New park brings history alive at Jacks Valley Elementary

Eight-year-old Amy Kohler stood near the crude gravestone of Jedediah Smith. She knelt beside the mounded dirt and recalled the story of how a bear had ripped off the mountain man's ear, and his friend had sewed it back on, upside down.

"He grew his hair long to cover it up," said the astute third grader.

It wasn't Smith's real grave site, but one of many features of Jacks Valley Elementary School's 1-acre Bruce Peterson Park. Besides a Nevada History Walk with its 16 educational kiosks, the park houses a women's history display, science exhibits, a natural habitat area and an outdoor classroom.

"The park was named after Bruce Peterson, a night custodian who was very loved by the staff and passed away four years ago," said third grade teacher Kathleen Barton.

On May 7, both Barton and Maggie Kersten's students were making a loop along the Nevada History Walk, visiting replicas of Native American structures, abandoned cowboy camps, mine shafts, a creek in which to pan for gold, and the faux grave sites of some of Nevada's most memorable frontiersmen, Jedediah Smith, Charles Fremont and Kit Carson.

"This park engages students and brings a higher level of thinking," said Barton.

Barton began the project three years ago. The district-owned site borders the north edge of the school's soccer field.

Barton said an overwhelming number of volunteers and donors helped in the park's construction.

She thanked Dan Evans of Evans Homes, The Home Depot, GE Energy, the Parent- Teacher-Student Organization, Big George and Bing Materials.

"Our grand opening is June 2," Barton said. "We're going to open to all Douglas County schools in August. This will be a good place for field trips."

Amy walked to another exhibit and read a plaque about gold mining. Behind her was the wooden mouth of a mine shaft, without the actual shaft.

"I love learning about history," she said.

Amy said she was looking forward to panning for gold. Barton said the artificial creek would be up and running soon.

"There will be a little pool where kids can kneel down and prospect for gold," she said.

Barton pulled the rope of an old-fashioned school bell, fastened atop a 10-foot tower, and kids came running to the outdoor classroom, a three-walled structure with tables, chairs and a blackboard.

"The park helps me understand how Nevada became what it is today," said 10-year-old Michael Pilant.

"It feels like you are in history," said 9-year-old Morgan Ferreira.