Get Outside: Forest Park
Portland is, believe it or not, host to one of the largest woodland city parks in the country!
Forest Park, measuring 5,126 acres, is the largest park within the city limits of any city in the US! Not only is it impressive in its size, but the southernmost border of the park is only a few minutes from the Pearl District, NW Portland, and Slabtown with easy access for visitors and city dwellers alike. The park contains 57 trails and 32 miles of bikeable fire lanes and is frequented by hiking enthusiasts, runners, mountain bikers, dog walkers, and anyone wanting to enjoy nature at its finest without driving for hours.
Link to PDF of Forest Park Map: https://www.portland.gov/sites/default/files/2020-04/forest-park-trails-printable-map.pdf
Park History
Forest Park sits atop the Tualatin Mountain Range, and the uneven terrain and geologic instability made the park largely unsuitable for development. Regardless, numerous attempts were made at building in the mountains, most of which failed. The much-used Leif Erikson Drive (11.2 miles of road loved by mountain bikers and hikers) is a throwback from the early 1900s when it was built to access potential developments.
Before the land became Forest Park it was privately owned (and homesteaded) and logged.
Most of the park is composed of second-growth trees, as vast swathes of the area were logged between 1910-1940. By the time that early pro-park advocates organized to form what would become the Forest Park Conservancy, most of the forest needed to be re-planted.
Oregon Encyclopedia - Forest Park.
Image: bb002225 Courtesy Oreg. Hist. Soc. Research Lib.
Intent to create a park existed even before the axes were swung. Support first began when John and Frederick Olmstead, -the sons of the man who designed Manhattan's Central Park - put the idea forward in 1903. But it took 45 years for the park to be established, and then only thanks to the visionary efforts of Portland’s early community leaders.
Indigenous peoples
The history of the land which is now Forest Park dates back much further: Indigenous Peoples settled in what is now the park and the surrounding area up to 10,000 years ago. *From these ancient inhabitants came the Chinookan-speaking peoples, which include the Clackamas, Kathlamet, Multnomah, and Tualatin.
These peoples were forcibly displaced by settlers who would later found the state of Oregon.
Image and more information: Owl Sculpture - OrHi 37732
Flora and Fauna Abounds
Forest Park houses incredible biodiversity: 45 species of mammals and over a hundred species of bird can be found in the park, not to mention the 200 species of trees and shrubs.
One of every three bird species that can be found in the park is recognized as Special Status Species, which are "identified as being important regionally and statewide for protection and conservation*."
Learn more by visiting the Portland Audubon's 172-acre Wildlife Sanctuary, whose many trails connect with Forest Park.
The Forest Park Conservancy
Over 2,000+ volunteers, staff, and seasonal technicians preserve one of Portland’s greatest assets. Their commitment to the mission and the dedication of this group keeps the park healthy for us to enjoy.
Guided by the Greater Forest Park Conservation Initiative, the Forest Park Conservancy maintains trails, restores native habitat, and inspires community appreciation and future stewardship for generations to come.
Image and more information: forestparkconservancy.org
A Solution to Keeping Hikers Safe -Barbara Walker Crossing
For many years, Forest Park hikers on the Wildwood Trail (a major trail that winds 30 miles through the park) had to cross the enormously busy Burnside Street. Something had to be done, and a plan was hatched to build a safer path. The vision of the Barbara Walker Crossing became a reality in 2019. Named for Barbara Walker, a parks advocate who died in 2014, the “footbridge over Burnside” was a much-needed solution to the pedestrian vs. car conflict as the number of park-goers were forced to cross the traffic-dense thoroughfare.
More about Barbara Walker Crossing:
We're fortunate to live near such an incredible park with 80 miles of trails just out your door! Enjoy the gorgeous flora and fauna! Go outside, get some vitamin D, and get a breath of fresh air. We're lucky to live in Portland!
There are a ton of great resources to learn more about the park:
