Chronicles of our quest to find something fun to do that is local and inexpensive or, dare I say, free!

Sunday, April 29, 2012

Champoeg State Park

Since last weekend was Liam's birthday, we skilled the field trip for last week. But we mad up for it this weekend! We spent all morning at a beautiful state park just minutes from Newberg. Champoeg state park is a wonderful place for taking long, quite, nature walks. It is filled with historic markers and information about the park's relevance to Oregon history.
We started our walk in the Oak Grove day-use area of the park. We decided to take a scenic walk through the wetlands and fields. We ended up walking a total of about 4 miles, through wooded areas filled with wildlife. We saw various birds (including a woodpecker), squirrels, and chipmunks.
    
We stopped at one of the many historical buildings on the walk, and saw the monument that stands where the first Oregon settlers took a vote to decide if they wanted government. It passed 52 to 50 (close call I'd say), and Oregon became the first western state to adopt a system of government.

If you would like to take a long quiet walk with river, forest, and field views, than this is a great place to go! We saw several people and dogs (the park is very pet friendly) while walking, and even saw hundreds of bicycle riders as the park was serving as a pit-stop in some cyclist activity. 
Our little family has taken many walks in the park and have enjoyed it throughout the year. In the spring, flowers are blooming and the animals are out and about. In the summer there is the river and many other outdoor activities to partake in (Frisbee golf, horses-shoeing, camping, and various picnic areas). In the fall the leaves change colors and the park offers a quite, calm walking area. And although we have never braved a winter out there, I'm sure the scenery is beautiful then as well!
The park does charge a $5 donation for day-use entrance into the park, so there is that to consider. But to be so close to the Portland area, and not be able to tell, is amazing! It's like you go back in time to the pioneer days. There are no sounds other than the ones you make, the wind from time-to-time, the river, and the animals that live there. It's a fantastic place to go and Liam loves our walks there. You should take a look!
*Oh but one piece of advise: if you have allergies, take something before you go. I learned this the hard way!

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