curranhouse

An apple tree!

Yes, it’s true; the Brain Energy Support Team (BEST) is the proud new “adoptive” family of an apple tree at the unique and historic Curran Apple Orchard Park in University Place, Washington.

This local, 7.33 acre park is home to over 200 apple trees. Once a “hobby orchard” grown by a private owner in the 1950’s, through the work of dedicated community leaders, the land became a public park just over 20 years ago.

This park is the only one of its kind in the entire nation.

So, what about the BEST tree, you ask?

Each year, an apple tree can be “adopted” by the general public for the growing season. Adopters have the option of providing full care for the tree (pruning, insect management and more) or can have volunteers manage tree care on their behalf.

The best (and most delicious) part? At harvest time when the apples are ripe, adopters can pick, keep and enjoy the apples.

Even better: the park also features wide open spaces (perfect for a picnic or a stroll), park benches and a play area. In the warmer months, free public music concerts happen on the park’s stage onsite and as well as other special community events.

And speaking of events, the most popular special event is the Curran Apple Orchard Cider Squeeze held in late August or early September. Locals gather together to press apples into cider and enjoy apple treats galore! The Squeeze has been a park tradition for over two decades and fun for the whole family.

So, not only will BEST have a tree at the park in 2015, they will also be able to enjoy the parks many wonderful benefits.

However, if you ask BESTies what they are really looking forward to with their adoptive tree, the feelings are unanimous.

BESTies are looking forward to working together to take care of their tree, learn about horticulture, enjoy nature and the great outdoors and actively engage in a fun and interesting activity, right here in their very own community.

Of course, everyone is THRILLED to eat the apples when the time comes, too!

Would you like to visit our special tree?

The Curran Apple Orchard is located at 3920 Grandview Drive West in University Place. Our tree is in row #1, tree #3 and has a placard with our organization’s name on it; additionally, our tree will produce Gravenstein apples in the late summer to early fall.

At this time, the tree is still in winter mode and doesn’t have leaves. The picture above (courtesy of the Curran Apple Orchard website) is an example of what are tree will look like when it begins to flower. Pretty, yes?

SAVE the Date! BEST will be gathering at the park on in the orchard’s stage area on Friday, May 1, 2015 at 12:00 p.m. for a brown bag lunch and discussion event. Special guest, Debbie Klosowski, former longtime University Place mayor, city council member and one of the park’s original founders, will be on hand to lead a special discussion of the park’s history and features. She is also involved in UP for Arts, an innovative arts organization that brings the magic of music and art to University Place, and will provide more information on upcoming events offered through that organization as well.

It promises to be a fun and interesting spring event. Please mark your calendars and join us, won’t you? There is no charge to attend and no registration is required. All are welcome. Stay tuned for more details in the upcoming months.