PARK UPDATES AND ADVISORIES

TRAILS -  Summer 2008

Trails update:  All trails are now open.

Old Wagon Trail:  The Nature Park's Advisory Committee is developing a fund-raising initiative to fund the reconstruction of this trail.  If you would like more information on this project or have an interest in contributing in any way, please contact Joan Andersen-Wells.

Restoration work:  Oregon white oak restoration work is in process along the Ponderosa Loop Trail and Old Wagon Trail.  In these areas, some trees have been flagged to identify species, trunk size, and habitat components.  This information is important to preservation of the Oregon white oak trees.  Please leave the flagging in place.  For more information, drop by the Interpretive Center.

Animal crossings:  Animals of various sizes all use the Nature Park along with us.  If you’re lucky enough to see them then they probably crossed in front of you on the trail.  Some may be smaller and harder to see and may be beneath your feet.  Watch your step while you enjoy the park.

Protect habitat:  Please help to make this a success by staying on the trail.  If you encounter puddles on any of the trails, please remember walk through and not around them.  Remember, plants grow by the inch and die by the foot!

No pets in the Nature Park:  As most of our park patrons know, pets are not allowed at the Nature Park.  We have recently developed a brochure with good suggestions of places to walk your pets.  Drop by the interpretive center and pick one up.

If you observe unfavorable conditions, such as muddy sections of trails or downed trees on any trail in the Park, please notify a Nature Park staff member so we can resolve the problem promptly.

FLORA – Summer

Flora:  Red Elderberry (Sambucus Racemosa) is berrying.  Pacific Ninebark (Physocarpus capitatus) is blooming its white puffy flowers.  Baldhip rose (Rosa gymnocarpa) and Nootka rose (Rosa nutkana) are blooming and their lovely fragrance fills the air.  Stinging Nettle (Urtica dioica) and Poison Oak (Toxicodenron diversiloba) are present throughout our park, so please stay on the trails.

FAUNA – Summer

Birds:  Cooper's Hawk have built a nest off of Oak Trail and the babies are about to fledge.  Stop by the front desk to find out where to   find them.

Mammals: Black-tailed deer are having their babies, thus being fairly secretive.  If you get lucky, you might see one of the new families.

Amphibians:  Tree frogs in various wet areas around the park can be heard chorusing together in an enchanting harmony. 

Please don’t feed the wildlife:  Feeding human food to wildlife can be harmful to them in various ways. Please don't feed the ducks or any other wildlife that you may come upon.  Artificially feeding wildlife can train the animals to be aggressive and lose their natural fear of humans, both of which often leads to the death of the animals.  Please report any feeding of wildlife to the Nature Park Interpretive Center. 

HABITATS

Restoring Oak Woodlands:  Oak woodlands and savannas used to be a major component of the Willamette Valley landscape, but now they are among the most endangered ecological communities in the Pacific Northwest.  In the last 150 years, agricultural and urban development has reduced these important habitats.  Now the Natural Resources Department of Tualatin Hills Park and Recreation District has designed and are implementing this Oak Plan to protect and restore Oregon white oak habitat within our parks.  The goal of restoring the oaks is to remove competitive tree species so that more sunlight is able to reach the oaks to help them flourish.  If you have further questions about restoring oak wetlands please contact our Natural Resources Specialist Julie Reilly.

Get involved:  The next opportunity to get involved in habitat restoration is during our upcoming park project days.  Check out our volunteer page for more information on these projects.  Contact our volunteer coordinator Melissa Marcum if you are interested in helping.  

Watch for us while you are walking the trails. We are here to assist visitors and answer nature questions. 

Ranger Scott Hinderman
Ranger Kelly Rose Perry