The Hoyt Arboretum – West Portland’s living laboratory
The Hoyt Arboretum, located in Washington Park in west Portland, is a living laboratory full of over 1,000 plant species from around the world. Inside scientists, students, and lovers of nature can learn about plants that would otherwise not grow in this climate or even this hemisphere.
During National Forestry Week in 1928, the Forestry Committee of the Chamber of Commerce convinced the City Council to establish an arboretum in Washington Park to preserve evergreens for educational and recreational purposes., The Arboretum is now home to just under ten thousand individual trees and shrubs most of which are individually labeled to help those who are particularly interested in the plant. Despite its relatively young age, the Arboretum possesses the largest group of distinct species of any arboretum in the U.S
The Hoyt Arboretum is a great place for an outdoor family activity in Portland. It features over two miles of stroller accessible trails as well as picnic areas and a visitor center. It features over 12 miles of trail and tours given by volunteers; in addition, it hosts Nature Day Camps and Lady Bug Walks as well as school tours. The park is open every day from 5 am to 10 pm, dogs are allowed on a leash but bicycles are prohibited on trails. The Hoyt Arboretum is located at 4000 SW Fairview Blvd just outside of Downtown Portland. and Sylvan Heights. Fore more information check out their website at www.hoytarboretum.org.
The International Rose Test Garden
The International Rose Test Garden, located inside Washington Park in Portland, is a 4.5 acre park that is home to 10,000 roses of all types including some that can’t be found elsewhere. This scenic Portland Park is a place where visitors can “stop and smell the rose” literally, in addition the garden is a functional test site for new hybrid rose species.
The Garden was founded in 1917 to serve as a place where European hybrid roses could weather the storm of World War I. In 1919 the city of Portland issued its first annual Gold Medal Award to the best new rose variety introductions. In the 1940’s it became the official testing site for the All-America Rose Selection , a Chicago-based non-profit association of rose growers dedicated to the introduction and promotion of exceptional roses. The Garden houses several smaller theme gardens dedicated to particular people and achievements. The Royal Rosarian Garden honors the Royal Rosarian civic group, while the Shakespeare Garden, only houses plants that were mentioned in its namesake’s plays.
The Gold Medal Garden is filled with the specimens that have won Portland’s Gold Medal Award for best new rose variety. This garden wasn’t planned so much as it developed through50 years of gold medal roses. As a test garden, this is one of only six places in the United States where miniature rose tests are conducted. The Miniature Rose Garden displays these test subjects as well as additional award winning variates in the middle of the garden near the center aisle.
The International Rose Test Garden offers tours given by OSU Extension Service Master Gardener volunteers on Tuesdays and Saturdays in addition guided tours of 10 or more are available for a small fee per person . The Garden is open daily 7:30 am until 9 pm admittance is free but donations are appreciated. Nearly all of the Garden is wheelchair and stroller accessible and leashed dogs are allowed. The International Rose Test Garden is located at 400 SW Kingston Ave just outside Downtown Portland and Nob Hill. For more information check out their website at www.rosegardenstore.org
Forest Park – Excellent hiking trails minutes out of Portland
Forest Park is a slice of Northwest forest circa the 1800s, located just minutes outside Downtown Portland, it borders along Skyline, Nob Hill and The Pearl District. The park boasts an impressive trail system with over 70 miles of trails, fire lanes, and gravel roads on its five thousand plus acres. The terrain is extremely varied and marked with numerous ridges and ravines, appropriate for those at all experience levels.
In 1803, William Clark, of Lewis and Clark Fame first laid eyes on what would later become Forest Park. Originally inhabited by Native Americans, the 5,000-plus acreage that is now Forest Park was claimed by the United States in the early 1800s. The land was mostly doled out to prospectors but much of it reverted to the city of Portland at the beginning of the 20th century. In 1948 the original three thousand acres was designated as city parkland and the park has been growing ever since.
The park offers trails that cater to bicyclists, equestrians, hikers and runners as well as nature photographers, birdwatchers and naturalists attracted by the park’s native plants and wildlife. Forest Park is home to over 100 bird species and 62 types of mammals. Its massive tree canopy and substantial undergrowth, help to serve as a natural air purifier, water collector, and erosion controller. Every year the Friends of Forest Park, host a series of guided hikes throughout the park. These hikes allow participants to learn about the culture and history of the park and include mountain bike tours and specialty tours for children. In addition the 30-mile Wildwood Trail is part of the region’s 40-Mile Loop system that links Forest Park to pedestrian and trail routes along the Columbia River to Gresham, through southeast Portland, along the Willamette Greenway, and back to the Marquam Trail in southwest Portland. For more information about the guided tours or Forest Park itself check out http://www.forestparkconservancy.org/
Washington Park
Washington Park located near Downtown Portland, and borders around Goose Hollow, Arlington Heights and Westover, it covers 129 acres and offers something for everyone. Families will appreciate the Portland Children’s Museum and the accessibility of the Hoyt Arboretum as well as the Portland Zoo, day-trippers will appreciate the Japanese Garden and the International Rose Test Garden, and serious hikers will appreciate the fact that the Portland trail system starts in the park and travels over 100 miles.
The first portion of Washington Park was purchased in 1871, but it wasn’t accessible until the early 1900’s thanks to logging efforts and the installation of a cable car. The last major addition to to the park came in 1922, when the entire 160-acre County Poor Farm was transferred to the Park Bureau. The southern half of this purchase became the West Hills Golf Course and the remainder became the Hoyt Arboretum. The garden was also the site of Portland’s first zoo, which Dr. Richard B. Knight began as an animal attraction in the mid-1880s. Over the years the park has grown and become home to numerous monuments including the Lewis and Clark Memorial and the Oregon Holocaust Memorial among others.
Washington Park offers hikers numerous convinces including paved and unpaved trails, lighted trails, and numerous picnic areas. There is also an archery range, tennis court and a playground for children. In addition the amphitheater regularly hosts a summer concert series as well as other activities. Hikers, bikers, and equestrians are all welcome as are their four legged friends. While some sections of the park have different hours most of it is open to the public from 5 am to 10 pm. The main entrance to Washington Park can be found on SW Park Place just west of down Portland.
#2- The Portland Japanese Garden
This is post #2 of my 101 cool Portland places.
One of the first places I visited when I moved to Portland was The Japanese gardens. It was a misty day and the ambiance moody yet peaceful. My friends and I walked around for a couple of hours and we were all impressed with the beauty it had to offer.
The Portland Japanese Garden, located in the hills of west Portland, is notable for its peaceful atmosphere and attention to detail that will have visitors thinking they are in Japan. In fact, in a study done by the Journal of Japanese Gardening, it was ranked first out of 300 Japanese gardens outside of Japan and is widely considered to be one of the most authentic.
Designed by Professor Takuma Tono in 1963, the garden is split into five smaller gardens all of which combine to represent the earth. The most formal of these is the large Flat Garden it is full of evergreens contrasted with a sea of sand that is arranged to evoke the four seasons The largest of the five is Strolling Gardens it houses an antique five-tiered pagoda lantern given to Portland in 1963 by Sapporo, its Sister City in Japan. The Tea Garden is notable in that everything about it is design to make the Tea Ceremony as harmonious as possible. The Natural Garden is full of lush plant life growing amidst flowing streams and bridges. By contrast the Sand and Stone Garden offers the simplicity of stones set in raked sand it is similar to those typically found in Zen Monasteries.
Located in the Arlington Heights neighborhood, the garden covers 5.5 acres and offers numerous hiking trails. Portland Japanese Garden offer numerous events throughout the year including numerous art exhibits and yearly Japanese festivals. Hiking is restricted to trails and unfortunately visitors will have to check their pets and cell phones at the door. Summer hours are 12-7 PM on Mondays and 10-7 the rest of the week. Admission is $8.00 for adults, $6.25 for:seniors and students children 5 and under are free. The Portland Japanese Garden is located at 611 SW Kingston.
For more information check out their website at www.japanesegarden.com
