06/02/2026
A statement from our very own Shenandoah Stites about the newest addition to the Blue Whale Park:
I am in awe of the beautiful Blue Whale Park and Visitors Center! As the health of our City’s parks is very important, let me share the great things that l noticed yesterday.
First the large windows of the Visitors Center have the story of the Davis’s and how the Blue Whale came about. It is opaque on the outside but once you are inside the building you can see the Blue Whale and the pond. This window treatment will greatly reduce bird strikes against the glass.
The two mature trees that are along a beautiful walkway near the front of the pond are healthy. Our City chose wisely in their selection of tree removal along the front section of the pond. Choosing to remove trees is never an easy decision but it was done thoughtfully.
I noticed that the large boulders along the walkway were not cemented in. (Hurray!) Instead they are stacked in a way to allow nature to move in. (Think little lizards who will certainly eat their share of mosquitoes)
The new trees that have been planted had the mulch added correctly. Not piled high around the base of the trees. Putting a mountain of mulch around a sapling only serves to cause the roots to girdle around the tree and it will kill it. Speaking of trees, it looks like many of the mature trees have been tended to by removing under growth. That certainly means they have a better chance of thriving.
Even the kind of and placement of the trash cans was done in a way to reduce unwanted trash from being thrown away near the water. Nothing is more frustrating than seeing parks with trash cans near a water’s edge, ugh!
Our City of Catoosa - Municipality didn’t just build a building, they thoughtfully chose good conservation practices for the area.
I know more great things are coming for the Blue Whale Park! Little things make a difference. May we all learn ways to be good stewards of our planet and our community!
