ALLEGANY, Oregon— Join park rangers for the Golden and Silver Falls State Natural Area fall clean-up event 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 28.
Volunteers will help clean up the parking area and conduct trail work at the park, which is about 25 miles northeast of Coos Bay. There will be something for everyone to help with. Lend a hand and help get the park ready for winter. Please sign up at https://form.jotform.com/240576122083047.
Participants should be prepared to travel a short distance on uneven ground and trails to the service site. Service will take place outdoors, and volunteers should be comfortable wearing work gloves and using hand tools.
Dress for the weather. Closed-toed shoes are recommended. Wear something you don’t mind getting dirty. Remember to bring a water bottle, sack lunch and work gloves if you have them (some will be provided if not). Snacks will be provided.
If you have questions about the event, email ranger Jess at jess.hayward@oprd.oregon.gov.
If you need to contact staff on the day of the event, please call park ranger Jake Caldwell, 541-294-0644 or Jess Hayward, 541-888-3732.
CLATSOP COUNTY, Oregon— Saddle Mountain State Natural Area near Seaside will close Oct. 14-18 for a hazard tree removal and tree thinning project to support public safety and forest health.
The work will take place throughout the park, including along the main roadway, prompting a park closure to maintain public safety. Both the Grindy Creek (lower) and Lewis & Clark (upper) gates on Saddle Mountain Road will be locked.
Oregon Parks and Recreation Department (OPRD) rangers and instructors will perform the work as part of an OPRD training for rangers who want to expand their skills.
The park might reopen as early as Friday, Oct. 18. Please check the park webpage for updates. We thank visitors for their patience as we work to train our rangers and improve forest health at Saddle Mountain State Natural Area.
SALEM, Oregon— Oregon Parks and Recreation Department (OPRD) is asking visitors to help slow the spread of the destructive emerald ash borer by choosing certified heat-treated firewood or firewood harvested within 10 miles of their destination to avoid bringing the invasive insect into state parks.
OPRD also asks visitors to leave any ash, olive and white fringe tree firewood and materials at home.
The invasive emerald ash borer is considered the most destructive forest pest in North America, killing hundreds of millions of ash trees across the country. It has been detected in four Oregon counties: Washington, Yamhill, Marion and Clackamas, prompting a permanent quarantine in those counties.
“So far, emerald ash borer has not been detected in Oregon State Parks, and we would like to keep it that way for as long as possible,” said OPRD’s Natural Resource Coordinator and Ecologist Noel Bacheller.
The invasive insect can only travel about 10 miles on its own during its brief adult life, but humans can spread it hundreds of miles through infested firewood and other tree materials. Once an ash tree is infested, it has little chance of survival even if it’s otherwise healthy. The insect’s larvae consume the inner bark, causing ash trees to decline and eventually die.
The emerald ash borer threatens to wipe out Oregon's ash tree population as it has in other states around the country. But visitors can help slow the spread to protect Oregon’s ash trees and forests for as long as possible.
Slowing the spread will give parks and landowners the chance to respond including underplanting with resistant tree species that can quickly fill in when ash trees decline. It will also soften the impact of the insect on forest health overall.
Help protect Oregon's trees and forests by following these firewood tips:
- Buy firewood local to your campsite: Choose firewood harvested within 10 miles of your destination or buy certified heat-treated firewood. This helps reduce the spread of invasive insects, including emerald ash borer, and diseases.
- Avoid transporting restricted wood: Do not bring ash, olive, or white fringe tree materials into any Oregon State Park even if it’s within the same quarantine area. When in doubt about the tree species, leave it out.
- Stay informed about quarantines and regulations: Learn more at Oregon Department of Agriculture’s website, including proper disposal of ash tree material, and insect and tree identification at the Oregon Invasive Species Council website.
Ash trees grow in riparian areas along rivers, streams and other low-elevation bodies of water in Western Oregon. The loss of ash trees could have a significant impact on riparian ecology including loss of shade, increased water temperatures and decline in fish health.
Learn more about ash trees and the emerald ash borer on our website, including emerald ash borer activity pages with lessons for all ages that show how to recognize and prevent the spread of this invasive insect.
MILTON-FREEWATER, Ore. – The J.L. Elam Bank is among Oregon’s latest entries in the National Register of Historic Places. Oregon’s State Advisory Committee on Historic Preservation (SACHP) recommended the nomination at their June 2024 meeting for its significance as one of the few examples of Classical Revival architecture in Milton-Freewater. The National Park Service, which maintains the National Register of Historic Places, accepted this nomination in August 2024.
Constructed in 1906, expanded in 1908, and remodeled with a new façade in 1920, the J.L. Elam Bank is located amongst other commercial buildings on Main Street in downtown Milton-Freewater. The one-story, rectangular building has painted, smooth concrete block walls and displays many character-defining features of the Classical Revival style, including a flat roof with decorative balustrade on the parapet, flat arch lintels above windows and doors, symmetrical entrance with columns, smooth exterior walls, and an entablature. The building is one of the few and most notable examples of the Classical Revival commercial style in Milton-Freewater, and it reflects the evolution of the Classical Revival style in rural communities.
The J.L. Elam Bank was originally constructed to house the Freewater Branch of the Walla Walla-based Elam Bank. At the time of its opening, it was the first and only bank in the town of Freewater, and it had been much anticipated by Freewater residents; however, it closed after only two years in operation. The property has had many other commercial occupants over its 118 years, including law offices, doctor offices, post office, a second bank, an insurance agency, a restaurant, and presently a winery tasting room.
The National Register is maintained by the National Park Service under the authority of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966. Properties listed in the National Register are:
- Recognized as significant to the nation, state, or community;
- Considered in the planning of federal or federally-assisted projects;
- Eligible for federal and state tax benefits;
- Qualify for historic preservation grants when funds are available;
- Eligible for leniency in meeting certain building code requirements;
- Subject to local laws pertaining to the conservation and protection of historic resources.
State law in Oregon requires local governments to offer a minimal level of protection for properties listed in the National Register of Historic Places; the decisions about how to accomplish that goal reside with local governments, which also have the authority to create and regulate local historic districts and landmarks.
More information about the National Register and recent Oregon listings are online at oregonheritage.org (under the heading “Designate”).
The City of Baker City has received a grant through the federal Historic Preservation Fund, administered by Oregon State Historic Preservation Office to fund the following local preservation project.
Baker County
City of Baker
1833 Main Street
$8,000 grant funds
Install four replica replacement windows on the rear elevation.
This notice serves to make the public aware of the projects and solicit comments pursuant to Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act and the National Environmental Policy Act. The comment period is open for 30 days from the date of this announcement. To provide comments or learn more information about this project visit the federal grant public comment section of our website or contact Kuri Gill at Kuri.Gill@oprd.oregon.gov or 503-986-0685.
The National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 authorizes a program of federal matching grants, known as the Historic Preservation Fund, to assist the various states in carrying out historic preservation activities. The Program is sponsored by the U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service, and in Oregon, is administered through the Oregon State Historic Preservation Office. For information about the grants contact Kuri Gill at 503-986-0685 or by e-mail: Kuri.Gill@oprd.oregon.gov.
NEWPORT, Oregon — The Oregon State Parks and Recreation Commission will convene Sept. 17 and 18 in Newport to discuss the budget, real estate, recommendations for grant awards, park improvement projects and proposed increases in rate ranges to keep pace with increasing costs.
On Sept. 17, commissioners will tour ocean shore locations and hold a work session on drones, ocean shore policy, a review of construction impacts on the ocean shore and the state of the ocean shore past, present and future from 1 to 5 p.m. at the Hallmark Resort, 744 SW Elizabeth Street, Newport.
On Sept. 18, commissioners will convene an executive session at 8:15 a.m., at the Hallmark Resort in Newport, to discuss real estate acquisition priorities and opportunities and potential litigation. Executive sessions are closed to the public. A business meeting will begin at 9:30 a.m. and will be open to the public.
Anyone may attend or listen to the business meeting; instructions on how to listen will be posted on the commission web page prior to the meeting. The business meeting includes time for informal public comment related to any items not on the agenda. Registration is required to speak at the meeting if attending online, and is available online at bit.ly/registerseptember2024commission.
The deadline to register to speak at the meeting virtually is 5 p.m., Monday, Sept. 16. No advance registration is required to speak in person at the meeting. Time per speaker is limited to three minutes. Please submit written public comments by 5 p.m. Sept. 16 to katie.gauthier@oprd.oregon.gov.
The full agenda and supporting documents are posted on the commission web page.
Notable requests:
- Approval of the recommended grant awards for 2024 Local Government Grant Program:
- Small grants totaling $884,226
- Large grants totaling $31,733,800
- Planning grants totaling $301,990
- Approval of rate range increases for campsites, amenities, day-use parking fees and group sites to keep pace with increasing costs. The rate ranges will give the director the flexibility to increase rates over time as needed. Rates will not start at the top of the range. More information is available on the OPRD website.
Anyone needing special accommodations to attend the meeting should contact Denise Warburton, commission assistant, at least three days in advance: denise.warburton@oprd.oregon.gov or 503-779-9729.
The Oregon State Parks and Recreation Commission promotes outdoor recreation and heritage by establishing policies, adopting rules and setting the budget for the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department. The seven members are appointed by the Governor and confirmed by the Oregon Senate. They serve four-year terms and meet several times a year at locations across the state.
SALEM, Oregon—Oregon Parks and Recreation Department (OPRD) is seeking public comment on a proposed rule change that would add Brookings to the list of cities where overnight camping is prohibited along the ocean shore within city limits.
The proposed rule change was requested through a petition from residents living near Mill Beach in Brookings. They identified concerns over public health, risks to public safety and impacts on the marine ecosystem along the ocean shore as reasons for proposing the closure of camping on the ocean shore within city limits.
Currently, overnight camping is prohibited on the ocean shore within the city limits of Seaside, Cannon Beach, Manzanita, Rockaway Beach, Lincoln City, Newport, Bandon and Gold Beach. Camping is also prohibited on the ocean shore in Clatsop and Tillamook counties, under different rules within OPRD's division 30, which are Special Regulations Affecting Ocean Shores Adjacent to Coastal Cities within Oregon Revised Statutes.
that include special regulations affecting ocean shores adjacent to coastal cities. Oregon Secretary of State Administrative Rules
Public comments on the proposed rule change will be accepted through 5 p.m. October 15, 2024, and can be submitted:
- Online: https://www.oregon.gov/oprd/PRP/Pages/PRP-Rule-2024-BrookingsOceanShores.aspx
- Mail: OPRD Department, attn: Katie Gauthier, 725 Summer St NE, Suite C, Salem OR 97301
- Email: OPRD.Publiccomment@oprd.oregon.gov
- Public Hearing: 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 9 at Southwestern Oregon Community College- Community Room, 96082 Lone Ranch Parkway, Brookings, OR 97415
Once the public comment period ends, Oregon State Parks and Recreation Commission will consider possible adoption at a meeting in the fall or winter.
SALEM, Oregon— The Recreational Trails Program is accepting grant applications through Nov. 15 for the approximately $1.6 million in grant funds available for the 2024 grant cycle.
Grants are available for trail construction, heavy restoration, trailhead facilities, trail building and maintenance equipment, land or easement acquisitions, safety and education, trail assessments for accessibility or maintenance and water trails.
The federally funded reimbursement grant program provides matching grants to construct, expand or improve public trails for motorized and non-motorized use. Interested applicants must submit a letter of intent via https://oprdgrants.org by Sep. 30. Applications due Nov. 15.
An optional webinar is scheduled 10 a.m. to noon Wednesday, Sept. 11 to provide information on the program and how to navigate the application process. Registration is required: https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_YcBVw4OpQseoi6GZQgYffg#/registration. A recording of the webinar will be posted on the Recreational Trails Program web page shortly afterward at https://www.oregon.gov/oprd/GRA/Pages/GRA-rtp.aspx
The grant program is open to local governments, park districts, state and federal agencies, tribal governments, other public land managers, and nonprofits.
The Recreational Trails Program is funded through the Federal Highway Administration and administered by the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department (OPRD). Since 1993, the program has funded over 550 projects across Oregon.
Information about the program, including the grant manual, application instructions and program schedule, is on the Recreational Trails Program web page: https://www.oregon.gov/oprd/GRA/Pages/GRA-rtp.aspx
Questions can be directed to Jodi Bellefeuille, Recreational Trails Program coordinator, at jodi.bellefeuille@oprd.oregon.gov or 503-856-6316.
Portland, Oregon – The Portland Saturday Market enters its 51st year with an Oregon Heritage Tradition designation by the Oregon Heritage Commission.
The Portland Saturday Market is the 28th event in Oregon to be designed an Oregon Heritage Tradition. Other Oregon Heritage Traditions include the Great Oregon Steam-up in Brooks, Oregon State Fair, Medford’s Pear Blossom Festival, the Pendleton Round-Up, and the Woodburn Fiesta Mexicana.
“The designation recognizes those traditions that have been ongoing for 50 years or more and that add to the livability and identity of the state and has a public profile that distinguishes it from other events,” said Katie Henry, Oregon Heritage Commission Coordinator.
The event began in 1974 by artists Sheri Teasdale and Andrea Scharf. Their goal was to have an open air market in downtown Portland for creative makers to sell craft items and food that were all handmade and allow visitors and customers to meet and talk with the makers of the items they were purchasing. The market is run by its members as a mutual benefit corporation that is a nonprofit. The Market’s first location was in a parking lot offered by Bill Natio next to his business and in 1976 it moved to under the Burnside Bridge and then in 2006 found its permanent home in Waterfront Park.
The market has had over 400 members, generating an estimated $12 million in gross sales annually and attracting over 750,000 visitors annually. It serves as a central economic engine for the Old Town Chinatown neighborhood of Portland.
“The Portland Saturday Market Heritage Tradition designation means that not only have we as an organization left a lasting impression on the greater Portland community, but we will continue to do so for generations to come, placing a level of importance on the collective artistic growth of emerging and accomplished artisans and reflecting our mission of craftsmanship, innovation, and authenticity.” Said Camryn Dietrich, Member Services Coordinator for the Portland Saturday Market.
Commissioner Libby Provost of the Oregon Heritage Commission will be presenting the Heritage Tradition Designation to the Portland Saturday Market on Aug. 24 at 12:30 p.m. in a brief intermission between musical performances during regular Saturday Market events.
An Oregon Heritage Tradition must have been in continuous operation for more than 50 years, demonstrate a public profile and reputation that distinguishes it from more routine events, and add to the livability and identity of the state. The application process along with a list of designated Traditions is available at https://www.oregon.gov/oprd/OH/pages/heritage-designations.aspx.
The Oregon Heritage Commission coordinates efforts to solve statewide heritage issues through grants, education, and advocacy, and also promotes heritage tourism efforts. Learn more about the Commission and its efforts by visiting www.oregonheritage.org.
SALEM, Oregon— Several Oregon State Parks will close or partially close starting in September for construction work that includes everything from replacing aging infrastructure to adding bathrooms and showers.
Some of the work was funded by GO Bonds, Oregon-issued general obligation bonds approved by the Oregon State Legislature in 2021. The $50 million investment will help revitalize eight state parks and campgrounds with nine total projects.
“We thank visitors for their patience and continued support as we work to repair aging infrastructure and improve facilities at several state parks. We’re grateful for the Legislature’s investment in GO Bonds. This commitment to our state park system will benefit future visitors and the economy,” said Director Lisa Sumption.
Visit the Go Bond website for a complete list of the projects through 2026.
Construction closures and partial closures including some GO Bond work staring in 2024 (dates subject to change):
- Sept. 16, 2024: Milo McIver is scheduled to close its campground through March 2025 to refurbish a restroom building and do some repaving. The campground, group camps and hiker/biker area will be closed. The day-use areas will remain open.
- Sept. 16, 2024: Silver Falls State Park is scheduled to close its campground (except cabins 1-10) through June 30, 2025 to allow crews to replace the B-Loop restroom and repave A Loop. During the closure, all other park facilities will remain open, including all trails, trailheads, day-use areas and South Falls Lodge. Next year work will begin on adding a new campground and visitor center as part of the GO Bond work at the park.
- Sept. 16, 2024: Bullards Beach is scheduled to close its campground (except the horse camp) through March 17, 2025 for upgrades to the main sewer line and lift station to accommodate increased demand and reduce service disruptions. All campsites, overnight restroom facilities, yurts, meeting hall and dump station will be closed. The day-use area will remain open with limited disruptions.
- Nov. 1, 2024: Nehalem Bay State Park is scheduled to close the entire park including the campground and day-use areas through June 30, 2025 to install new water and electrical lines, add restroom and shower buildings, renovate nine campsites to improve accessibility and repave and add traffic calming improvements to the park entry road.
- Late fall/early winter 2024: Fort Stevens is scheduled to close campground loops L, M, N, O and C as well as cabins and yurts and the South Lake restroom through 2025 for wastewater upgrades, electrical upgrades, paving work, water system upgrades and a new restroom building. All other campsites and day-use areas will remain open. The historic Guardhouse will be a part of the work and include roof restoration, exterior cleaning and repair and upgrades to basic utilities.
Several parks have scheduled closures or partial closures starting in 2025 for construction including the campground at Clyde Holliday; the campground at Collier and the campground and day-use area at Cape Lookout.
Visit individual park webpages for more information as the construction projects get closer to their start dates. Learn more about the GO Bond projects on our website.