Malin Swimming Pool Renovation

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It’s official! After what feels like forever, summer is here and with it, the opening of the Malin Pool. Do not be surprised however, if upon attending, you notice some much needed renovations; which are some of the first renovations of the pool since it’s opening in 1948.

Thanks to a $350,000 grant from the Oregon Park and Recreation Department, which covered about half of the total cost of the project, the pool was able to open in time for the summer season.

“Malin pool is the epitome of the summertime nostalgia” Kendra Schroeder, Malin Pool Manager, shared as she expressed the feeling she gets going into her eighth season. What once was a 35 yard pool now houses a nice wading pool for young swimmers as well as a 25 yard standard lap pool.

In order to accomplish the project, it required an entire removal of the old recirculating piping. Creating the wading pool required usage of the old pool deck space, while the previous filtration system was also replaced with all new equipment. The entire project was wrapped up with a new concrete surface surrounding the pool.

An open pool is the goal, however due to COVID-19, there will be some restrictions that have come with it. Malin Pool has made sure that their staff will adhere to Oregon Health Authority guidelines including: all employees wearing masks while on shift, a maximum capacity of 50 swimmers, and COVID tracing. Swimming lessons have also been cancelled; however, there has been an increase in swim camps throughout the summer to teach water safety to kids.

Expect to get your water wings wet daily from 1-5pm and again during the evening swim from 6:30-8pm each night except Sunday. You can also sign up for adult lap swim or even host a private party .

Jaselyn Story, a returning lifeguard, shared that her and her fellow lifeguards came back again this year because she enjoys watching the kids grow up over the years and loves to see who they are becoming. She asks that those who do make their way to the pool this year, come in with a good mindset and always respect the lifeguards.

Though many things have changed in our world and community, the staff of Malin pool stands by their promise to provide fun and safe entertainment for your family throughout the summer.

Broadway Park

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The City of Malin has had many improvements around town over the last few years. We have added Christmas lights for the Malin park and better electrical throughout the park, we have added a Veterans Park in the heart of Malin, and even updated our city pool. However the most recent project is the addition of our very own Broadway Park located on the south entrance to Malin.

Patrick Hagerty and the Youth For Christ (YFC) team here in Malin have been working on a park to help provide a welcoming environment as you enter Malin from the south side. This park is anticipated to be finished by the end of September and be home of the latest Malin Mural, painted by Chris Young, showcasing our historic Broadway Theater. This Mural was proudly created by Marilyn Hagerty, Patrick Hagerty, and David DeFillipo in an effort to enhance the Broadway Park.  Youth For Christ has taken on many projects through the years to help enhance and restore buildings and areas in the Basin in order to use our facilities to the best of their abilities.

Broadway Park has a focus on improving an unused area of town, as the perfect place to sit and be rejuvenated. Much like the more recent Veterans Park that was installed between Malin Country Diner and the Malin Farmers Market, The Broadway Park will have a mural that depicts our Broadway Theater and even some patio-like features. However the Broadway Park will contrast the Veterans Park when it comes to the grassy landscape that is the aim. The design of the park will feature grass that will be watered by drip irrigation and will showcase a waterfall feature. “As people come into town from the south we hope that they would see the water and be able to stop for a place to reflect” Hagerty shared while describing what they hope this park will bring to our town of Malin. Other things you can watch for in this park will be a nice picnic area and place to play games like grass volleyball. During the Christmas season YFC hopes to partner with the City of Malin as they light up the city park, Broadway would also be lit up to complement the rest of town.

Just as all things YFC has done in this community and others we anticipate this park to be an incredible addition to the City of Malin. Make sure to keep an eye on this spot throughout the summer. Come this fall you will have the opportunity to enjoy it to its fullest.

Connecting Borders Barn Quilt Trail

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Rural Klamath Connects Regional Barn Quilt Trail Project

On May 28th the first in a series of Barn Quilt Blocks was erected in Tulelake,
California at the Tulelake Cold Storage Building owned by Reba and Dennis
VanAcker. Barn quilt blocks are specially designed, hand painted, 8×8-foot
wooden art works that adorn historical barns and buildings.

Rural Klamath Connects, a non-profit group from three Oregon towns, Merrill,
Malin, and Bonanza and two California towns, Tulelake and Dorris—with grant
funding help from The Ford Family Foundation, Travel Oregon, Siskiyou Arts
Council and the Oregon Community Foundation—have collaborated to bring
together area residents, their historic barns and buildings, and their artistic talent
to develop a barn quilt trail connecting the five towns.

The Connecting Border Barn Quilt Trail project, to be completed over three years,
will design and produce a series of 50, eight foot Quilt Blocks that will portray the
culture, history and landscape of these five rural communities in the Southern
Klamath Basin.

Phase 1 of this project will result in a total of ten Barn Quilt Blocks, two per
community. Phase 2 will see an additional 15 blocks, three per community along
with a brochure which will include a trail map. Information will also be integrated
into local, county and state tourism websites. The final goal is for 50 plus Barn
Quilt Blocks.

The commitment of this team is to contribute to the preservation of the region's
rich history and to educate residents and visitors about culture, agriculture,
landscape and natural resources along with the amazing history this region has to
offer.

If you have questions and would like to speak to someone knowledgeable about
this project drop in to Tater Patch Quilts, 109 E Front Street, Merrill, OR, 97633
during regular business hours.

Merrill Downtown Hanging Baskets

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Hanging baskets have recently been installed along Front Street in downtown Merrill.  The Project Merrill Team partnered with Farm Country Nursery to grow 20 hanging baskets for the downtown business corridor.  The Merrill Public Works Department installed metal brackets on downtown buildings for hanging the baskets.  The project was completely funded through local donations from business owners, community members, the City of Merrill, and the Merrill Lion’s Club.  Come take a walk along Front Street and enjoy the beautiful baskets.  Thank you to the Project Merrill Team, the City of Merrill, Farm Country Nursery, and to the many community members and organizations who donated to this project.

Merrill Wildlife Viewing Area Receives Grants

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The City of Merrill was recently awarded a $16,000 Klamath County Tourism Grant and a $2,500 Jordan Cove-Pacific Connector Grant for construction of a new wildlife viewing area on Front Street in downtown Merrill along Lost River.  Construction will begin this summer.

The new area will provide wildlife viewing opportunities for community members and visitors on Lost River.  It will feature benches, picnic tables, information on area wildlife, along with information on wildlife viewing opportunities in the region.  There will also be information about Carl Barks, famous Disney artist who grew up in Merrill.  Congratulations to the City of Merrill and the Project Merrill Team!