Ladybug Nature Walks take place in Portland's parks and natural areas. They are perfect for toddlers and preschoolers who want to explore in nature with a trained educator. Children attend with an adult who assists in guiding them along as they explore.
2021 Ladybug Nature Walks have begun! Join us!
Walks resumed the first week of February 2021. The schedule is listed below. Please make sure to read all COVID-19 requirements if you plan to register for a walk this winter or spring!
Jump to Upcoming Walks - Dates, Times, Locations
Ladybug Nature Walks
Ladybug Nature Walks are a way for children ages 0-6 (and an adult) to explore a local Portland park. Nature educators guide families to notice plants and animals. Walks are child-directed and open-ended. Nature educators walk with the children in small groups. Children learn through questions, observation, and play. Groups move slowly through the park, stopping often. In this way, children have time to notice the plants and animals around them. If we have extra time we might also read a story, sing a song, or use puppets for imaginative play.
Walks last one hour. Content is geared for children ages 18 months-6 years. (Younger siblings under 18 months are welcome. Please give us their names and ages when prompted during registration.)
While exploring with a nature educator, children borrow a small Ladybug backpack containing a few tools that are easy to clean:
- Magnifying lens
- Small plastic tub with a lid
- Metal Spoon
- Laminated color wheel for matching
- Plastic Bug box
- Plastic paintbrush
- Small toy insect for imaginative play
For more information, email enviroed@portlandoregon.gov or call 503-823-1149.
We offer weekly walks for the general public, but we ask that preschool groups, classrooms, and organizations with more than five children schedule a customized group Ladybug Walk. Find information about customized group Ladybug Walks here.
Program changes during the COVID-19 pandemic
Ladybug Walks have some new guidelines to comply with COVID-19 protocols. If you are interested in participating, please read details carefully.
We will be offering two walks each day of programming (except during the last two weeks when the weather is much colder). Please make sure you are registering for the correct walk.
- Walk 1 - 9:30-10:30am
- Walk 2 - 11am-Noon
There are 14 participant spots available for each walk (this number does not include the adults attending).
All children and adults will need to be able to follow these guidelines to participate in a walk:
- Registration is required. All children 18 months - 6 years must register. List information about the adult attending and any younger siblings coming along during registration.
- Group sizes are limited. Walks are for children ages birth through 6 and their caregivers or parents.
- Physical distancing is required. Everyone must stay 6' feet apart from people not living in the same household.
- Face coverings are required for everyone age three and older (3+). Face coverings must cover the nose and mouth. If your 3-6 year old is not yet able to wear a mask, start practicing now so they are ready.
- Signed liability waiver is required. A COVID-19 waiver must be completed for everyone during the registration process. (A waiver signed for a child also covers the parent who signs the waiver. Adults who are not the parent will need to sign the waiver once on site.)
- You will be screened for symptoms when you arrive. Our staff will be screening everyone arriving for COVID-like symptoms on the day of the walk. If you are sick, please withdraw from the program to keep others safe. You will receive a full refund as long as you withdraw before the start time of your walk. Withdraw online or contact 503-823-1149 .
- No sharing of supplies or equipment. We will still be providing ladybug backpacks and sanitized tools for each child, but ask that children only touch their own equipment. All supplies are sanitized after each walk and all backpacks rest for 72 hours before being used again.
- Follow general sanitation guidelines. Please have all participants wash or sanitize hands when they arrive, after using the bathroom, and at the end of the walk. Cover your coughs and sneezes. Stay home if you are ill.
Upcoming Walks: Times, Dates, and Locations
Walks take place rain or shine. We are outside 100% of the time. Please dress both children and adults in warm layers and rain coats and rain boots during the cold and wet months. We suggest hats and mittens and a full change of clothes just in case your little one is a puddle stomper.
Please arrive five minutes early to get screened, checked in, and connected to your nature educator. Locations vary each week. We try to schedule walks in Northwest, Southwest, North, Northeast, and Southeast Portland each month. Do you have a suggestion for a Portland park that would be a good location for your family? Let us know!
Register for a walk by clicking on the links below!
When registering your child, you will be prompted to give the name and phone number of the adult attending the walk. Only children ages 2-6 will be charged the fee.
Winter and Spring Walks - February through May 2021
Site notes for each location are listed below.
| Day of Week | Date | Time | Location | Meeting Spot | Activity Number |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wednesday | February 10 | 9:30am | Mt Tabor Park (Note this is a change in location) | Meet at the picnic shelter across from the Visitor's Center. Turn right at the entrance to the park near SE 69th and Yamhill Street. | 1127893 |
| Wednesday | February 10 | 11am | Mt Tabor Park (Note this is a change in location) | Meet at the picnic shelter across from the Visitor's Center. Turn right at the entrance to the park near SE 69th and Yamhill Street. | 1127894 |
| Thursday | February 18 | 9:30am | Marshall Park | Meet at the east entrance to the park on SW 12th Drive, near the playground. (9200 SW 12th Drive) Pay attention to signs and park along the south side of the road. | 1127895 |
| Thursday | February 18 | 11am | Marshall Park | Meet at the east entrance to the park on SW 12th Drive, near the playground. (9200 SW 12th Drive) Pay attention to signs and park along the south side of the road. | 1127896 |
| Wednesday | February 24 | 9:30am | Alberta Park | Meet at the path next to the Fire Station along NE 19th Avenue (between NE Killingsworth and Jarrett Street) | 1127898 |
| Wednesday | February 24 | 11am | Alberta Park | Meet at the path next to the Fire Station along NE 19th Avenue (between NE Killingsworth and Jarrett Street) | 1127899 |
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| Tuesday | March 2 | 9:30am | Lincoln City Park | Meet at the path at the NW corner of the park, just a block east of SE 131st Avenue and Mill Street. (across from the David Douglas track) | 1127900 |
| Tuesday | March 2 | 11am | Lincoln City Park | Meet at the path at the NW corner of the park, just a block east of SE 131st Avenue and Mill Street. (across from the David Douglas track) | 1127901 |
| Monday | March 8 | 9:30am | Columbia Park - Tennis Courts | Meet at the north side of the park at the paved path (N Foss Avenue and Winchell Street, near the tennis courts) | 1127902 |
| Monday | March 8 | 11am | Columbia Park - Tennis Courts | Meet at the north side of the park at the paved path (N Foss Avenue and Winchell Street, near the tennis courts) | 1127903 |
| Tuesday | March 16 | 9:30am (Special 90-minute walk) | Oaks Bottom Wildlife Refuge | Meet at the north parking lot, near SE Milwaukie and Mitchell Street - This is an extended walk that includes exploring at Tadpole Pond) **If interested, bring any or all of the following to explore in the pond: small net, light-colored tub, light-colored measuring cup, ladle, old ice cube tray, a plastic container (pie plate sized or shoe box sized). | 1127904 |
| Monday | March 22 | 9:30am (Special 90-minute walk) | Whitaker Ponds Natural Area | Meet at the covered gazebo at Whitaker Ponds (7040 NE 47th Avenue). **If interested, bring any or all of the following to explore in the pond: small net, light-colored tub, light-colored measuring cup, ladle, old ice cube tray, a plastic container (pie plate sized or shoe box sized). | 1127905 |
| Wednesday | March 24 | 11am (no 9:30 walk) | Wallace Park | Meet at the south side of the park near the baseball diamond (NW Pettygrove Street and 26th Avenue) | 1127906 |
| Thursday | March 25 | 11am (no 9:30 walk) | Woodstock Park | Meet under the trees at the NW corner of the park (SE Steele Street and 47th Avenue) | 1127907 |
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| Thursday | April 1 | 9:30am | Gabriel Park - Pollinator Meadow | Meet near the Gabriel Park community garden (4115 S Canby St). Overflow parking at the west end of S Canby Street, just west of SW 40th Court. | 1127908 |
| Thursday | April 1 | 11am | Gabriel Park - Pollinator Meadow | Meet near the Gabriel Park community garden (4115 S Canby St). Overflow parking at the west end of S Canby Street, just west of SW 40th Court. | 1127909 |
| Wednesday | April 7 | 9:30am | Irving Park - Tennis Courts | Meet at the trees near the tennis courts at NE Fargo Street and 7th Avenue. | 1127910 |
| Wednesday | April 7 | 11am | Irving Park - Tennis Courts | Meet at the trees near the tennis courts at NE Fargo Street and 7th Avenue. | 1127911 |
| Tuesday | April 13 | 9:30am | Kenilworth Park - Tennis Courts | Meet at the trees near the tennis courts along SE 32nd Avenue (just north of SE Holgate Boulevard) | 1127912 |
| Tuesday | April 13 | 11am | Kenilworth Park - Tennis Courts | Meet at the trees near the tennis courts along SE 32nd Avenue (just north of SE Holgate Boulevard) | 1127913 |
| Monday | April 19 | 9:30am | Cathedral Park | Meet at the bathrooms in the boat launch parking lot (N Bradford Street and Baltimore Avenue) | 1127914 |
| Monday | April 19 | 11am | Cathedral Park | Meet at the bathrooms in the boat launch parking lot (N Bradford Street and Baltimore Avenue) | 1127915 |
| Tuesday | April 27 | 9:30am (Special 90-minute walk) | Powell Butte | Meet at the Visitor's Center (up the hill from SE Powell Boulevard and 162nd Avenue) - This is an extended walk that includes walking to the viewpoint at an elevation around 600 ft. | 1127916 |
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| Wednesday | May 5 | 9:30am | April Hill Park | Meet at the soccer field at the west entrance of the park (near SW 59th Avenue and S Miles Street) | 1127917 |
| Wednesday | May 5 | 11am | April Hill Park | Meet at the soccer field at the west entrance of the park (near SW 59th Avenue and S Miles Street) | 1127918 |
| Thursday | May 13 | 9:30am | Cully Park | Meet at the grassy area next to the bathrooms. Park in the lot at the end of NE 72nd Avenue (about 3 blocks north of NE Killingsworth Street) - **Participants are invited to join The Native Gathering Garden Coordinator after the walk to help tend the garden at 10:45am. If interested, bring food, water, and any gloves, trowels, hand rakes, and uprooting tools you might have! | 1127919 |
| Thursday | May 13 | 11am | Cully Park | Meet at the grassy area next to the bathrooms. Park in the lot at the end of NE 72nd Avenue (about 3 blocks north of NE Killingsworth Street) **Participants are invited to join The Native Gathering Garden Coordinator after the walk to help tend the garden at 12:15am. If interested, bring food, water, and any gloves, trowels, hand rakes, and uprooting tools you might have! | 1127920 |
| Wednesday | May 19 | 9:30am | Sellwood Riverfront Park | Meet near the bathrooms adjacent to the parking log along SE Oaks Park Way (about a block north of SE Spokane Street) | 1127921 |
| Wednesday | May 19 | 11am | Sellwood Riverfront Park | Meet near the bathrooms adjacent to the parking log along SE Oaks Park Way (about a block north of SE Spokane Street) | 1127922 |
| Tuesday | May 25 | 9:30am | Overlook Park | Meet at the trees near the cul-du-sac on N Fremont Street, just west of N Interstate Avenue. | 1127923 |
| Tuesday | May 25 | 11am | Overlook Park | Meet at the trees near the cul-du-sac on N Fremont Street, just west of N Interstate Avenue. | 1127924 |
Pay What You Can pricing
As always, Ladybug Walk fees are based on "Pay What You Can" pricing. Walks are listed as $9 per child. When registering, use the available $3 discounts to reduce the cost to $6 or $3 per child (ages 2-6). Children 18-24 months can register but attend for free.
When prompted during registration, please list the first name, last name, and phone number of the adult attending with the child(ren).
List any younger siblings who will be coming along when prompted during registration.
Adults coming on the walk - we need your help!
When families arrive on site they will be assigned to walk in a small group of 3-5 children (and the adults attending with those children). Each group is led by one of our preschool nature educators. This will be your traveling group for the entire program.
As educators, we are good at what we do, but we are used to doing it right alongside the children. If you are registering your child for an upcoming walk, we plan to use you to help us bridge that six foot gap:
- Plan to be engaged the whole time. (Put aside your phone and mental to-do list. Explore along with your child.)
- Dress for the weather! Plan for rain. Add a layer. Arrive with footwear that can walk through wet grass or along a muddy trail.
- Get curious along with your child. Slow down, get down on the ground, and look around.
- Slow your pace. What a gift to have this time to explore together. Take advantage of it.
- Let go of having answers. Instead of trying to fill your child's head with facts or things that you think are interesting, follow their lead. Young children are more interested in the process of exploring than caring about names and nature facts.
We will be there alongside to guide, encourage, and get excited, but you will need to be our extended hands.
Meet the Educators!
Pictures from previous walks
