NORTH BEND - Through the lens of a video camera he has witnessed the pomp and procedure of many a city council and school board meeting. But Channel 14 volunteer Don Van Dyke is about to step from behind the camera and onto the dais to serve with North Bend's Parks & Recreation Advisory Board.

Van Dyke, 65, who has been a resident of the city for less than two years, was appointed to the two-year position during the Feb. 13 City Council meeting. He had applied for a seat on the city's Library Board, but was turned down in favor of another volunteer. Not easily phased, Van Dyke told councilors he would serve at their pleasure.

“That's who I am,” Van Dyke said, listing his other community-based activities, including volunteer work with channels 14 and 98 and his theater group, the Western Academy of Theater and Television for Children and the Handicapped.

A retired doctor of naturopathic medicine, world traveler and long-time amateur thespian, Van Dyke said he brings a breadth of experience to the committee matched by few.

“My point is I've got all this experience and I want to pass some of it on. None of this makes me special, but somewhat unique,” said Van Dyke, who said he hopes to make the city's seven parks more friendly to children and the disabled. He will attend his first meeting with the board in March.

“The No.1 thing I'm interested in is utilization. I don't know what the issues are yet, but I believe in utilizing resources.”

He said he would like to give the community a larger role in the fate of the parks to instill them with a sense of connectivity and city pride. He said parks are an important aspect of city services, as they provide a place for families and citizens to gather and recreate.

“It would be important to the experience and well-being of the citizens,” Van Dyke said. “If I can help some people have a better experience while they live in North Bend, I think everyone (will be) better off for that.”

North Bend Mayor Rick Wetherell said while there isn't a set criteria for appointing an individual to the parks committee, he believes Van Dyke will make a positive addition to the 8-person advisory group. He said he is impressed by Van Dyke's resume, which includes an extensive education and participation in community theater. Both the mayor and Councilor William Richardson serve on the committee.

“He's a citizen who wants to be involved and help,” Wetherell said. “This one is wide open for people who want to get involved and make our parks better. We want anybody to serve on our committee who is interested.”

Gordon Young, the station manager for Channel 14, a television station run by Broadcast Services Inc., in Coos Bay, said he first met Van Dyke about three months ago after an article about the station was printed in The World. He said he had bemoaned the station's lack of employees and volunteers and Van Dyke was the first to step up. The volunteer runs video cameras at meetings covered by Channel 14.

“He said ‘I'm your man,' and showed up and he's been working with me since,” Young said. “If I were going to describe Don in a word, it would be eager. I suspect the parks committee over there will be happy to have him.”

While parks and recreation may soon become a new love for Van Dyke, he said he will always have a special place in his heart for theater, children and the disabled. The man lost a portion of his leg nearly three years ago after suffering from an infection, but he said his desire to reach out to people with disabilities has little to do with his own handicap.

“If you are in a wheelchair, people don't even want you to audition. (But in WATTCH) not only are you welcome, you are especially welcome,” Van Dyke said.

So far, several community members have benefited from the group, including amateur actress Stacy Dunn. A North Bend resident with a love of the theater, Dunn said people with disabilities like herself are often pigeonholed into roles that deal specifically with their handicaps. Not so with WATTCH.

“Don is of the mind-set that that doesn't have to be the case,” said Dunn, who serves as the secretary for WATTCH. She recently played Mrs. Cratchit in Van Dyke's production of “A Christmas Carol.” “I love it. It allows me to broaden my horizons and it allows me to grow. That's really important for anybody.”

Although she has known the man for less than a year, Dunn said she is inspired by Van Dyke and believes in his desire to both serve and entertain the community.

“He's a visionary. He can see exactly what he wants and he has the talent to draw the people to him that can help make his visions happen. He doesn't hear people when he is told it can't be done. That's one of the reasons I like working with his so much, because I have the same attitude,” Dunn said.

The city has another vacancy in its Parks Advisory Board. Those interested in applying can call City Hall at 756-8500 or visit the office of City Recorder Angie Kellar for an application.