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Diamonds in the Rough - part one |
 One of the greatest things about living in Cowichan is that there are so many hidden treasures that only the locals know about. I am talking about how only locals know where to drop our crab traps, or where to hunt, golf, or hitch a ride on the Cowichan. It is great how only we know where to paint ball, kayak, fish, and basically take advantage of all the recreation this beautiful Valley has to offer.
As the average motorist crawls up highway one scoffing at the amount of traffic and congestion that our one horse town creates, little do they know that as they travel through the heart of Cowichan there is a great big world of outdoor recreation happening all around them.
One such place is right smack dab in the middle of Glenora. Hidden amid a bluff of firs, spruce and cedars is Glenora field, affectionally known as Waldon Park. From the road it's simply an unmarked driveway that if your eyes wander to take in the beautifull Zanatta vineyard across the street, you will surely miss it. But when you do meander down the driveway it is quite breathtaking to happen upon the two diamonds chizelled out of the farmland many years ago, echoing with cheers and bustling with some pretty good ball. The fields are being used by the Cowichan Valley Mixed Softball League and available to youth baseball and softball as well as the residents of Glenora.
If you get a chance, wander over on a week night and take in some decent orthodox softball. The games start at 6:30 and if you enjoy ball at all there will definitely be something to hold your attention. Not only that, Gordie Closson's Old Timers Charity Tournament runs there every year pulling old school players off their couch and back into the park. It is always a very entertaining August tournament when some of the best ball players Duncan has ever produced start shakin' off the rust and blowing the dust off of the old mitt to play some serious fastball. That one is always fun and raises money for very worthy community causes. Another fun one is the All Chicks tourny at the end of Summer which brings out the best gals past and present on usually a super hot weekend.
Surrounded by trees and a chicken coupe just beyond right field, Waldon park conjures up a sense of community and pride and peacefulness. There is certainly something to be said about competing and socializing in a player built and run park. After playing there for over a decade and cutting the lawn and raking the fields so many times, I know it like my own yard. It makes me curious as to how it all began and who has played there over the years. Next week I will shed some light as to where the park came from and how these diamonds were built.
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