A stretch of rare White Oak Savanna along I-205 in West Linn is now in good hands. The property is one of the few remaining expanses in the Willamette Valley – with some oaks estimated to be older than 400 years. The partnership between The Trust For Public Land, The Bureau of Land Management, Neighbors for a Livable West Linn, The Horning Plant Center, West Linn’s Parks and Recreation Department, Metro and Oregon State Parks has successfully protected 14 acres of the 20 acre site, with hopes to purchase the remaining 6 acres soon. Future plans for this parkland include pathways and trails for easy access and benches from key viewpoints.
The purchase of the property was very much a ground-up effort – with city and neighborhood residents combining forces to purchase the savanna and designate it a natural park over the last several years. Loyal volunteers show up several times a month to work on restoration efforts, and so far almost 50 community members have committed to help restore and maintain the area. In addition, students from Willamette Primary and West Linn High schools have been pitching in. The savanna boasts a diversity of wildlife and native plants; camas, fringe cup and fawn lily, as well as deer, red-tailed hawks, band-tailed pigeons and coyotes can be found enjoying this prized remnant of the Willamette Valley landscape.