Metro parks passes for 2013 are a useful and thoughtful holiday gift. A pass offers users year-long access to Metro's Oxbow and Blue Lake regional parks, Chinook Landing Marine Park and the M. James Gleason Boat Ramp.
From Oxbow Regional Park, home to mink, beaver, salmon, elk, black bear and cougar, to Metro’s Blue Lake Regional Park, host to a new world-class, gold-level disc golf course, the pass provides a variety of outdoor options for families and explorers.
Since Metro’s boat ramps no longer accept cash, an annual pass makes it easier to connect with nature. The 67-acre Chinook Landing Marine Park, adjacent to Blue Lake Regional Park on Marine Drive, has six launching lanes on the Columbia River, and is the largest public boating facility in Oregon. The park offers picnic and viewing areas, wetland and wildlife habitat, disabled-accessible docks, restrooms and a seasonal river patrol station.
The M. James Gleason Memorial Boat Ramp, located at Northeast 43rd Avenue and Marine Drive, is another convenient public boat launch on the Columbia River, minutes from downtown Portland. Amenities include launch lanes, boarding docks, restrooms, river maps and a river patrol office.
Metro’s annual parks passes are valid from the time of purchase through Dec. 31, 2013. Purchase passes online, over the phone, 503-665-4995 option 0 or at Blue Lake and Oxbow park offices. Passes cost $40 for the year. Senior passes cost $30. For information about passes, call 503-665-4995 option 0.