bicycling

Beginning mushroom classes 2 to 4 p.m. Oct. 13, and 20 Spicy scents of autumn trees, giant golden leaves on maples and the silvery chatter of American dippers in the river. These are the smells, sights and sounds of Oxbow Regional Park in the autumn. Witness the return of wild salmon to one of the Pacific Northwest’s premier rivers – the glacier-fed Sandy – just 45 minutes from downtown Portland.

Celebrate the abundance of fall by exploring the incredible diversity of fungi in Oxbow’s ancient forest. In this beginners mushroom class learn the basics of mushrooms and other fungi and how to go about identifying this complicated group of strange and fascinating life forms. This hands-on introduction will get you started identifying mushrooms and deepen your appreciation of the amazing variety of shapes, colors, textures and smells that make these life forms so intriguing. Suitable for adults and children age 12 and older. Meet at Alder Shelter (group picnic area A) at 1:45 p.m. Free with a $5 parking fee per vehicle and registration is not required. Leave pets at home. For more information, call 503-797-1650 option 2

The Crystal Springs Partnership will host a guided tour of southeast Portland’s Crystal Springs Watershed. Along the tour route, learn from local experts about the natural history of the watershed and plans for restoring a vibrant salmon run in Crystal Springs Creek.

There are two ways to participate…by foot and by bike.

Walkers will gather at Johnson Creek Park, SE 21st and Clatsop, at 9:30am, with the 2.5 mile walk scheduled to begin at 10:00.

Cyclists will gather at Reed College’s Eliot Circle at 11:15am for a five mile loop ride.

Riders and walkers will meet up at Reed College for a guided walk up Reed Canyon, where the tour will conclude with snacks and activities. Shuttle vans will be available for walkers who would like a ride back to Johnson Creek Park.

 As a part of the Bark Summer School Series, a crew of Portland dancers pays homage to Mt. Hood with original pieces, followed by the samba-reggae bloco ensemble, Skintight.  Come and learn more about Bark and how you can collaborate with them to protect clean water and wild ecosystems on Mt. Hood!  

Wilsonville Sunday Streets is a special event that will focus on connecting neighborhoods, parks, and people: bicyclists, walkers, runners, seniors, adults and children will enjoy traffic-free streets filled with fun and interactive entertainment, music, physical activities, and food.

For more information, please visit: http://ridesmart.com/sundaystreets

Join Tualatin Hills Park & Recreation District for an afternoon of recreation, environmental education and activities for kids and adults at various spots along this Fanno Creek Regional Trail.

Sunday Trailways is scheduled for June 24 from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. It will be a free event with activities for kids and adults at various points along the Fanno Creek Trail. The trail, which extends 4 1/2 miles within THPRD boundaries from Garden Home Recreation Center to Greenway Park, features some of Beaverton’s most scenic areas, including the Koll Wetlands, Fanno Farmhouse and Vista Brook Park.

The event will begin with a grand opening ceremony to commemorate January’s completion of the “missing link” of the trail, a half-mile segment extending from the intersection of Scholls Ferry Road and Allen Blvd to the end of 105th Court (near the intersection of Denney Road and Highway 217).

After that, trail neighbors and patrons of all ages and fitness levels are invited to walk, run or bike the route, meet neighbors and enjoy activities throughout the trail.

Planned activities include:

• Body fat/fitness assessments by THPRD personal trainers (Garden Home)

• Kids station with face painting, games and activities (Garden Home)

• THPRD Rec Mobile with activities for kids (Vista Brook Park and Greenway Park)

• Natural Resources education with park rangers (Vista Brook Park)

• Food/beverages for sale (Greenway Park, Garden Home)

• Historical guides/performances (Fanno Farmhouse)

• THPRD Nature Mobile with opportunities for kids touch real animal fur and feathers (Koll Wetlands)

• In-depth info on THPRD trails (Greenway Park)

• Free basic bike repair (Greenway Park)

THPRD encourages patrons of all ages and activity levels to join us for a new summer tradition on the trail. Ditch the car for a day and celebrate nature with friends and family.