I've grown up in the area. Most of my life has been spent here. I have an absolute love, respect, & admiration for upper park beyond words. I've learned here, I've taught here, I've been amazed by nature here, I've also been hurt, mad, sad, disappointed, blessed, lucky, unlucky, impatient, in no hurry at all, poisioned by flora but never bitten by the fauna, and seen thing like I've never seen before nor will I after. Here, in Upper Park, is the only place to see most of. I began coming here s a young man to learn, to explore and experience things like good swimming hole on a hot day, a beautiful fish at the end of your fishing rod, and still do as an adult. I will continue to grow alongside friends and family, to eat for the energy to live, not for the fuel needed to eat even more, I've swam and fished in the creek, traverse the hills, climed cliffs, scaled mountains and explored inside caves, I've witness the rhythmic ebb and flow of the seasons and thier colors & temperatures, from open grasslands up the canyonlands into the highlands, and every possible variation in between, there is abundant year round local wlidlife coming & going, eating and drinking, doing whatever they want, whenever they want, however they would like. As they've done for tens of thousands years, the animals and fish migrating through to far away places & back when the season and conditions are just right, I've been, I've seen, I've lived and experienced life here. This special place heals our bodies, strengthens our minds, and replenishes our spirits. This is where we were meant to exist. It's more than a city park. For me, it's magical, Upper Park has a very special uniqueness and comfort. For me it's always been more than just a park.