There’s plenty to do if you’re staying put in metro Portland for spring break – especially if you love the great outdoors.
Here's a snapshot of three of Metro’s emerald gems: Blue Lake Regional Park, Oxbow Regional Park and Graham Oaks Nature Park.
People young and old can watch waterfowl, nosh on picnic lunches, and walk the shore around Blue Lake Regional Park, just 20 minutes from downtown Portland. The 64-acre natural lake, nestled in a Fairview neighborhood, is fed by underground springs.
Boats aren’t available for rental until May 1, but anglers can test their luck from a universally accessible pier. Children 12 and younger may fish without a license.
Other activities at Blue Lake include basketball, archery, volleyball and softball. If the fields are too soggy for sports, you’re never too old to stomp in puddles. And if the rain really comes down, the park has plenty of shelters.
Looking for a more rustic experience? Oxbow Regional Park offers a chance to see a wide range of wildlife amid the splendid Sandy River Gorge. The 1,200-acre park provides natural habitat for songbirds, beavers, foxes, bears, cougars and other critters.
Want to know more about where they go? On March 25, a local guide will lead a free class on animal tracking. The event is suitable for all ages. Click here for more information.
The park’s campground is closed, but picnic shelters and playgrounds are open.
Call 503-665-4995 to reserve picnic shelters at Metro's regional parks.
The last place on this list is Graham Oaks Nature Park, in Wilsonville. The 250-acre park provides a nice contrast to the Oxbow and Blue Lake parks with its mix of prairies, wetlands and oaks and conifers.
Tonquin Trail traverses the Graham Oaks' eastern half, providing a paved surface for cyclists and joggers. Other trails wind past woodlands and wetlands, where walkers might spot Western gray squirrels, orange-crowned warblers and other wildlife.
Typically, dogs are not allowed in Metro parks in order to protect sensitive habitats and skittish critters. Tonquin Trail is an exception because it is a regional throughway. Dogs must be on a leash at all times and are not allowed in other areas of the park.
Graham Oaks' picnic shelter is available on a first-come, first-served basis and cannot be reserved. It is 620 square feet with five picnic tables, two of which are wheelchair accessible, accommodating a total of 36 people.