This year is the 75th anniversary of Forest Park’s dedication in Portland’s park and recreation system. Together with local partners, we are planning community events to recognize this milestone. Forest Park is an important natural resource for wildlife and provides invaluable access to nature, exercise, and educational opportunities for all Portlanders. Come out to Forest Park during summer and fall 2023 to volunteer, learn, recreate, and celebrate with your community. Find event details and registration information below. You will receive information about event locations when you register.
Saturday, September 23, 2023 – Celebrate community in Forest Park
Join Portland Parks & Recreation (PP&R) and community partners for a celebration of community in Forest Park. As the City of Portland recognizes the 75 years it has stewarded this landscape, we invite our community into the park to honor the generations of Indigenous people who have stewarded the land since time immemorial, to celebrate community connections to this special place, and to help ensure Forest Park is inclusive and welcoming for generations to come.
Thanks to community partners Forest Park Conservancy, Outdoor Afro, Portland Audubon, PDX People of Color Outdoors, Ride Connection, Vive NW, Wisdom of the Elders, and others for their partnership in making this event happen.
Please register in advance for any activities you want to participate in using the links in the Activities section below. Note that some activities are uniquely tailored to specific communities or affinity groups; but all are welcome. The information fair is open to the public, and we invite registered participants to join the afterparty at Lower Macleay trailhead at 12:30pm for food and a celebration of the park and community! Bring along your friends and family. The more the merrier!
Activities
- 8:30am to 12pm: Volunteer in the park! (All are welcome)
- Join Forest Park Conservancy in caring for the park’s ecosystem by volunteering to pull ivy and do restoration work at multiple sites in the park. All training, tools, and materials will be provided by Forest Park Conservancy, along with snacks and coffee. Sign up on the Forest Park Conservancy website.
- Join Forest Park Conservancy in caring for the park’s ecosystem by volunteering to pull ivy and do restoration work at multiple sites in the park. All training, tools, and materials will be provided by Forest Park Conservancy, along with snacks and coffee. Sign up on the Forest Park Conservancy website.
- 9am to 1pm: Community Partners Info Fair! (All are welcome)
- Community organizations will be tabling at the Lower Macleay trailhead to share information about their programs. Partners include Forest Park Conservancy, Outdoor Afro, PDX People of Color Outdoors, Portland Fire & Rescue, PP&R Rangers and PP&R environmental education staff, Vive NW, and more. Come by and chat with some awesome organizations!
- Community organizations will be tabling at the Lower Macleay trailhead to share information about their programs. Partners include Forest Park Conservancy, Outdoor Afro, PDX People of Color Outdoors, Portland Fire & Rescue, PP&R Rangers and PP&R environmental education staff, Vive NW, and more. Come by and chat with some awesome organizations!
- 9:15am: Event opening (All are welcome)
- Join us at the Lower Macleay trailhead for a welcome featuring Dave Barrios, longtime PP&R Ranger in Forest Park.
- Join us at the Lower Macleay trailhead for a welcome featuring Dave Barrios, longtime PP&R Ranger in Forest Park.
- 9:15am to 11:30am: Birding walk with Portland Audubon
- Join PP&R and Portland Audubon for a birding walk in Forest Park celebrating diversity! This birding walk centering communities of color will start at Forest Park’s Holman Lane trailhead at 9:15am. All participants are welcome at a nearby celebration of community in Forest Park after the walk. We encourage you to come out to Forest Park, a community treasure, to learn, recreate, and celebrate with your community. Sign up for the birding walk.
- Join PP&R and Portland Audubon for a birding walk in Forest Park celebrating diversity! This birding walk centering communities of color will start at Forest Park’s Holman Lane trailhead at 9:15am. All participants are welcome at a nearby celebration of community in Forest Park after the walk. We encourage you to come out to Forest Park, a community treasure, to learn, recreate, and celebrate with your community. Sign up for the birding walk.
- 9:30 to 11:30am: Basket weaving with Wisdom of the Elders (All are welcome)
- Join Celeste Whitewolf, Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation elder, and Lise Gervais, a basket weaving instructor, for a basket weaving workshop at the Lower Macleay trailhead. Elder Whitewolf and Lise will be teaching participants to use natural materials to weave baskets and other crafts in a workshop designed for everyone. This workshop is presented in collaboration with Wisdom of the Elders. Sign up for the basket weaving workshop.
- Join Celeste Whitewolf, Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation elder, and Lise Gervais, a basket weaving instructor, for a basket weaving workshop at the Lower Macleay trailhead. Elder Whitewolf and Lise will be teaching participants to use natural materials to weave baskets and other crafts in a workshop designed for everyone. This workshop is presented in collaboration with Wisdom of the Elders. Sign up for the basket weaving workshop.
- 9:30am to 12:30pm: Group hike with Vive NW
- Join Vive NW for an incredible day as we celebrate the 75th anniversary of the dedication of Forest Park and the fantastic wonders it brings right into our city. On Saturday, September 23rd, immerse yourself in the wonders of our local ecosystems for a day of recreation, conservation, and community. This event will be spearheaded by Portland Parks & Recreation and Forest Park Conservancy, who will provide valuable insights into this breathtaking location, enriching our understanding of its rich ecological value and functions. All participants are welcome at a celebration of community in Forest Park after the hike. Register to participate.
- Únete a Vive NW y pasemos un día increíble celebrando el 75.º aniversario de la dedicación de Forest Park y las fantásticas maravillas que tiene nuestra ciudad. El sábado 23 de septiembre, sumérgete en esta aventura durante un día de recreación, conservación, celebración, y comunidad. Este evento es una oportunidad ideal para pasar tiempo de calidad con tus seres queridos, crear nuevas amistades e interactuar con personas amantes de la naturaleza. Este evento estará encabezado por Portland Parks & Recreation y Forest Park Conservancy, proporcionarán datos valiosos sobre este impresionante lugar. Todos los participantes son bienvenidos en una celebración de la communidad en Forest Park después de la caminata. Celebra el 75th aniversario de la dedicación de Forest Park
- 9:30am to 12pm: Group hike with Outdoor Afro
- Join Outdoor Afro, which celebrates and inspires Black connections and leadership in nature, for a hike from the Leif Erikson Drive trailhead at 9:30am. All participants are welcome at a nearby celebration of community in Forest Park after the hike. Sign up for the group hike with Outdoor Afro.
- Join Outdoor Afro, which celebrates and inspires Black connections and leadership in nature, for a hike from the Leif Erikson Drive trailhead at 9:30am. All participants are welcome at a nearby celebration of community in Forest Park after the hike. Sign up for the group hike with Outdoor Afro.
- 10am to 12pm: Group hike with People of Color Outdoors (All are welcome)
- Join Pamela Slaughter, founder of PDX People of Color Outdoors, for a family-friendly hike on the Lower Macleay trail. This will be a slow-moving hike with frequent stops to share about plants, birds, and other things of interest along the way. We will walk to the Stone House and then stop for photos and fun, meeting new friends, and then returning. This activity is open to everyone; this is not a BIPOC-only activity. Your well-behaved dog on a leash is welcome to join the hike. Please ensure they can be safe around children and please pick up after them. All participants are welcome at a celebration of community in Forest Park after the hike. Sign up for the PDX People of Color Outdoors hike.
- Join Pamela Slaughter, founder of PDX People of Color Outdoors, for a family-friendly hike on the Lower Macleay trail. This will be a slow-moving hike with frequent stops to share about plants, birds, and other things of interest along the way. We will walk to the Stone House and then stop for photos and fun, meeting new friends, and then returning. This activity is open to everyone; this is not a BIPOC-only activity. Your well-behaved dog on a leash is welcome to join the hike. Please ensure they can be safe around children and please pick up after them. All participants are welcome at a celebration of community in Forest Park after the hike. Sign up for the PDX People of Color Outdoors hike.
- 11:30am-12:30pm: Transformative Relationships: Uplifting Indigenous Ways of Knowing & Being (All are welcome)
- Join Serina Fast Horse for a dialogue on the growing leadership around uplifting Indigenous voice and vision through projects that restore land health and access. In recent years, there has been remarkable momentum across our region for creating opportunities for meaningful collaboration with Indigenous communities that supports collective community goals and builds community capacities. We are in an era of great transformation—when Indigenous values and practices are embraced, new and promising pathways to healing our social and ecological landscapes emerge. Serina will share her experience with local collaborative projects, including recent systemic shifts, important lessons learned, and gaps that still need to be bridged. Then, participants will be invited to share their reflections, questions, and hopes for the future. Register for the dialogue with Serina.
- Join Serina Fast Horse for a dialogue on the growing leadership around uplifting Indigenous voice and vision through projects that restore land health and access. In recent years, there has been remarkable momentum across our region for creating opportunities for meaningful collaboration with Indigenous communities that supports collective community goals and builds community capacities. We are in an era of great transformation—when Indigenous values and practices are embraced, new and promising pathways to healing our social and ecological landscapes emerge. Serina will share her experience with local collaborative projects, including recent systemic shifts, important lessons learned, and gaps that still need to be bridged. Then, participants will be invited to share their reflections, questions, and hopes for the future. Register for the dialogue with Serina.
- 12:30pm: Afterparty! (All are welcome)
- Join the afterparty at Lower Macleay trailhead featuring delicious food from Salsas Locas for all registered participants, as well as a short speaking presentation.
Transportation and Parking
Parking is limited at Forest Park's trailheads. Arriving by alternative transportation will help reduce trailhead congestion. Plan your public transit route using Trimet’s Trip Planner, or check out how to get to Forest Park trailheads via public transportation. We encourage you to carpool or take a shuttle if provided (check individual sign-up links for availability).
For ADA-accessible transportation, you can access the trailheads using TriMet Lift Paratransit services, or via an accessible taxi service through Portland WAV by visiting their website or by calling 503-865-4928. Thanks to a partnership with Ride Connection and Montgomery Park, PP&R is also providing a shuttle service with a lift from the Montgomery Park building to the trailheads for this event. Please sign up for the shuttle if you would like to use this service. A PP&R staff member will be in touch.
Accessibility and Accommodations
American Sign Language (ASL) interpretation
ASL interpretation will be provided during the speaking portion of the celebration at Lower Macleay trailhead. To request ASL interpretation at another time, please contact Liv Brumfield at least five business days prior to the event by calling 503-545-8717 or emailing Liv.Brumfield@portlandoregon.gov.
Shuttle service
Parking, including ADA parking, is very limited in Forest Park. Thanks to a partnership with Ride Connection and Montgomery Park, PP&R is providing a shuttle service with a lift from a nearby location to the trailheads for this event. Please sign up for the shuttle if you would like to use this service. A PP&R staff member will be in touch.
Other accommodations
To request an accommodation for this event, please contact Liv Brumfield at least five business days prior to the event by calling 503-545-8717 or emailing Liv.Brumfield@portlandoregon.gov. All events put on by the City of Portland are scent-free. The City of Portland ensures meaningful access to City programs, services, and activities to comply with Civil Rights Title VI and ADA Title II laws and reasonably provides: translation, interpretation, modifications, accommodations, alternative formats, and auxiliary aids and services. To request these services, or file a complaint of discrimination, contact 503-823-2525, or for Relay Service or TTY, contact 711.
Flyer for Celebrate Community in Forest Park event
Past events
Saturday, June 3, 2023 – Give back to Forest Park on National Trails Day
It takes an entire community to steward Forest Park. On National Trails Day, volunteer in the park and learn how PP&R and partners maintain Forest Park’s 80+ miles of trails. This multi-site trail stewardship event will be held in collaboration with Forest Park Conservancy.
- Time: 9am-12pm
- Registration: Click here to register with our partner Forest Park Conservancy.
- What: We'll be removing excess growth from the spring along the trails in the park, making a safe corridor for park-goers to use the whole trail. This helps prevent overuse and erosion throughout the season.
- How to get there: We strongly encourage carpooling whenever possible due to limited parking! Additionally, the tunnels on NW Cornell have been under construction, so please give yourself time when traveling to the trailhead! To get directions via public transit, check TriMet's Trip Planner. For more information about how to get to Forest Park, click here.
- What you'll need to be prepared: All participants are expected to wear close-toed shoes, and dress appropriately for the weather. Please bring a water bottle. Tools, gloves, coffee, water, snacks and project instruction provided.
- Here are a few tips to get you ready for this event:
- Registration is required for all stewardship events.
- Stay home if you are experiencing symptoms of any contagious illness or have had recent contact with someone exhibiting symptoms of any illness.
- Unless otherwise noted, all events are family-friendly and all ages are welcome to participate. However, children must be accompanied and supervised by an adult for the duration of the event. We encourage you to attend events with members of your household/family!
Saturday, July 22, 2023 – Adaptive hiking in Forest Park during Disability Pride Month
Join Portland Parks & Recreation and community partners for an adaptive hiking event in Forest Park. The event will feature an adaptive hiking information fair and equipment expo, an affinity space for people who are disabled or chronically ill, and a group hike along a paved trail in the park. People who are disabled or chronically ill and your family, friends, and caregivers are welcome to register to participate. Registered participants may attend one or more of the activities offered during this event. Registration will be capped when the event reaches capacity. More information about the event, including location and time, and a description of the activities, is located below.
Please visit the registration page to register for any of the activities offered during this event.
Location
Lower Macleay trailhead, located at 2960 NW Upshur St, Portland OR 97210.
Transportation options
TriMet bus lines 26, 15, and 77 provide access to Lower Macleay trailhead. We have a resource guide for those looking for more information on how to use public transportation to get to the trailhead. You can also plan your trip with TriMet, use TriMet Lift Paratransit services, or call an accessible taxi service like Portland WAV by visiting their website or by calling 503-865-4928. This trailhead can be used by people using wheelchairs or other assistive mobility devices. Read a description of the features of the trailhead.
Description of activities
ASL interpretation of all activities will be provided. Please make a request for other accommodations to Liv Brumfield at least five business days prior to the event by calling 503-545-8717 or emailing Liv.Brumfield@portlandoregon.gov.
Adaptive hiking information and equipment fair
Join Portland Parks & Recreation's Adaptive and Inclusive Recreation program, Disabled Hikers, Access Recreation, Oregon Spinal Cord Injury Connection, David's Chair, and other community partners to learn about adaptive hiking and outdoor recreation programming in the Portland Metro region. Some organizations will provide adaptive hiking equipment for demonstration.
- Time: 9am-12pm
Affinity space
Facilitated by representatives from the organization Disabled Hikers, this disability affinity space will provide opportunity for structured discussion about experiences with disability in the outdoors, feedback sharing about accessibility in Portland parks, and casual connection. People who are disabled or chronically ill and your family, friends, and caregivers are welcome.
- Time: 10-11am
- Participants may come or go as needed during the discussion.
Group hike
Led by representatives from the organization Disabled Hikers, this a guided group hike along a paved nature trail at Lower Macleay trailhead in Forest Park. The hike will include breaks as needed and opportunities for conversation and connection. An educational component may be included depending on interest. People who are disabled or chronically ill and your family, friends, and caregivers are welcome.
- Time: 11am-12pm
- Total distance: half a mile
- See a detailed description of the trail.
All events put on by the City of Portland are scent-free. The City of Portland ensures meaningful access to City programs, services, and activities to comply with Civil Rights Title VI and ADA Title II laws and reasonably provides: translation, interpretation, modifications, accommodations, alternative formats, auxiliary aids and services. To request these services, or file a complaint of discrimination, contact 503-823-2525, or for Relay Service or TTY, contact 711.
Friday, August 11, 2023 – Nature education in Forest Park
Calling all little ladybugs! Join our Environmental Education program for a special Ladybug Nature Walk to celebrate Forest Park’s 75th Anniversary. On a Ladybug Walk, children attend with an adult who assists in guiding them as they explore. While participating, children borrow a ladybug backpack with fun tools to help promote connection with the plants, animals, and insects in the park. Following the nature walk, Forest Park Conservancy will lead participants in a nature-based activity, working together with leaves and tree circles to craft art that everyone can take home.
- Time: Ladybug Nature Walk begins at 10:00am and lasts about an hour, with a nature-based activity to follow.
- Ages: Two to six years old (for the Ladybug Walk)
- Location: Forest Park, Lower Macleay Trailhead, 2998 NW Upshur St.
- To register: Register here. The registration Activity Code is 1154619.
Event information in other languages
Thanks to our partners:
For more information about Forest Park, including park information, accessibility information, and tips on how to access the park, please visit Forest Park | Portland.gov.