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Orenco Woods Nature Park {Hillsboro, Oregon}

March 15 By Renée 9 Comments

Visitors to Orenco Woods Nature Park can choose from wide variety of activities, including hiking, bicycling, geocaching, picnicking, and enjoying the native wildlife. (Oh, and hangin’ out with giant Twig People. Don’t about forget them.)

Orenco Woods Nature Park {Hillsboro, Oregon} | The Good Hearted Woman

Last weekend was absolutely Bea-u-tiful here in the Pacific Northwest, so Mr B and I decided to go and explore Orenco Woods Nature Park, a new westside neighborhood park that has been getting a lot of local press attention lately. Here’s just one reason for all the buzz…

Woven Willow and Red Twig Dogwood Branch Sculptures - Orenco Woods Nature Park {Hillsboro, Oregon} | The Good Hearted Woman

But I’ll get back to Hungry Twig Guy later. First, let me take you on a tour around the park.

Rock Creek Trail - Orenco Woods Nature Park {Hillsboro, Oregon} | The Good Hearted Woman

Orenco Woods Nature Park is a large neighborhood park located in Hillsboro, Oregon, about 30 minutes west of Portland. The 42-acre park is situated on the site of a former nine-hole golf course, between Orchard Park upstream and Noble Woods Park downstream. Rock Creek flows through the park, and Rock Creek Trail snakes through it.

Rock Creek Trail - Orenco Woods Nature Park {Hillsboro, Oregon} | The Good Hearted Woman

There is a big, open playground near the entrance to the park, with restrooms and drinking fountains for visitors, as well as a large covered picnic area.

This concrete stream channel was one of my favorite features of the playground – it runs downhill alongside one long side of the playground, with strategically placed water pumps set along the “stream bed” that allow kids to feed into the stream with running water during warm weather months, with the water pouring back into Rock Creek after it runs its course. The playground also features sand areas, logs, a large net climber and swings.

Rock Creek Trail - Orenco Woods Nature Park {Hillsboro, Oregon} | The Good Hearted Woman

The “real” Orenco Apple is a high-quality dessert apple that was introduce to the world c.1840 by the Oregon Nursery Company. The apple is prized for its tender, crisp and juicy flesh, and sweet, piquant flavor.

Rock Creek Trail - Orenco Woods Nature Park {Hillsboro, Oregon} | The Good Hearted Woman

“The Orenco Apple”

Malcolm McDonald House {Est. 1910}

The McDonald House, which sets inside Orenco Woods Nature Park near the park entrance, was built by Oregon Nursery Company Co-founder Malcolm McDonald. Mr. McDonald erected the sprawling Craftsman-style home in 1912, and his business then sold smaller lots to its employees, who built their own houses nearby.

Malcolm McDonald House {Est. 1910} - Orenco Woods Nature Park {Hillsboro, Oregon} | The Good Hearted Woman

I had some brief contact with the McDonald house back in the early 2000’s when one of my Girl Scout Troops (I had four) did some volunteer work there. At that time, the house was being used as a shelter and home for young, single mothers. The shelter closed in 2012 when the organization that ran it moved to another location.

Malcolm McDonald House {Est. 1910} - Orenco Woods Nature Park {Hillsboro, Oregon} | The Good Hearted Woman

Despite the fences, I was glad to see that Hillsboro is taking steps to restore it to its former glory. Planners have proposed exhibiting Orenco’s history in the house and renting it out for private events such as weddings.

Malcolm McDonald House {Est. 1910} - Orenco Woods Nature Park {Hillsboro, Oregon} | The Good Hearted Woman

In 2015, the McDonald House was added to the National Register of Historic Places.

Malcolm McDonald House {Est. 1910} - Orenco Woods Nature Park {Hillsboro, Oregon} | The Good Hearted Woman

Walking the Rock Creek Nature Trail

A segment of the paved, ADA-accessible Rock Creek Trail runs through the park, connecting to Orchard Park and to the Rock Creek Trailhead at Rock Creek Boulevard just north of Highway 26.  You can also walk the much shorter loop around the Orenco Woods Nature Park using the park’s graveled Habitat Trail. Bicycles and on-leash dogs are allowed on the paved trails, but not on the habitat trails [wood chip and gravel].

Arched Bridge - Orenco Woods Nature Park {Hillsboro, Oregon} | The Good Hearted Woman

Arched Bridge - Orenco Woods Nature Park {Hillsboro, Oregon} | The Good Hearted Woman

Arched Bridge - Orenco Woods Nature Park {Hillsboro, Oregon} | The Good Hearted Woman

This is one of my favorite pictures of the day. The little two boys on the bridge were doing their darnest to beat their Dad racing across the bridge, and all three were having so much fun!

Arched Bridge - Orenco Woods Nature Park {Hillsboro, Oregon} | The Good Hearted Woman

Arched Bridge - Orenco Woods Nature Park {Hillsboro, Oregon} | The Good Hearted Woman

At certain times of day, the bridge cast some pretty interesting shadows.

Rock Creek Trail - Orenco Woods Nature Park {Hillsboro, Oregon} | The Good Hearted Woman

Orenco Woods Nature Park offers visitors a variety of experiences: rolling hills, open meadows, riparian habitat, and forested areas that are home to a variety of birds and wildlife.

Rock Creek Trail - Orenco Woods Nature Park {Hillsboro, Oregon} | The Good Hearted Woman

As we walked through the park, Mr B reminisced about the times he had golfed there in years past. “That course was always so wet. I remember that there was a par-three hole where you teed off from a box uphill to a mounded green below. When it was rainy, the green would be entirely surrounded by water.” No wonder the golf course didn’t last too long!

Rock Creek Trail - Orenco Woods Nature Park {Hillsboro, Oregon} | The Good Hearted Woman

Rock Creek Trail - Orenco Woods Nature Park {Hillsboro, Oregon} | The Good Hearted Woman

Now that we’ve made it around the park, let’s circle back to that giant face made out of twigs…

Woven Willow and Red Twig Dogwood Branch Sculptures

This guy is just one of seven 18-foot tall faces that guard a line of old growth Doug firs along the stretch of main path that runs from the park entrance to the large arched bridge.

Woven Willow and Red Twig Dogwood Branch Sculptures - Orenco Woods Nature Park {Hillsboro, Oregon} | The Good Hearted Woman

Created by artist Patrick Dougherty (along with a battalion of volunteers), the interactive art installation is constructed entirely from locally obtained twigs and branches.

Woven Willow and Red Twig Dogwood Branch Sculptures - Orenco Woods Nature Park {Hillsboro, Oregon} | The Good Hearted Woman

The piece was initially inspired by masks and totems of Northwest indigenous peoples; however, inspirations changed along the way. Says Dougherty, “they morphed during the building process into caricatures of human surprise. The arrangement of elements corrals the trees and creates among them a room of ancient tree trunks, thick and luxurious. Perhaps this invitation to rub shoulders with the craggy bark of such oldsters is the best part of the work.  At the last minute, a hint of the heads of Easter Island statuary emerged as we fitted each head with a suitable hat.”

Woven Willow and Red Twig Dogwood Branch Sculptures - Orenco Woods Nature Park {Hillsboro, Oregon} | The Good Hearted Woman

Woven Willow and Red Twig Dogwood Branch Sculptures - Orenco Woods Nature Park {Hillsboro, Oregon} | The Good Hearted Woman

More than 150 volunteers contributed over 1000 hours to create this monumental, interactive sculpture. [Click here to watch the Stickwork Project Time Lapse Video on YouTube.]

Woven Willow and Red Twig Dogwood Branch Sculptures - Orenco Woods Nature Park {Hillsboro, Oregon} | The Good Hearted Woman

In addition to hiking the Rock Creek Trail and hanging out with giant Twig People, visitors can choose from wide variety of activities at the park, including hiking, bicycling, geocaching, and picnicking. Or kick back and enjoy the native wildlife: great blue heron, beavers, red-tail hawks, black-tailed deer, and more all make their homes along Rock Creek and in the adjacent wetlands.

Visitor Information

Orenco Woods Nature Park
7100 NE Birch Street
Hillsboro, Oregon

Orenco Woods Field Guide [Oregon Metro]

  • Orenco Woods Nature Park is open from sunrise to sunset seven days a week.
  • The park has restrooms and a large picnic area, as well as a number of smaller, more informal gathering spots.
  • Significant portions of the park are wheelchair accessible, including the Rock Creek Trail.
  • Pets are allowed on the Rock Creek Trail portions of the park, but must be on-leash at all times and are not allowed anywhere else at the park.
  • Don’t bring drones, model planes, model boats and other remote-controlled vehicles – they are not allowed. (Neither is hunting, but do I really need to tell you not to hunt in a park filled with dogs and people?) However, you are welcome to do all the geocaching your little heart desires!

Please leave a comment below! ? What unique parks are in your neighborhood?

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Filed Under: Oregon, Pacific Northwest Tagged With: Oregon

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About Renée

Renée is writer, music maker, artist, and storyteller. In her spare time, you can find her writing love songs about cowboys, exploring the moss-covered nooks and crannies of the Pacific Northwest, and making music with her talented singer-husband.

Comments

  1. blankPatricia-Ann Que says

    March 15 at

    what a cool place to visit! i can easily spot a lot of location that would be great for photoshoots! how i wish i can easily visit!

    Reply
  2. blankErin @ Platings and Pairngs says

    March 15 at

    The McDonald House looks like a really beautiful place. I’d love to see it restored!

    Reply
  3. blankDee at My Dee Dees Diary says

    March 15 at

    The hairy twig guy is so cool. I would love to visit this place some day

    Reply
  4. blankBobbi Hass-Burleson says

    March 15 at

    Looks like a brand new park, My kids would love to go there someday, Its so nice to see the mcdonald house that is fully maintained.

    Reply
  5. blankShannon E says

    March 15 at

    So cool!! I’m an outdoors person so this place is right up my alley. I’m making my 1st trip to Oregon this year, hopefully I’ll be able to make ti to this nature park!

    Reply
  6. blankAnnreeba says

    March 15 at

    I love those twig people. Those are so cute and the park looks great.

    Reply
  7. blankSarah Bailey says

    March 16 at

    Oh wow what an amazing looking place this is to explore! I am loving the different things they have to spot as you wander around.

    Reply
  8. blankemman damian says

    March 16 at

    Orenco Woods Nature Park seems like a nice place to visit. I should bring my niece and nephew when we travel soon to US.

    Reply
  9. blankPauline Stephens says

    March 16 at

    I can just picture myself on my bike exploring the trails and this entire area. I enjoy the outdoors!

    Reply

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