The serene riverfront park remains very dear to Mike Kahler.

“I’ve been coming to this park for 25 years with my kids,” the Auburn man said while walking through the heart of Isaac Evans Park, which rests along the east bank of the swift-flowing Green River. “We would come down here for picnics. When the kids were little, we would come here to watch the salmon.

“I have many memories here.”

And he has plans.

Kahler wants to help restore a part of the linear park, specifically an area that hugs a 1,000-foot-long trail, runs along a wooded area and leads to a suspension bridge that connects to Dykstra Park on the west side of the river.

The idea comes as Kahler begins a new chapter in his life. He lost his job as manager of a small loan company when the economy soured. Looking to reinvent himself, Kahler returned to school to study natural resource management with an emphasis on water quality, wetlands restoration and outdoor recreation.

With help from the community, Kohler hopes to enhance the trail and its environmental surroundings, ultimately reintroducing it to the public as an interpretive and salmon viewing area. He is leading a movement to improve the area’s natural habitat with diverse vegetation and in-depth informational signage.

Kahler made it an emphasis, part of a class project through Green River Community College’s Department of Natural Resources.

“Rather than do a research project, I wanted to do something different … in water quality and wetlands restoration,” Kahler said. “I always thought (the park) would be a perfect area to do something like this.

“So when I decided to go back to school and finish my degree, I said, ‘You know what? I’m going to do it.’ “

The project, as Kahler expects, will unfold in slow phases and rely largely on volunteer labor, materials and other donations. He also is exploring possible revenue sources, notably the foundation at the college and any available grants.

Such a project is formidable but attainable, according to Rob Sjogren, Kahler’s natural resources instructor at the college.

“It requires front-end work, and Mike is pretty good at that,” Sjogren said. “Mike’s pretty organized and has a good vision. … It’s actually a pretty do-able project.”

Kahler approached city parks officials about the project, and they have embraced the concept.

“It’s a great idea,” said Mike Miller, City of Auburn Parks maintenance manager. “The more we can get the community involved (the better).

“When they take ownership of it, they keep an eye on it and help maintain it, which is always good.”

As city and county parks departments face financial challenges, more community groups are taking “ownership” of parks and open spaces, Kahler said.

“It’s become a trend … especially in this economy. There is no money,” he said. “A lot of parks are failing around this county … they just don’t have the money to maintain them.”

Volunteers – whether they be individuals or groups – have played an important role in helping Auburn parks personnel complete various projects.

Volunteers are being sought again to begin the first phase of the Isaac Evans Park project – removal of invasive vegetation.

Once ivy, blackberry bushes and other unwanted growth are removed this winter, plans are to introduce a mixture of native trees, shrubs and flowers, Kahler said. The native vegetation will help provide a valuable food source for birds and animals, enhance the habitat and reduce sediment to the river.

“Right now, this is a very healthy park, but it has no diversity of vegetation,” Kahler said.

City park officials also will examine and determine if ailing and weakened cottonwood trees need to removed.

“The City, at some point, wants to take these out, but that’s expensive,” Kahler added.

Ultimately, Kahler foresees an area replete with a kiosk and informational signs explaining the area, its habitat, history and significance.

He understands such a project will take considerable time but is willing to get started.

“It’s a project dear to me,” Kahler said.

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Want to help?

Contact the Auburn Parks, Arts and Recreation Department during regular business hours at 253- 931-3043. Reach Mike Kahler at mikekahler@yourgreenriver.org.