Midway between Pendleton and Baker City, in the Grande Ronde Valley, the town of La Grande is nestled between the majestic Blue and Wallowa Mountain ranges. It’s well worth a stop as this college town that hosts a vibrant food, art, and outdoors scene. As well as being home to an amazing natural area with something for all types of recreationists and nature lovers.

Plan a visit to the Mount Emily Recreation Area (MERA) which offers 3,669 acres of outstanding forest recreation, just two miles from downtown La Grande, and there is so much to offer, you may want to stay longer.

MERA is open all year for hiking, trail running, mountain biking, and equestrian use. Wildflowers are typically in full bloom from April to June. Deer, elk, black bears, and many species of birds and other wildlife inhabit MERA year-round. You may even spot cattle grazing peacefully on the land. (Continued...)                                  

Clackamas County Parks, Oregon Parks Forever and the Kids in Parks program invite local children, families, and community members to celebrate the grand opening of TRACK Trails in Metzler Park and Eagle Fern Park. The partners will host a ribbon cutting ceremony on Wednesday, July 12 at 10 a.m. at the Metzler Park trailhead, behind the ranger station at 24526 S. Metzler Park Road in Estacada.

TRACK Trails are a type of environmental treasure hunt for young children and their families to get unplugged and active outdoors, offering a series of self-guided activities that turn an ordinary hike into a fun-filled, discovery-packed adventure. Each trail will have four brochures available that help kids learn about topics such as birds, trees, flowers, ferns and animal tracks. The trails also provide families with multiple opportunities to learn about the natural, cultural and historical resources at each site. (Continued...)

On that long, road trip across eastern Oregon, with the family, quiet that chorus of, “Are we there yet?” with a visit to the Mount Emily Recreation Area in La Grande, where Oregon Parks Forever has just installed a TRACK Trail, at the Red Apple Trail, in the Mount Emily Recreation Area (MERA) in La Grande.

People have become increasingly disengaged with nature, spending more time indoors interacting with electronic media, while spending less time outdoors being active in nature. These societal lifestyle changes have had, and are having, devastating impacts on the overall physical and mental health of kids, families, and communities.

The Kids in Parks TRACK Trails program was created to help reverse these trends by getting families together “unplugged” and physically active in parks through a network of TRACK Trails. By partnering with parks and recreation agencies across the country, TRACK Trails converts a preexisting trail into a TRACK Trail with self-guided materials that turn an ordinary hike into a fun-filled, discover-packed adventure. (Continued...)

We are pleased to announce that the newest Hiker-Biker Campsite is ready for your next two-wheel adventure. The ninth Hiker/Biker campsite was completed at Beverly Beach this month.

We think you will enjoy Kellie's first hand account using the Hiker/Biker pods on Oregon's Coast Trail which was published in the Trek newsletter. Be sure to read her "Do's and Don'ts."

David's Chair and Oregon Parks Forever has added another location for one of the electric all-terrain action Track chairs to be used for free. PC Pour in Pacific City will be the new home and the fourth location where a track chair will be permanently stationed along the beautiful Oregon Coast. CEO and Founder Steve Furst said, ”PC Pour is the perfect location with easy beach access and wonderful community support. 

If you want to test drive a chair, come try out one at at the Pacific City Oregon Excursion, July 14th and 15th, @ 10:00 am - 4:00 pm. Learn more about the event and the TrackChair program here.

Visitors to 17 Oregon State Park campgrounds along the coast are now able to make campsite reservations the same day. The pilot program is an effort to streamline reservations and allows for more flexibility when visiting the coast. (Continued)

I read an article in "The Other Oregon" Summer 2023 issue that I would like to commend to all of our readers to take some time to read and consider:  "Finding the middle ground."

As an urban dweller who works with people all over the state, I find the lack of understanding by the extremes in both rural and urban communities frustrating. I have met many people who reside in the middle of these positions who are good, intelligent and thoughtful people. There are good points on both sides of this discussion, if we all just take time to slow down and listen.

Together, we can help to bridge this gap.

Seth Miller

Join Oregon Parks Forever's membership, and you will be doing good by supporting our work to improve experiences in Oregon's parks and forests. From Track Chairs improving accessibility to Hiker/Biker campsites, and much more, you will be part of a vibrant community of fellow outdoor enthusiasts who share their love for all things green. Receive complimentary gifts at the levels below and special members' pricing on most items in our store, a subscription to a print magazine, 1859, and all electronic publications.

In this 3-minute video you can learn more our current projects.