Activities Calendar - Forest & Washington Park Express Shuttle

Friday, August 14, 2026

Washington Park - Oregon Zoo (Park Stop ID A)

Pop up nature at Hoyt Arboretum

• About: Join us for our weekly Pop Up Nature stations, this week we will be focusing on ancient trees. Participants will have the opportunity for nature crafts, activities, and hands-on learning at this free, drop in event. Participants will receive a Pop Up Nature passport and gain a stamp for each week they attend. Get 5 stamps to receive a prize! Materials will be translated in English and Spanish.
• When: Friday, August 14 from 9:30 AM – 12:30 PM
• Where: Meet at Hoyt Arboretum Visitors Center (take the MAX or Express Shuttle to Washington Park - Oregon Zoo [Park Stop ID A] and walk or take the Free Washington Park Shuttle to the Hoyt Arboretum)
• What to bring: Water, snacks, and weather appropriate clothing.
• Registration: Drop in event, registration not required.

Lower Macleay Trailhead (Park Stop ID D)

Tree Expert Hike with Foster Tree Arborists

• About: What are arborists looking at when they look at trees?  How does an arborist see recommended maintenance or support for trees? Nicky Dunbar, certified arborist and owner of Foster Trees, LLC will lead an exploration to share an arborist's perspective of tree structure and health. She will address some basics of tree biomechanics, what arborists are looking for when they make pruning or tree maintenance decisions, and how that can translate to caring for trees in your own landscape.
• When: Friday, August 14 from 11AM -1 PM
• Where: Lower Macleay Trailhead (Park Stop ID D)
• What to bring: Close-toed shoes, weather appropriate clothing, and water or snacks.
• Registration: Forest Park - Walk with an arborist

Saturday August 15, 2026

Washington Park - Oregon Zoo (Park Stop ID A)

Pop up nature at Hoyt Arboretum

• About: Join us for our weekly Pop Up Nature stations, this week we will be focusing on ancient trees. Participants will have the opportunity for nature crafts, activities, and hands-on learning at this free, drop in event. Participants will receive a Pop Up Nature passport and gain a stamp for each week they attend. Get 5 stamps to receive a prize! Materials will be translated in English and Spanish.
• When: Saturday, August 15 from 9:30 AM – 12:30 PM
• Where: Meet at Hoyt Arboretum Visitors Center (take the MAX or Express Shuttle to Washington Park - Oregon Zoo [Park Stop ID A] and walk or take the Free Washington Park Shuttle to the Hoyt Arboretum)
• What to bring: Water, snacks, and weather appropriate clothing.
• Registration: Drop in event, registration not required.

Guided hike at Hoyt Arboretum

• About: Explore Hoyt Arboretum's trails on a guided hike! Learn the trails, see the Arboretum's highlights, and meet a new community of outdoor enthusiasts. Reserve your spot in-person the day of the hike at the front desk inside the Visitor Center. Each hike is limited to 15 participants. Hikers should expect to cover up to 4 miles on a mix of packed dirt, gravel, and paved trails. The hiking pace will be approximately 2 miles per hour. Hoyt Arboretum's trails are well-graded but there is some elevation change (and occasionally stairs). Hikes will last 90 minutes to 2 hours and take place rain or shine.
• When: Saturday, August 15 from 10 AM – 12 PM
• Where: Meet at Hoyt Arboretum Visitors Center (take the MAX or Express Shuttle to Washington Park - Oregon Zoo [Park Stop ID A] and walk or take the Free Washington Park Shuttle to the Hoyt Arboretum)
• What to bring: Water, snacks, sturdy walking shoes, and weather appropriate clothing.
• Registration: Registration not required, capacity is limited. First come, first served.

Tree Time! Preschool walks at Hoyt Arboretum

• About: Tree Time! preschool walks are a safe and fun way to get outside with children ages 2 to 6 years old. Come join us for a story, song, and guided walk on the trails at Hoyt Arboretum, led by staff and trained Arboretum volunteers. Participants are encouraged to explore the forest using their senses and discover plants, trees, insects, mushrooms, and more. Pre-registration is required for participating children only. Adults and children under 2 are free to join so long as a registered 2-6 year old is in your group.
• When: Saturday, August 15 from 10 AM – 11:15 AM
• Where: Meet at Hoyt Arboretum Stevens Pavilion (take the MAX or Express Shuttle to Washington Park - Oregon Zoo [Park Stop ID A] and walk or take the Free Washington Park Shuttle to the Hoyt Arboretum)
• What to bring: Water, snacks, sturdy walking shoes.
• Registration: Tree Time! Preschool Walks - Hoyt Arboretum

Ancient Trees Walk at Hoyt Arboretum with People of Color Outdoors (POCO)

• About: Hoyt Arboretum's Redwood Trail is home to coast redwoods - trees that can live more than 2,000 years. This is a day of awe! We will meet at Charles Jordan Community Center to board the 11:50 AM Forest & Washington Park Express Shuttle to Hoyt Arboretum. We will return to Charles Jordan Community Center at 4:15 PM.
• When: Saturday, August 15^th from 11:50 AM – 4:15 PM
• Where: Meet at Charles Jordan Community Center (City Stop ID 5)
• What to bring: Comfortable walking shoes, layered clothing, water bottle, a notebook or sketch book, and snacks.
• Registration: People of Color Outdoors at Hoyt Arboretum! 

Lower Macleay Trailhead (Park Stop ID D)

Bird watching with BirdHERS

• About: Join BirdHERS for a bird watching nature exploration through Forest Park. BirdHERS is a local bird watching club for women, trans, and non-binary folks that emphasizes the importance of connection to community and place through the lens of bird watching and non-hierarchal knowledge sharing. Dress for the weather, bring your water bottle and a pair of binoculars or borrow one of ours! BirdHERS is skewed for beginners, all experience levels and ages encouraged. We will meet at Peninsula Park Community Center at 10:15 to board the 10:30 shuttle to Lower Macleay. We will return to Peninsula Park Community Center by 1:30 on the shuttle.
• When: Saturday August 15th from 10:30 AM – 1:30 PM
• Where: Meet at Peninsula Park Community Center (City Stop ID 4)
• What to bring: snacks, water, sturdy walking shoes, and weather appropriate clothing.
• Registration: Drop in event, registration not required.
   

Leif Erikson Drive Trailhead at Germantown Road (Park Stop ID E)

Tree Identification Hike with Forest Park Conservancy

• About: Have you ever wondered about the trees all around us? Would you be surprised to learn that the official state tree of Oregon is the second tallest tree in the world? Did you know that maple syrup can be made from one of Oregon's trees? Come learn about the remarkable trees we live with as we hike in beautiful Forest Park. We'll hike for approximately 1.5 hrs. at a leisurely pace with frequent stops to observe and learn. Expect some ups and downs on the trail. All participants must register for this event.
• When: Saturday, August 15 from 10 AM – 11:30 AM
• Where: Leif Erikson Drive Trailhead at Germantown Road (Park Stop ID E)
• What to bring: Please wear sturdy shoes, bring trekking poles if you use them, and come with your own water. Feel free to also bring a snack to enjoy on the trail.
• Registration: Tree Identification Hike, Saturday, August 15th, 2026

Friday, August 21, 2026

Washington Park - Oregon Zoo (Park Stop ID A)

Pop up nature at Hoyt Arboretum

• About: Join us for our weekly Pop Up Nature stations, this week we will be focusing on cones. Participants will have the opportunity for nature crafts, activities, and hands-on learning at this free, drop in event. Participants will receive a Pop Up Nature passport and gain a stamp for each week they attend. Get 5 stamps to receive a prize! Materials will be translated in English and Spanish.
• When: Saturday, August 21 from 9:30 AM – 12:30 PM
• Where: Meet at Hoyt Arboretum Visitors Center (take the MAX or Express Shuttle to Washington Park - Oregon Zoo [Park Stop ID A] and walk or take the Free Washington Park Shuttle to the Hoyt Arboretum)
• What to bring: Water, snacks, and weather appropriate clothing.
• Registration: Drop in event, registration not required.
   

Lower Macleay Trailhead (Park Stop ID D)

Explore Your Park with Portland Parks & Recreation, Environmental Education

• About: The Explore Your Park Series is a free program for all ages that offers hands-on activities, scavenger hunts, creature features, guided park tours, and more. Events will be 2 hours in length and attendees can drop in to participate for any amount of time during that period. This program will visit a different Portland park each month to learn from and about the plants and animals that call it home.
• When: Friday, August 21 from 11 AM – 1 PM
• Where: Lower Macleay Trailhead (Park Stop ID D)
• What to bring: Water, snacks, sturdy walking shoes, and weather appropriate clothing.
• Registration: Drop in event, registration not required.

Saturday August 22, 2026

Washington Park - Oregon Zoo (Park Stop ID A)

Pop up nature at Hoyt Arboretum

• About: Join us for our weekly Pop Up Nature stations, this week we will be focusing on cones. Participants will have the opportunity for nature crafts, activities, and hands-on learning at this free, drop in event. Participants will receive a Pop Up Nature passport and gain a stamp for each week they attend. Get 5 stamps to receive a prize! Materials will be translated in English and Spanish
• When: Saturday, August 22 from 9:30 AM – 12:30 PM
• Where: Meet at Hoyt Arboretum Visitors Center (take the MAX or Express Shuttle to Washington Park - Oregon Zoo [Park Stop ID A] and walk or take the Free Washington Park Shuttle to the Hoyt Arboretum)
• What to bring: Water, snacks, and weather appropriate clothing.
• Registration: Drop in event, registration not required.

Guided hike at Hoyt Arboretum

• About: Explore Hoyt Arboretum's trails on a guided hike! Learn the trails, see the Arboretum's highlights, and meet a new community of outdoor enthusiasts. Reserve your spot in-person the day of the hike at the front desk inside the Visitor Center. Each hike is limited to 15 participants. Hikers should expect to cover up to 4 miles on a mix of packed dirt, gravel, and paved trails. The hiking pace will be approximately 2 miles per hour. Hoyt Arboretum's trails are well-graded but there is some elevation change (and occasionally stairs). Hikes will last 90 minutes to 2 hours and take place rain or shine.
• When: Saturday, August 22 from 10 AM – 12 PM
• Where: Meet at Hoyt Arboretum Visitors Center (take the MAX or Express Shuttle to Washington Park - Oregon Zoo [Park Stop ID A] and walk or take the Free Washington Park Shuttle to the Hoyt Arboretum)
• What to bring: water, snacks, sturdy walking shoes, and weather appropriate clothing.
• Registration: Registration not required, capacity is limited. First come, first served.

Tree Time! Preschool walks at Hoyt Arboretum

• About: Tree Time! preschool walks are a safe and fun way to get outside with children ages 2 to 6 years old. Come join us for a story, song, and guided walk on the trails at Hoyt Arboretum, led by staff and trained Arboretum volunteers. Participants are encouraged to explore the forest using their senses and discover plants, trees, insects, mushrooms, and more. Pre-registration is required for participating children only. Adults and children under 2 are free to join so long as a registered 2-6 year old is in your group.
• When: Saturday, August 22 from 10 AM – 11:15 AM
• Where: Meet at Hoyt Arboretum Stevens Pavilion (take the MAX or Express Shuttle to Washington Park - Oregon Zoo [Park Stop ID A] and walk or take the Free Washington Park Shuttle to the Hoyt Arboretum)
• What to bring: Water, snacks, sturdy walking shoes.
• Registration: Tree Time! Preschool Walks - Hoyt Arboretum
   

Lower Macleay Trailhead (Park Stop ID D)

Yoga in the Park with Forest Park Conservancy

• About: Come out and join Forest Park Conservancy on this nature connection experience! Barbara is an experienced yoga practitioner and teacher of beginners and experienced students. She has a deep love of Forest Park and will blend gentle yoga and breathwork to explore the Forest through the senses. This is a wonderful opportunity for body, air, and land connection. After the yoga experience you can continue your journey and take a light stroll on the Forest Trail. All participants must register for the event, which will be capped at 15 students. 
• When: Saturday, August 22 from 9 AM – 10:30 AM
• Where: Lower Macleay Trailhead (Park Stop ID D)
• What to bring: Please bring your yoga mat/towel/props and dress for the weather. Bring water and snacks as needed.
• Registration: Forest Yoga - Saturday, August 22, 2026 | Forest Park Conservancy

Hike with Multnomah County REACH

• About: Join the REACH team for a leisurely hike starting at Lower Macleay Park. This hike is part of a physical activity series called Active People Healthy Multnomah. The focus of this hike is to get folks outside in community with one another. This hike will focus on getting to know someone that is from a different generation than you. The walk will be about 1.5 hrs (not including transportation time) and participants should expect a fun, leisurely walking opportunity with the community. All ages are welcome to participate while those who are 17 and under should have an adult guardian present.
• When: Saturday, August 22 from 11 AM - 1 PM
• Where: Meet at Lower Macleay Park (Park Stop ID D)
• What to bring: Water, hat, sunscreen, snacks, close-toed shoes, and weather-appropriate clothing.
• Registration: https://forms.gle/FRCqsbCBMSGjrzvJ8

Painting in the Park with Forest Park Conservancy

• About: Enjoy Forest Park in a new way with this guided watercolor painting session hosted by the Forest Park Conservancy. Inspiration is found everywhere in nature, especially in Forest Park! Come channel that inspiration, make new friends and learn new skills during this 2-hour event. Materials will be provided, all skill levels are welcome!
• When: Saturday, August 22 from 1 PM – 3 PM
• Where: Lower Macleay Trailhead (Park Stop ID D)
• What to bring: Drinking water, snacks
• Registration: Painting in the park - August 22nd, 2026 | Forest Park Conservancy
   

Leif Erikson Drive Trailhead at Germantown Road (Park Stop ID E)

Hike with Black Men's Wellness

• About: Event information coming soon!
• When: Saturday, August 22 from 1 PM – 3 PM
• Where: Leif Erikson Drive Trailhead at Germantown Road (Park Stop ID E)
• What to bring: Event information coming soon!
• Registration: Event information coming soon!