wheelchair accessible

Venue:

Tualatin Hills Nature Park Interpretive Center

Venue Details:

The Tualatin Hills Nature Park is a 222-acre wildlife preserve in the heart of Beaverton, Oregon. It features evergreen and deciduous forests, creeks, wetlands, ponds, and meadows. The park is home to a variety of birds, mammals, and smaller creatures. About 1.5 miles of trails are paved, while the remaining 3.5 miles are well maintained, soft-surface trails. The Nature Park Interpretive Center, Oak Trail, and sections of the Vine Maple Trail are accessible to the disabled. We also have a wheelchair that can be checked out for no charge. Highlights of the Nature Park Interpretive Center include classrooms, a nature store, reference library, and exhibit area. The Interpretive Center offers a variety of environmental education classes and activities for adults, children, and school groups throughout the year.

Cost:

$3 per person; free for ages 2 and under

Papermaking for beginners at Graham Oaks

Tuesday, August 21, 2012 - 1:00pm to 2:00pm

Metro

Address:

11825 SW Wilsonville Road

wilsonville, OR 97070

United States

Park/Trail:

Graham Oaks Nature Park

Categories:

Bees do it and so can you! At Graham Oaks Nature Park, join papermaker Laurel Ann Bower and learn who invented papermaking, and how to make your own decorative paper from recycled materials. Suitable for ages 5 and older; children 16 and under must be accompanied by a registered adult. Free. Advance registration required. Register online or call 503-797-1650 option 2.

Contact Name:

Metro Parks

Contact Phone:

503-797-1650 option 2

Contact Email:

metroparks@oregonmetro.gov

Contact Website:

Venue:

Graham Oaks Nature Park

Venue Details:

Explore trails, restored oak woodlands, a conifer forest and rich wildlife at Metro's new Graham Oaks Nature Park in Wilsonville. Ride your bike on the Tonquin Trail, stroll through a conifer forest or spot birds from a wetland overlook at Metro's Graham Oaks Nature Park in Wilsonville. This 250-acre destination is a playground not just for people, but also for wildlife. With restored oak woodlands growing bigger every year, Graham Oaks provides important habitat for native birds and mammals. Bring your family, bring your camera, bring a picnic to the sustainable new picnic shelter. Bring your curiosity, and learn how voters helped renew this special landscape. Three miles of trails traverse Graham Oaks, allowing visitors to explore several habitats in a single park. Cyclists and joggers can take the paved Tonquin Trail, which eventually will connect Wilsonville, Tualatin and Sherwood. A spur trail leads to a wetland overlook, perfect for bird-watchers; Coyote Way meanders through young oak woodlands. For a bit of shade, follow the Legacy Creek Trail through a rich conifer forest where thousands of species thrive. Be sure to visit Graham Oaks’ five plazas – perfect spots to rest, reflect and learn about the park. Be on the lookout for native wildlife such as white-breasted nuthatch, Western bluebird, orange-crowned warbler and Western gray squirrels.

Cost:

free

Pioneer candle-making at Graham Oaks

Tuesday, July 10, 2012 - 1:00pm to 3:00pm

Metro

Address:

11825 SW Wilsonville Road

wilsonville, OR 97070

United States

Park/Trail:

Graham Oaks Nature Park

Categories:

Come to Graham Oaks Nature Park to make candles using an old-fashioned method. Learn the technique and then make yours unique. Suitable for ages 5 and older; children 16 and under must be accompanied by a registered adult. Free. Advance registration required. Register online or call 503-797-1650 option 2.

Contact Name:

Metro Parks

Contact Phone:

503-797-1650 option 2

Contact Email:

metroparks@oregonmetro.gov

Contact Website:

Cooper Mountain Nature Park

Venue:

Graham Oaks Nature Park

Venue Details:

Explore trails, restored oak woodlands, a conifer forest and rich wildlife at Metro's new Graham Oaks Nature Park in Wilsonville. Ride your bike on the Tonquin Trail, stroll through a conifer forest or spot birds from a wetland overlook at Metro's Graham Oaks Nature Park in Wilsonville. This 250-acre destination is a playground not just for people, but also for wildlife. With restored oak woodlands growing bigger every year, Graham Oaks provides important habitat for native birds and mammals. Bring your family, bring your camera, bring a picnic to the sustainable new picnic shelter. Bring your curiosity, and learn how voters helped renew this special landscape. Three miles of trails traverse Graham Oaks, allowing visitors to explore several habitats in a single park. Cyclists and joggers can take the paved Tonquin Trail, which eventually will connect Wilsonville, Tualatin and Sherwood. A spur trail leads to a wetland overlook, perfect for bird-watchers; Coyote Way meanders through young oak woodlands. For a bit of shade, follow the Legacy Creek Trail through a rich conifer forest where thousands of species thrive. Be sure to visit Graham Oaks’ five plazas – perfect spots to rest, reflect and learn about the park. Be on the lookout for native wildlife such as white-breasted nuthatch, Western bluebird, orange-crowned warbler and Western gray squirrels.

Native bees to the rescue

Sunday, August 5, 2012 - 1:00pm to 3:00pm

Metro

Address:

18892 SW Kemmer Road

beaverton, OR 97007

United States

Park/Trail:

Categories:

At Cooper Mountain Nature Park discover the secret life of native bees – from carpenter bees to leafcutters. These gentle bees almost never sting and provide critical pollination, but they need your help. Learn to identify bees and the plants they eat, and how to install a bee nursery. $8 per person, ages 11 and older; under 11 free. Children must be accompanied by a registered adult. Advance registration required; call 503-645-6433.

Contact Name:

Metro Parks

Contact Phone:

503-797-1650 option 2

Contact Email:

metroparks@oregonmetro.gov

Contact Website:

Cooper Mountain Nature Park

Venue:

Cooper Mountain Nature Park

Venue Details:

Explore the trails, natural garden and visitor facilities and enjoy the views and rare habitats at the new Cooper Mountain Nature Park near Beaverton. Overlooking the Tualatin River Valley, the new Cooper Mountain Nature Park sits on the southern edge of Beaverton, shouldered by dense urban development to the north and open agricultural lands to the south. The 231-acre park offers visitors 3 1/2 miles of gravel trails traversing the park's rare habitats and natural features. Cooper Mountain Nature Park is operated through a partnership between Metro and the Tualatin Hills Park & Recreation District.

Cost:

$8 per person, ages 11 and older

Twilight Tuesday at Cooper Mountain

Tuesday, July 24, 2012 - 7:00pm to 9:30pm

Metro

Address:

18892 SW Kemmer Road

beaverton, OR 97007

United States

Park/Trail:

Categories:

Dusk is one of the best times to see wildlife, especially in summer. On this relaxing walk, a Metro naturalist teaches basic techniques of wildlife watching and identification. Some mammals you may see: rabbits, deer, coyote, raccoon and bats. Bring binoculars or borrow a pair on site. Meet at the Nature House. Suitable for ages 10 and older; participants must be able to be quiet, sneaky and patient. Registration and payment of $10 per person required in advance; call 503-629-6350.

Contact Name:

Metro Parks

Contact Phone:

503-797-1650 option 2

Contact Email:

metroparks@oregonmetro.gov

Contact Website:

Smith and Bybee Wetlands Natural Area

Venue:

Cooper Mountain Nature Park

Venue Details:

Explore the trails, natural garden and visitor facilities and enjoy the views and rare habitats at the new Cooper Mountain Nature Park near Beaverton. Overlooking the Tualatin River Valley, the new Cooper Mountain Nature Park sits on the southern edge of Beaverton, shouldered by dense urban development to the north and open agricultural lands to the south. The 231-acre park offers visitors 3 1/2 miles of gravel trails traversing the park's rare habitats and natural features. Cooper Mountain Nature Park is operated through a partnership between Metro and the Tualatin Hills Park & Recreation District.

Cost:

$10

Twilight Tuesday at Smith and Bybee Wetlands

Tuesday, August 21, 2012 - 7:00pm to 9:30pm

Metro

Address:

5300 N. Marine Drive

portland, OR 97203

United States

Park/Trail:

Categories:

Take a relaxing walk at Smith and Bybee Wetlands on a long summer evening. Dusk is one of the best times to view wildlife, especially during summer. It’s about the only time mammals such as beaver, muskrat, otter, raccoon, deer and bats can be seen. A Metro naturalist teaches basic techniques of wildlife watching and identification. Bring binoculars or borrow a pair onsite. Suitable for ages 10 and older; participants must be able to be quiet, sneaky and patient. Meet in the parking area on North Marine Drive. Registration and payment of $6 per adult or $11 per family required in advance. Register online or call 503-797-1650 option 2.

Contact Name:

Metro Parks

Contact Phone:

503-797-1650 option 2

Contact Email:

metroparks@oregonmetro.gov

Contact Website:

Smith and Bybee Wetlands Natural Area

Venue:

Smith and Bybee Wetlands Natural Area

Venue Details:

At nearly 2,000 acres, Metro’s Smith and Bybee Wetlands Natural Area is the largest protected wetlands within an American city. This beautiful natural area is one of the region’s best-kept secrets, hiding in a part of Portland surrounded by port terminals, warehouses and other commercial developments. Most visitors to the natural area are surprised to find beaver, river otter, black-tailed deer, osprey, bald eagles and Western painted turtles living only minutes from downtown Portland.

Cost:

$6 per adult or $11 per family

Twilight Tuesday at Smith and Bybee Wetlands

Tuesday, July 10, 2012 - 7:00pm to 9:30pm

Metro

Address:

5300 N. Marine Drive

portland, OR 97203

United States

Park/Trail:

Categories:

Take a relaxing walk at Smith and Bybee Wetlands on a long summer evening. Dusk is one of the best times to view wildlife, especially during summer. It’s about the only time mammals such as beaver, muskrat, otter, raccoon, deer and bats can be seen. A Metro naturalist teaches basic techniques of wildlife watching and identification. Bring binoculars or borrow a pair onsite. Suitable for ages 10 and older; participants must be able to be quiet, sneaky and patient. Meet in the parking area on North Marine Drive. Registration and payment of $6 per adult or $11 per family required in advance. Register online or call 503-797-1650 option 2.

Contact Name:

Metro Parks

Contact Phone:

503-797-1650 option 2

Contact Email:

metroparks@oregonmetro.gov

Contact Website:

Oxbow Regional Park Trails

Venue:

Smith and Bybee Wetlands Natural Area

Venue Details:

At nearly 2,000 acres, Metro’s Smith and Bybee Wetlands Natural Area is the largest protected wetlands within an American city. This beautiful natural area is one of the region’s best-kept secrets, hiding in a part of Portland surrounded by port terminals, warehouses and other commercial developments. Most visitors to the natural area are surprised to find beaver, river otter, black-tailed deer, osprey, bald eagles and Western painted turtles living only minutes from downtown Portland.

Cost:

$6 per adult or $11 per family

Around the campfire at Oxbow: Rick Meyers' old time music

Friday, June 29, 2012 - 8:30pm to 9:30pm

Metro

Address:

3010 SE Oxbow Parkway

Gresham, OR 97080

United States

Park/Trail:

Categories:

camping

swimming

<p>This lively show immerses the audience in the musical heritage of the American pioneers along the Oregon Trail. Instruments and household items such as the musical saw, jew’s-harp, spoons, banjo, ukulele and washtub bass are included as part of this informative, fun-filled presentation.</p><p>Meet around the campfire for stories and old-fashioned entertainment when you camp at Oxbow Regional Park. Enjoy live music on Friday nights and nature presentations and storytellers on Saturday nights. Campfire shows are open only to overnight campers; day use ends at legal sunset when park gates are locked. Programs are in the outdoor amphitheater at the campground. Free. For more information, call 503-797-1650 option 2. <a href="http://www.oregonmetro/oxbow">www.oregonmetro/oxbow</a></p>

Contact Name:

Oxbow Regional Park

Contact Phone:

503-663-4708

Contact Email:

sandra.jamison@oregonmetro.gov

Contact Website:

Crystal Springs Rhododendron Gardens

Venue:

Oxbow Regional Park

Venue Details:

A 1,000-acre natural area nestled in the scenic Sandy River Gorge, Oxbow Regional Park offers visitors rare access to many of the region’s natural wonders while providing a variety of unique recreational opportunities. The river draws rafters and kayakers and offers anglers some of the best winter steelhead and salmon fishing in Oregon.  Twelve miles of trails invite visitors to explore an ancient forest with centuries-old trees and ridges and ravines carved by volcanic and glacial flows. The area’s natural habitat makes an ideal home for wildlife such as mink, beaver, fox, raccoon, deer, osprey, songbirds, elk, black bear, cougar and Chinook salmon. To protect wildlife, pets are not permitted in Metro parks or natural areas.  Grab your sleeping bags, throw a tent in your trunk and head out to the campground at Metro's Oxbow Regional Park for a night under the stars.Each of Oxbow’s campsites include a picnic table, fire pit, cooking grill and lantern pole. Two restroom buildings boast hot and cold running water, coin-operated showers, heated-air hand dryers, radiant floor heating and flush toilets. The restroom facilities and two campsites are accessible by wheelchair. Ten pull through sites are available for RVs (www.oregonmetro.gov/oxbow).

Cost:

Free with paid overnight camping

April Rhododendron Show

Sunday, April 7, 2013 - 10:00am to Saturday, April 13, 2013 - 4:00pm

Portland Parks & Recreation

Address:

Portland, OR

United States

Park/Trail:

Categories:

gardening/farming

The second weekend in April is our Early Rhodie Show with several hundred trusses of early blooming rhododendrons. There is an even larger display on Mother's Day weekend.

Contact Phone:

503-771-8386

Contact Website:

http://www.rhodies.org

Baltimore Woods Celebration

Saturday, July 28, 2012 - 10:00am to 3:00pm

Friends of Baltimore Woods & Partners

Address:

6600 N Catlin Avenue

St. Johns

Portland, OR

United States

Categories: