Spring is a great time to explore the vast geography of Forest Park, as the landscape explodes with life after a winter of relative dormancy. The early blooms of Indian plum (Oemleria cerasiformis) suggest that change is afoot, while the bountiful blooms of western trillium (Trillium ovatum) herald the true arrival of spring. The trails are less crowded and the variable weather lends another layer of depth to the forested landscape. So, what are you waiting for? It is time to get outside to experience spring in Forest Park.
Forest Park Conservancy eNews, March 2009
- Save the Date: March 21, 2009-Day of Stewardship
- Celebrate Forest Park Conservancy's 20th Anniversary by running 20 miles
- All Trails Challenge: Can you hike all of Forest Park's 70+ miles in one year?
- Hike of the Month: Stone House
Save the Date!
Spring Day of Stewardship
Saturday, March 21, 2009
9:00am-1:00 *Volunteer appreciation party to follow at the Lucky Lab
Sign up to volunteer today!
What: Join The Forest Park Conservancy as we continue the 60th anniversary celebration of Forest Park's dedication and the first day of spring with another community-wide volunteer work party! Our 2008 events rallied over 165 volunteers at each event, and we are hoping for an even larger turnout this time around. We will be working at 4 sites within Forest Park; Upper Macleay, Birch Trail head at 53rd, Springville Road/Firelane 7 and the Linnton Neighborhood. Projects will focus on invasive species removal, native plantings and possible trail work.
When: 9 am to 1 pm, with a volunteer appreciation party to follow at the Lucky Lab in the Northwest. Volunteers will receive food and beverages, and we will be raffling off prizes donated from event sponsors.
Where: The event will be staged from four separate sites in Forest Park. Please register for more information.
Why: The Forest Park Conservancy is committed to protecting and enhancing Forest Park. To that end, we are working to foster greater community involvement and increase our capacity to care for this incredible resource. We could not adequately address the Park's needs without the help of volunteers such as yourself. We hope you can join us.
What to bring: Work gloves, long pants, a full water bottle, and a smile. We recommend dressing in layers and bringing rain gear, regardless of the forecast. We work in all conditions. As we like to say, there is no such thing as bad weather - only inappropriate clothing!
RSVP: Pre-registration is requested. For more information, please visit the event page on our website.
No previous experience required. All are welcome, though those under 18 must be accompanied by parent or guardian. This event is in partnership with Portland Parks & Recreation. Many thanks to Patagonia, REI, West Multnomah Soil & Water Conservation District, Siltronic, Trail Factor Running Club, KEEN, the community of Linnton, Kettleman's Bagels, Grand Central Baking Company, and Stumptown Coffee for their generous support. For questions, please email Stephen Hatfield, FPC's Stewardship Director at stephen@forestparkconservancy.org. To sign up to volunteer, click here.
Here at the Conservancy we genuinely believe that the health of our community is tied to the health of each individual and to the health of Forest Park. And so, to step up to this challenge, volunteers are asked to bring one or cans of food or dried food boxes with you to the Day of Stewardship. Your donations will be shared with Sister of the Road Café and Friendly House to help those organizations help others in need.
Join us in celebrating Forest Park Conservancy's 20th Anniversary!
Run 20! For 20!
Saturday, June 20, 2009
Forest Park
A trail run to benefit Forest Park
On Saturday, June 20, 2009, celebrate the Forest Park Conservancy's 20th Anniversary by running 20 miles in Forest Park! The awe-inspiring trail run will take you along the scenic Wildwood trail; beginning at Germantown Road and finishing at Lower Macleay Park. When finished you will feel good knowing that not only did you just run 20 miles, but the $500 you raised as a requirement for your participation will go towards keeping Forest Park's trails clear, safe and in good condition for you to run now and for years to follow.
The event benefits the Forest Park Conservancy whose mission it is to protect and enhance Forest Park for future generations. Each year, the Forest Park Conservancy hires and trains a full time seasonal trail crew; the only staffed crew dedicated solely to Forest Park. The crew concentrates on maintaining and rebuilding the 70 plus miles of trails in the Park; work that could not be accomplished without our supporters. Thank you to END Footwear for their support of Run 20! For 20!
Space is limited, so early registration is recommended! For more information or to sign up for Run 20! For 20! click here or visit www.forestparkconservancy.org.
2009 Calendar of Events
In addition to the events list below, don't forget about our volunteer work parties, held every Thursday and every 3rd Saturday of each month. For more information or to sign up to volunteer, email Jeff Hough at jeff@forestparkconservancy.org.
March
Apr
- Launch of All Trails Challenge
- 18 Sat - 3rd Saturday Volunteer Work Party
June
- 6 Sat - National Trails Day
- 20 Sat - Run 20! For 20!
July
- 12 Sun - Photography Exhibit Opening/World Forestry Center: A Year in the Long Life of Forest Park (7/12 through 9/27)
September
- 19 Sat - Day of Stewardship
- 25 Fri - Forest Park Conservancy Gala
Check our web site throughout the year for an up-to-date listing of events as we are sure to add some more opportunities.
Also don't forget about our Thursday volunteer work parties! Every Thursday, Jeff Hough, the Forest Park Conservancy's Trail and Restoration Manager will be working in the park on the trails and removing invasive species. Jeff welcomes your help! To volunteer, email jeff at jeff@forestparkconservancy.org to be placed on his Thursday volunteer notification email list.
All Trails Challenge: 70 miles of trails in one year!
The All-Trails Challenge (ATC) is an outreach by the Forest Park Conservancy to encourage walkers, runners and off road cyclists to cover 70+ miles and more than 11,000 feet cumulative elevation gain of selected trails and roads in Forest Park. We hope that it will increase your awareness and knowledge of the park's many trails, features, and entrance points; that it will help you set goals for increased physical activity; and most importantly, that it will raise your awareness and love of this incomparable city park. Be on alert for further announcements regarding details about All Trails Challenge registration this spring. The event is free for FPC members and only $35 for non-members (includes membership to FPC). There will be quarterly prize drawings for participants, corporate team challenges and we will provide all the tools for success. Check out our web site for future event announcements and details to include trail maps and designated pedestrian and bike only trails. More All Trails Challenge information to follow! Registration begins, April 1, 2009.
Hike of the Month-Stone House
Staff Pick: Lisa Hillerns, Membership Coordinator
Its March, which means spring break is just around the corner! As you scramble for ideas on how to fill the hours of the day with your children consider a hike in Forest Park. For this month's pick we chose a hike that is pretty common, very accessible and doable for kiddos of most ages.
Begin at Lower Macleay Park beneath the Thurman Street Bridge, come up Lower Macleay Trail along Balch Creek. This hike is an out and back and you can make it as long or as short as you would like. Your main destination is the Stone House which is approximately .5 miles from the start of the hike at Lower Macleay Park. The Stone House was orignally built as a Works Administration project in the 1930s. This building had restrooms until the 1962 Columbus Day storm damaged its plumbing system. Today its stone ruins blend into the park's lush atomosphere. Balch Creek, an important watershed for the park, flows just below the Stone House. Once at the Stone House, you can turn around and head back the way you came or continue up the trail which will become a little steaper from this point forward.
During the hike, take some time to observe. If you haven't been to Lower Macleay Park trailhead in a while, you might notice a new trailhead sign. A patient observer may also notice water ouzels in the creek and cuttthroat trout in the pool beneath a wooden footbridge halfway to the stone house.
Membership corner: Your membership helps us support and protect Forest Park. We welcome and appreciate your support for one of the largest and wildest city parks in the nation. To join the Conservancy, send a check along with your name, mailing address, email and phone number to our office at 1507 NW 23rd Avenue, Portland, OR 97210 or you can securlely join online at www.forestparkconservancy.org. While supplies last, contribute at least $200 to the Conservancy's Annual Fund Campaign and receive a free pair of Keen shoes!
Communications Internship available: The Forest Park Conservancy has an immediate opening for a Communications Intern to help with the following projects:
- Build our Social Networking opportunities (Update the organizations FaceBook and Twitter pages and identify new social networking opportunites)
- Update as needed web page content
- Build and edit web page forms
- Approximately 12-18 hours per week
Position is a limited term position, volunteer position. Please forward your resume to Andrea Schwartz, andrea@forestparkconservancy.org.
For the forest,
Andrea Schwartz
Development and Communications Manager
Forest Park Conservancy
andrea@forestparkconservancy.org
503.223.5449
1507 NW 23rd Avenue
Portland, OR 97225
Forest Park Conservancy Wish List:
Pro bono graphic designer/web developer
Potential housing for our AmeriCorps NCCC 10 person volunteer trail crew team for 5-6 weeks in late spring/early summer
Vehicle/Truck for FPC trail crew
To unsubscribe, email: info@forestparkconservancy.org
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