for the project, Miner toured the park on an all-terrain vehicle, taking in all the sights and sounds to better incorporate the park's intricacies into her artwork. -á -á

"It was a wonderful field trip. There were geese and goslings on the river,GÇ¥ Miner said. "I grew up in Skagit County along the Skagit River and it brought back many good memories.GÇ¥

Miner painted each detail in vivid watercolors, including wild yellow iris, ferns, a pileated woodpecker, a Steller's jay, foxgloves and daisies. She included the various sections of the park, including the new footbridges, the upcoming off-leash dog park area, the ballfields and the playground.-á

Miner said that by the time she finished, there were a total of 45 different tidbits she painted and incorporated into the map. The interactive map also features a coded system that interfaces with granite pavers that will be installed along the trails. The pavers are being created by D & J Industries Repurposed Stone, and will include information about the area with a corresponding graphic design etched into the granite.

Both Miner and D & J Industries Repurposed Stone are GROW Washington vendors.

Once the painting was complete, Sultan sign manufacturer Steve Boek transformed the image into a displayable map by taking a high-resolution digital image of the original artwork and transferring it onto a heavy-duty vinyl material.

The map honors those in the Sultan community who left their mark on Osprey Park, including Bob Knuckey and Susie Hollenbeck, both of whom impacted the area significantly. Knuckey, who passed away in December 2013, was known for his tireless advocacy and volunteerism, including founding Sultan's Adopt-a-Street program and the community-wide City Wide Pride annual cleanup event.

Knuckey worked with the Snohomish County Public Utility District (PUD) during its Osprey Park trail enhancement project, using his tractor to help spread gravel and clear trails. As he worked, he always picked up any garbage he found.

Hollenbeck was another long-time volunteer who was passionate about keeping Sultan free from litter. Known for her feisty spunk, Hollenbeck was repeatedly recognized for giving back to the city through advocacy and volunteerism. During an interview after Knuckey's death, she credited him for his community activism, and saying she owed a lot for his efforts.

The two were joined by their passion for the community. Even after she was diagnosed with cancer in late 2013, Hollenbeck could be found raking leaves near Main Street or picking up litter in local parks.

She spent countless hours clearing trash from the trails in Osprey Park, and was instrumental in the city's successful bid for a Snohomish County Conservation Futures grant to purchase the property necessary to facilitate a new trail connecting Osprey and River parks.

The new trail was formally named "Susie's TrailGÇ¥ during a Sultan City Council meeting in May, and Hollenbeck was honored for her long-term efforts to enhance Sultan's park system. She passed away on Sept. 24, after a long battle with cancer.

Both the Bob Knuckey Trail and Susie's Trail are identified on the new map; an important reminder of those in the community who had a positive impact on the park.

From start to finish, Miner estimated the sign project took about four months.-á

"Each of the committee members worked together and supported each other. As each part of the project was completed, it was crossed off the list,GÇ¥ Miner said. "We didn't get bogged down and quit. We got to know each other and it was an awesome opportunity to be a part of this project.GÇ¥