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Located at 20900 NW Amberwood Dr., Hillsboro, OR 97124, Orchard Park is small open space area and disk golf course. This park also serves as a start point for the Rock Creek Trail. There is also a quick paved trail with a nice creek, perfect for strollers or dog walking.
  Henry Hagg Lake, and the surrounding Hagg Lake Park, are located in rural Washington County, Oregon, 50250 SW Scoggins Valley Road, Gaston OR 97119 about ½ hour from Hillsboro and right outside of Forest Grove. The park is actually owned by the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, but is managed by Washington County. There is a $6.00 fee per vehicle to enter the park.  ADA Accessible fishing pier Henry Hagg Lake was created in 1975 as a reservoir for neighboring populations and farm lands, providing “irrigation and drinking water as well as flood mitigation services. The cities of Forest Grove, Hillsboro, and Beaverton, along with smaller communities, rely on the reservoir for drinking water and other municipal needs, and for industrial uses. The lake also provides recreational opportunities, including trout fishing, swimming, and boating and several picnic areas and hiking trails.” The area that is now the lake was originally part of Scoggins Creek.
 The International Rose Test Garden, part of the larger Washington Park area in Portland is a great place to walk, picnic or just check out the award winning roses. The garden, which was first envisioned by Georgiana Burton Pittock, socialite and rose lover in 1888 when she wanted to show off her roses. As things usually do, when the wealthy decide something is worth doing, funding follows. Roses became a craze in Portland and by 1912, the Royal Rosarians had formed and continue to this to be "ambassadors of goodwill" for Portland Events, particularly the annual Rose Festival.  There gardens within the main Rose Garden, including a Shakespeare Garden (originally located Crystal Springs Rhododendron Garden) which was installed in 1945 and designed to only include plants found in Shakespeare's plays. There is also a Miniature Rose Garden, which is one of only 6 test gardens for miniature roses in the country. We visited in the morning and were rewarded by lots of urban wildlife, including two bunnies and a swarm of hummingbirds. The garden is free, but you need to pay to park, unless you take public transit.
Westmoreland Park, located at SE McLoughlin Blvd & Bybee Blvd in Portland is part of naturescape movement taking over in the Pacific Northwest. Although the park was originally acquired in 1927, and has been in continuous use since the 1930's and has a fascinating history. The park began with lots of concrete but by the early 2000's city planners decided to restore much the natural wetlands and creek bed of crystal springs, which runs through the park. The park was revamped in 2014 and 42.01 acres is now a mix of play area, ponds, stream and wetlands.
 Strawberry Tree The Oregon Garden, located at 879 W. Main St. Silverton, OR 97381 and offers 80 acres of botanical displays, a cafe and even a hotel . It's a bit pricey at $6-$14 a person, but it's a good place to go once or twice a year. We went in November and found lots of wildlife, but in keeping with Oregon's winters, it was very wet (umbrellas and rain jackets are recommended). The garden also boasts the only house in Oregon designed by Frank Lloyd Wright.  A little frog we found on the path  The Tillamook Forest Center is nestled in the heart of the Tillamook forest, about an hour out of Portland, Oregon at 45500 Wilson River Highway, Tillamook, Oregon 97141. The main center is ADA accessible, although the bridge and hikes are not. One important thing to note about the Tillamook Forest Center is that it does close for the winter, according to the website, the hours are: SUMMER HOURS: 7 days a week, 10:00 – 5:00 Seasonal Hours: Spring: Wed – Sun, 10:00 – 4:00 Summer: 7 days a week, 10:00 – 5:00 (Memorial Day – Labor Day) Fall: Wed – Sun, 10:00 – 4:00 Winter: Closed December – February The center has some excellent interpretive exhibits about both the Tillamook Burn and the history of the Tillamook Forest, including information about the First Nations people who lived (and still live) in the area. There are also interpretive walks and activities throughout the day.  Cross the bridge and you are led to a multitude of trails following the Wilson River, a popular spot for locals to come and hang out with picnics. I chose to hike up to Wilson Falls, which was less of a waterfall and more of a drip in August, but it is actually on the trail, so that's kind of neat. Bring water and sense of adventure on some of the more advanced hikes, there are some drop off's and it's not stroller accessible, but any steady child should be ok.
Did you know that when school is not in session, all public schools in Oregon are free neighborhood playgrounds? That means the same place your child goes to school can be their after school and weekend playground too!  For kids who need adaptive play equipment and access, check out the Accessible and Inclusive Playground directory.
Beverly Beach State Park is located just north of Newport, Oregon and about three hours from the Portland Metro area. We stayed in the tent camping area and, even though it was the height of summer, it was pretty cold at night, so pack warmly. The campground is clean and mostly flat (with a few ADA accessible campsites and cabins). The beach is literally steps away and the bathrooms and hot showers are like heaven. It is also pet friendly, which our pets really appreciated! Prices vary from a small day use fee up to about $50.00 per night for a full hook up.
Driving down busy Allen or Murray roads, it's hard to imagine that only a couple blocks away is a cute park with a playground, walking trails, nature area and even a skate park! With Access off Bonnie Brae, Erickson, or Berthold . The easiest access is to go to the Corner to Berhold and Erickson and head about half a block down Erickson. This will take you to a playground for little kids, and an expansive one for big kids:
Right next to the playground is a There is also a reservable picnic shelter and little path that will lead you to basketball courts, a wetland area, the skate park and community gardens. The Evelyn M. Schiffler Memorial Park is newly renovated (2013) and provides a safe, easily accessible way for families to spend time outdoors.  |
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