Fanno Creek Trail
By admin | July 12, 2008
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What’s to Love: After living here for the past 9 years and being an avid city biker, I can honestly say that Portland does deserve its reputation as one of the best biking cities in the country, if not the world. However, the more I start to bike with my 4 year old son, the more I realize that much of the best kid-friendly-biking exists outside the city limits. Sorry Portland, but the network of paved paths within the Tualatin Hills Recreation District rivals anything within Portland proper. Certainly, Vancouver, WA is also providing an impressive array of biking paths for its young bikers and families. Read the rest of this entry »
Topics: Biking | No Comments »
Sunday Parkways - Roads Closed!
By admin | June 23, 2008
What’s to Love: This one is an obvious “no-brainer” - NO CARS!!! Well, there were some cars, but for 6 hours on Sunday, June 22nd in north Portland, a 6 mile loop of normally well-traveled roads was officially closed to vehicular traffic. This was the “Sunday Parkways” event and thousands of bikers, joggers, walkers, and rollerbladers enjoyed the freedom of the open road without having to worry about getting hit by a car. Read the rest of this entry »
Topics: Biking, Hiking | No Comments »
Powell Butte - Mountain Biking
By admin | June 13, 2008
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What’s to Love: I moved to Portland from one of the best mountain biking cities in the country - Durango, Colorado. I used to ride endless single-track right from my doorstep, and I lived just blocks from downtown. I miss the Durango sunshine, but I miss the epic mountain bike rides the most. Within the city limits of Portland, Powell Butte is the best cure for “single track fever.” Read the rest of this entry »
Topics: Biking, Hiking, Parks Playgrounds Pools | 3 Comments »
Memorial Park - Wilsonville
By admin | June 9, 2008
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What’s to Love: I visited this park twice with my son in June, 2008, and I know we’ll be back again soon. I was looking for a park with plenty of open green-space to launch our model rocket (see video below). I noticed that Memorial Park looked like the biggest park in the Wilsonville area, so we headed over to check it out. I don’t think I’ve ever been so shocked by the quality and design of a park. I highly recommend visiting this park! Read the rest of this entry »
Topics: Biking, Fountains, Parks Playgrounds Pools, Wilsonville | No Comments »
Leif Erikson Drive
By admin | May 28, 2008
What’s to Love: How many cities can claim an 11-mile stretch of dirt road closed to motorized vehicles that is located within a protected, urban forest? In that same forest, lies a 30 mile hiking trail called the “Wildwood” that sports a healthy amount of peripheral trails and loop-hikes. Well, if you live in Portland, Oregon, you’re incredibly lucky to have this amazing recreational resource called “Forest Park.” Leif Erikson Drive is the 11 mile stretch of dirt road running through the heart of Forest Park. It’s just a small piece of the Forest Park puzzle, but it definitely warrants its own post on Portland Family Adventures. Read the rest of this entry »
Topics: Biking, Hiking | No Comments »
Tualatin Hills Nature Park
By admin | May 8, 2008
What’s to Love: Tualatin Hills Nature Park (THNP) can seem like Nike’s trail running course - it’s literally in the company’s backyard. I’m a bit leery of a “Nature Park” in the middle of a giant suburb. However, our visit to Tualatin Hills Nature Park was perfect! The weather was fantastic, the trails were immaculate, the biking was fun and just right for a 4 year old without training wheels, and the picnic area was relaxing and quiet. I invite your comments on this wonderful park. Read more… Read the rest of this entry »
Topics: Biking, SW Cities, Wildlife Viewing | No Comments »
George Rogers Park
By admin | May 6, 2008
What’s to Love: George Rogers Park is located on the south side of downtown Lake Oswego. If you live in Portland, it’s worth the drive. This is definitely a “destination park” featuring hiking and biking trails, an easy-to-find Letterbox, an interesting historical past, a decent beach, tennis courts, big baseball field, and some of the nicest picnic benches and grills you’ll find in a park setting. Read the rest of this entry »
Topics: Biking, Hiking, Parks Playgrounds Pools | No Comments »
Terwilliger Bike Path
By admin | April 20, 2008
What’s to Love: The Terwilliger bike path is (Chart House Restaurant toward downtown) a fun downhill ride for kids just getting used to their bikes. The path is totally separated from the road, which adds an element of safety. There are only a couple of uphill (slight) sections - besides that, this ride is all downhill.
Heading south from the Chart House/OHSU toward Capital Highway, Barbur Blvd, Tryon Creek and finally, Lake Osweo, this ride is a semi-epic journey for young bike riders! Besides a small section between Boones Ferry and Capital Highway, you’ll be on a wide, paved path the entire route to Lake Oswego.
Topics: Biking | 2 Comments »
Willamette Park
By admin | April 19, 2008
What’s to Love: Willamette Park sports a healthy variety of activities for the whole family. I found the entire area to be well-kept and clean. Recently, park personnel installed a new play structure, which was badly needed. As you can see in one of the pictures, it has a low-to-the-ground set of monkey bars, which is a nice find in Portland. However, For those of you who like old-school-playground-equipment (e.g., metal slides, teeter-totters, merry-go-rounds, etc.), don’t worry, they kept the old playground equipment down at the south end of the park. The new structure isn’t very big, but it’s adequate.
Topics: Biking, Parks Playgrounds Pools | No Comments »
Springwater Corridor/Eastbank Esplanade
By admin | February 17, 2008
What’s to Love: This is one of the best and most accessible bike paths within a short distance from downtown Portland. The Springwater Corridor trail “…is the major southeast segment of the 40-Mile Loop which was inspired by the 1903 Olmsted plan of a parkway and boulevard loop to connect park sites. The eventual developed trail will be over 21 miles long” (source). If you’re a southeast Portland resident, you’re probably very familiar with biking along this trail. Whether it’s making your way to the Sellwood Bridge, Oaks Amusement Park, OMSI or downtown Portland, this is your ticket to a great family ride.
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Abernethy - Playground
By admin | November 20, 2007
What’s to Love: This is the playground of Abernethy school, which is located in the heart of Ladd’s Addition. This is a very nice, family friendly place in Portland. Although the houses are out of range for most people, the neighborhood has a good, down-to-earth vibe. There are two very nice play structures - one for toddlers and a second for older kids. Both offer some excellent options to improve motor skills, sharpen footwork, and build strong bodies. They are very clean, safe (relatively speaking) and well kept. Read the rest of this entry »
Topics: Biking, Parks Playgrounds Pools | No Comments »