‘Exploding Whale’ Park Memorializes Blubber Blast 50 Years Later. Fifty years ago, a whale carcass washed ashore near Florence, Ore., and the authorities wrestled with how to get rid of it. Visit our corporate site. "Exploding Whale Memorial Park" in Florence, Oregon, is named for the explosive event of Nov. 12, 1970, when local officials blew up a beached and decomposing sperm whale measuring 45 feet (14 meters) long and weighing about 8 tons (7 metric tons). "Exploding Whale Memorial Park" in Florence, Oregon, is named for the explosive event of Nov. 12, 1970, when local officials blew up a beached and decomposing sperm whale … Jun 17, 2020. But "Exploding Whale Memorial Park" won in a landslide, with 439 votes of the 856 submitted, according to the statement. A widely reported case of an exploding whale occurred in Florence, Oregon, in November 1970, when the Oregon Highway Division blew up a decaying sperm whale with dynamite in an attempt to dispose of its rotting carcass. The event has been local lore for years so this year, in honor of the 50th anniversary of the event, the city named a park “Exploding Whale Memorial Park.” You can see the news report on You Tube by looking for “exploding whale Oregon.” -0-Here’s a joke a high school buddy sent me: The city planned to unveil the name at its annual Rhody Days celebration – with this year’s theme of Blast from the Past – but the coronavirus closures “blew those plans out of the water.” The new park is … Exploding Whale Memorial Park, Florence, Oregon. The blast is a point of contention for some residents, Ms. Messmer said, as the city is often blamed for the decision to blow up the carcass; the state highway division was responsible. The community also created a mascot for the exploding whale's 50th anniversary: an adorable, totally intact whale named Flo. More than half of the final tally — 439 out of 856 responses — voted for “Exploding Whale Memorial Park,” Ms. Messmer said. (Image credit: Courtesy of the City of Florence), Mysterious black spot in polar explorer's diary offers gruesome clue to his fate, Black holes may not exist, but fuzzballs might, wild theory suggests, These photos of the Arecibo Observatory telescope collapse are just heartbreaking, Biblical Goliath may not have been a giant, Chinese submarine reaches the deepest place on Earth, Mystery Settlers Reached 'Step to Americas' Before Vikings, Scientists just mapped 1 million new galaxies, in 300 hours. The story is legendary. Fast-forward to last Saturday, when a dedication ceremony christened Florence’s new Exploding Whale Memorial Park, a grassy good-time getaway along the Siuslaw River. The explosion threw whale flesh over 80 The story is legendary. Exploding Whale Memorial Park is now open to the public. In a poll to determine the new park’s name, “Exploding Whale Memorial Park” garnered 439 out of 856 votes. Florence has a new park and it’s named after one of Oregon’s greatest triumphs -- welcome to Exploding Whale Memorial Park. Last year, Florence residents voted from among nine options to name a new park on the Siuslaw River as Exploding Whale Memorial Park. Current policy in the state of Oregon dictates that beached, dead whales must be buried and not blown up, according to the OHS. As it turns out, it’s being called as “Exploding Whale Memorial Park.” I was curious if you’d been out there or not. Next to the park's new sign is "Flo the Whale," a mascot that a local community member created in anticipation of the 50th anniversary of the exploding whale event. That is the name of the new park that opened in Florence, Oregon, this week, the city’s website says. In 2020, residents of Florence voted to name a new recreational area "Exploding Whale Memorial Park" in honor of the incident. The peculiar name commemorates a historic event. The name was chosen after city officials asked the public for suggestions. What do you do with the carcass of a 45-foot, 8-ton whale on the beach? The naming of the park in Oregon, however, is not an internet-fueled fluke: Ms. Messmer said most residents are excited about the park’s name. “Exploding Whale Memorial Park” in Florence opened this week in honor of the 8-ton behemoth that was blasted to smithereens after state officials … Nov. 12, 1970 is an auspicious day in Oregon history. Live Science is part of Future US Inc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. 4. The name was selected by the citizens of the town and the city government says that out of the 124 suggestions, Exploding Whale Memorial Park was the winner, blowing out the competition from other, more traditional names, like ‘Dune View Park’ or ‘Siuslaw River View Park.’ In June, it was commemorated with the opening of the Exploding Whale Memorial Park. More than half of the final tally — 439 out of 856 responses — voted for “Exploding Whale Memorial Park,” Ms. Messmer said. Exploding Whale Memorial Park is nestled on the banks of the Siuslaw River, and has a nice walking path and put-in access for canoes and kayaks. The whale recently made headlines again when an English municipality took to Twitter to relate the COVID-19 pandemic to lessons learned from the exploding whale. “The blast blasted blubber beyond all believable bounds,” Paul Linnman, a journalist for the television station KATU, reported at the time. “It’s a cute whale.”. The council used the exploding whale analogy to tell people to listen to the experts. © This time the explosion resulted from the buildup of gas inside a decomposing sperm whale, which caused it to burst. The park is the latest example of what the public can come up with when invited to choose the name for sites or vessels. Exploding Whale Memorial Park, in Florence, Oregon. Stay up to date on the coronavirus outbreak by signing up to our newsletter today. It was too big to drag away or bury, and officials decided to get rid of the stinking corpse with dynamite, blasting it into manageable, bite-size chunks that scavenging birds and crabs would then clean up, according to the Oregon Historical Society (OHS). In 2018, a community of 5,000 in Estonia received 12,000 votes online to make a cannabis leaf the symbol on its flag. Though the … A beauty spot in Oregon has been named 'Exploding Whale Memorial Park' after the infamous exploding whale incident of 1970, nearly 50 years ago. Almost 50 years ago, the Oregon Highway Division (now the Oregon DOT) blew up a dead sperm whale after it washed ashore. What was this incident? Actual explosives have also been used to assist in disposing of whale carcasses, ordinarily after towing the carcass out to sea. Other ideas were “Bridge View Park” and “Siuslaw River View Park” for nearby landmarks. After the park opened last May with a temporary name, the city asked residents for suggestions for a permanent title, later narrowing those to a few in an online survey. One particularly hefty slab landed on an unoccupied parked car about a quarter-mile (0.4 kilometers) from the blast site, crushing the roof. 4. Other ideas were “Bridge View Park” and “Siuslaw River View Park” for nearby landmarks. Rather than put the escapade behind them, Florence residents voted to dedicate a park after the 1970 blast, choosing “Exploding Whale Memorial Park” as the name for the recreational area in the city, which is about 130 miles southwest of Portland. The park is located along the Siuslaw River on Rhododendron Drive. A sign bearing the park’s new name was installed on June 13, with a rendering of a whale spouting water in the shape of a heart. A newly-named Oregon park commemorates an important (and gory) piece of local history: the dynamiting of a dead whale that took place 50 years ago. In 1970, a deceased 45 foot, eight ton whale washed ashore near Florence. NY 10036. The ensuing disaster became a tale to be told for generations. November would have marked the 50th anniversary of the whale's big bang, and the town, on the southern Oregon coast, planned to announce the park's new name in May at the 113th annual Florence Rhododendron Festival, which had a special theme this year: "Blast from the Past.". As it turns out, it’s being called as “Exploding Whale Memorial Park.” I was curious if you’d been out there or not. City of Florence/Facebook The infamous sperm whale was already dead when it … And while guidelines and perspectives have certainly changed over the years, Linnman remembers that day as if it were yesterday. The name was selected by a poll of citizens, and commemorates the infamous 1970 incident in which Oregon authorities decided to get rid of the rotting carcass of a huge beached whale by blowing it up with a half-ton of dynamite. “It’s not gory,” Ms. Messmer said. Exploding Whale Memorial Park opens near site where that beached whale was blown up in 1970 . In a poll to determine the new park’s name, “Exploding Whale Memorial Park” garnered 439 out of 856 votes. The whale recently made headlines again when an English municipality took to Twitter to relate the COVID-19 pandemic to lessons learned from the exploding whale. (Facebook) A town in Oregon renamed one of its parks after a rotting beached whale carcass town officials exploded 50 years prior. (Image: © Courtesy of the City of Florence). The residents of the town have voted for the park to be renamed after the incident in order to honour the whale that was washed ashore in 1970. The residents have recently chosen to name a local recreational area “Exploding Whale Memorial Park.” On November 9, 1970, a 45-foot long, 8-ton whale, described variously as a gray or sperm whale, washed ashore at Florence on the central Oregon Coast. Welcome to Exploding Whale Memorial Park! In 2016, a British research agency’s call for help naming a ship was answered with “Boaty McBoatface.” The ship was instead named for the naturalist David Attenborough, though a British submarine was given the whimsical name in an effort to appease disappointed internet users. FLORENCE, Ore. – Welcome to the newest park on the Oregon coast – Exploding Whale Memorial Park! For a limited time, you can take out a digital subscription to any of our best-selling science magazines for just $2.38 per month, or 45% off the standard price for the first three months.View Deal. Please deactivate your ad blocker in order to see our subscription offer. Having A Blast in Oregon’s “Exploding Whale Memorial Park” In November of 1970, a sperm whale washed up on the beach near Florence, Oregon. The park … Please refresh the page and try again. Exploding Whale Memorial Park. Florence residents overwhelmingly voted to name this idyllic spot after an exploded whale. The park has a shelter with picnic tables, as well as an open grassy area. In 1970, the dead, decaying sperm whale that washed up near Florence posed a serious health hazard. The council used the exploding whale analogy to tell people to listen to the experts. On June 13, the City of Florence hosted a low-key dedication ceremony to unveil the new sign for "Exploding Whale Memorial Park" situated on the sandy shores of the Siuslaw River. The name was selected by the citizens of the town and the city government says that out of the 124 suggestions, Exploding Whale Memorial Park was the winner, blowing out the competition from other, more traditional names, like ‘Dune View Park’ or ‘Siuslaw River View Park.’ The park … There have been several cases of whale carcasses bursting due to a buildup of gas in the decomposition process. “If you talk to people, it’s not necessarily a proud moment,” said Megan Messmer, Florence’s city project manager. Named after the famed and infamous incident in 1970, the park is actually a somewhat new park with an even newer name. Last year, Florence residents voted from among nine options to name a new park on the Siuslaw River as Exploding Whale Memorial Park. And while guidelines and perspectives have certainly changed over the years, Linnman remembers that day as if it were yesterday. The Oregon Department of Transportation used 20 cases of dynamite to blow it up. According to LiveScience, Exploding Whale Memorial Park in Florence, Oregon, is named for an explosive event that took place Nov. 12, 1970, when … There was a problem. Now, a half-century later they have named a park after that lesson. The 1970 blast was a lesson learned for Oregon: There is now a policy to bury carcasses that can’t be removed easily, Ms. Messmer said. Nearly 50 years ago, a whale … A local resident dressed up as “Flo the Whale” to highlight the new name of the park in Florence, Ore. In June, it was commemorated with the opening of the Exploding Whale Memorial Park. Visitors also enjoy grassy areas, picnic shelters, and views of the dunes across the river. City of Florence/Facebook The infamous sperm whale was already dead when it … City of Florence workers install the sign for Exploding Whale Memorial Park … After the explosion, much of the whale's body was still in big chunks that were much too large for small scavengers to carry away, and the demolition crew ended up burying the carcass pieces on the beach, Linnman reported. Jo Beaudreau, the owner of an art supply store and the designer of the park’s sign, said the explosion is “still a little bit of a touchy subject” for residents, especially those who were involved in the blast. Residents of a coastal Oregon city voted to name a park for a 1970 explosion that rained chunks of rotting whale flesh on curious bystanders. OFFER: Save 45% on 'How It Works' 'All About Space' and 'All About History'! The park is the latest example of what the public can come up with when invited to choose the name for sites or vessels. https://boingboing.net/2020/07/02/exploding-whale-memorial-park.html New York, “I can still conjure it up 40 years later,” Linnman said in 2010. In fact, the event became the city’s claim to fame, and Florence in June christened a riverfront park “Exploding Whale Memorial Park” to mark the 50th anniversary. This riverfront park provides access to the Siuslaw River in Historic Old Town Florence. The infamous exploding whale story from KATU News, circa 1970. Continue Reading Show full articles without "Continue Reading" button for {0} hours. Today, the Exploded Whale Memorial Park's iconic sand dunes are a peaceful and gore-free sight. Nearly 50 years ago, a whale beached itself on … More than half of the final tally — 439 out of 856 responses — voted for “Exploding Whale Memorial Park,” Ms. Messmer said. Exploding Whale Memorial Park is now open to visitors, with various coronavirus restrictions in place. The rest of the park includes picnic tables, a grassy lawn and views of the Siuslaw River and Bridge, according to the City of Florence website. The mascot for Exploding Whale Memorial Park is shown in Florence, Ore., in June 2020. The name was chosen after city officials asked the public for … 18 June 2020, "The blast blasted blubber beyond all believable bounds.". Exploding Whale Memorial Park. Everyone nearby was drenched with dead whale, Linnman said. The park, as well as the 50th anniversary of the blast, was originally set to be celebrated at the city’s “Rhody Days” in May, but the Rhododendron Festival was canceled because of the coronavirus. "Pieces of meat passed high over our heads, while others were falling at our feet.". Head to Exploding Whale Memorial Park. So, state highway officials decided to use a half-ton of dynamite to blow up the 45-foot sperm whale, hoping its disintegrated matter would be whisked away by sea gulls. Tainan City, Taiwan. The park … What do you do with the carcass of a 45-foot, 8-ton whale on the beach? Mindy Weisberger - Senior Writer
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