16 September 2023

Welcome to the first of a series of articles about green spaces around campus, a great spot

to get ideas for your next outdoor outing — from someone who doesn’t hike. Today we’ll be

starting in, of course, the Reed College Canyon. Located at the heart of Reed’s campus, running

below the Bouncy and Blue bridges, this 28-acre watershed has been a state wildlife refuge since

1913. The Canyon has been through a lot with the college, at one time even boasting a

swimming pool. However, since 1999 the college has made serious efforts to restore the Canyon

to a natural state, and protect the space as a habitat for many different species. Current biology

classes use the Canyon during labs, studying the careful ecological balance that restoration

efforts have tried to maintain. In the spring there is even an event called “Canyon Day,” where

Reedies and community members come together to show the Canyon extra love by removing

invasive plants, planting native species, and more.

While Canyon Day is a great annual event, students at Reed can enjoy the Canyon

year-round simply by walking along the many paths that snake through it. There are a few routes

that can be taken through the Canyon as a substitute for using the bridges, making getting into

the Canyon as easy as taking a new route home from class. Simply follow the edge and you’ll

find a path shortly; there’s one right behind Vollum, towards Eliot. In addition, there is a main

long path that does a loop around the Canyon, which is a great long walk, dotted with many

places to sit, including a chess board beneath the Blue Bridge. There is even a little island to

find, the perfect spot for a picnic or a quiet chat. The Canyon is a great place for an afternoon

walk, a place to sit with a good book, or your favorite student publication, as well as being a nice

space for spending time with fellow students, away from the noise of campus above. It is also

used a lot by the local community, so watch out for joggers and preschool classes!

While the Canyon is a beautiful natural space, it requires our help to keep it that way. So

please, when visiting the Canyon exercise care with the natural environment, including staying

away from wildlife and leaving no trace. If you would like to learn more about the Canyon, there

is a large section about it on the Reed College website. There are also a couple of Instagram

accounts devoted to the Canyon, @reedcanyon and @reedcanyonlove, which you can follow for more information on the Canyon, and pictures of this spectacular natural space we Reedies have

the great honor to access. So, go out and touch grass in the Reed College Canyon!

24 September 2023

Located just off Reed’s campus, the Crystal Springs Rhododendron Garden was founded

in 1950 by the Portland chapter of the American Rhododendron Society. Per the Garden’s

website, the location was actually, “referred to as Shakespeare Island by students at Reed

because of the plays performed there.” A 9.5 acre garden, it boasts over 2,500 plants, giving a

special look into many varieties that are otherwise not represented in Portland. The Garden is

named for Crystal Springs Lake, which surrounds much of it and provides space for many

interesting bridges. Admission to the Garden is free with a Reed ID, however for anyone else the

price is $5, except on Mondays when it is free for all. The Garden is open 10am-3:30pm most

days of the week, but opens late at 1pm on Wednesdays.

The parking lot is often full, with the space being a beloved natural escape in the city, and

a popular wedding venue. So, as Reed students it's best to go during the week, because there will

be crowds and possibly areas closed off for events over the weekend, though it is also more quiet

on rainy days. The Garden is also ADA compliant, with the main paths being wheelchair

accessible, and there are many benches dotted around to rest and take in the scenery. The

Rhododendron Garden is well-known to many Reed students, with its proximity to campus and

free admission, but should be known to all. In contrast to the Canyon, the Garden is not an

attempt at re-wilding, but rather a carefully planned out space boasting many different types of

plants. It is beautiful year-round, with green plants and soon Fall colors now, but it really shines

in spring and into summer, when its namesake rhododendrons are in bloom, filling the Garden

with color.

Getting to the Garden from Campus is very easy, as its parking lot is directly across the

street from the West Parking lot, outside the PAB. Once there, Reed students can walk in by just

showing their Reed ID, and then follow the paths snaking through the Garden, get lost in the

scenery, or find a spot to do homework. The Garden also contains over 90 species of birds, as

well as plenty of other wildlife, so while great to look at it is important not to disturb or feed the

animals, and always take trash out of the Garden. To learn more about the Garden, their website

is www.crystalspringsgardenpdx.org, and their on instagram @csrgpdx. So, go out and touch

grass in the Crystal Springs Rhododendron Garden!

30 September 2023

Founded in 1963, the Portland Japanese Garden is renowned for its complex network of

paths and plants, ensconced within Washington Park. The Garden was founded after World War

II to be a place of healing and peace, despite resistance efforts, and now brings in over 350,000

guests annually, a number that increases every year. ADA-compliant, the Garden has worked to

be able to bring the tranquility and beauty of nature and design to many people, even providing a

complimentary shuttle up the hill from the parking lot to the main garden, for those unable to do

the walk. The space not only has stunning views and outdoor areas, but also a gift shop one can

get lost in, two spaces for rotating art exhibits, a tea house, and a café serving tea and small

dishes, where a reservation is recommended and well worth it. The Japanese Garden itself is the

main event however, with it actually being segmented into five different gardens: the strolling

pond garden, tea garden, natural garden, sand and stone garden, and the flat garden. Each of

these spaces flows seamlessly into the next, creating a meditative experience.

The Portland Japanese Garden is a masterwork of planning, with intentional choices at

every corner, including a focus on being true to its Japanese inspiration. Per the Garden’s

website, when the former Ambassador of Japan to the United States Nobuo Matsunaga visited

the Garden, he said it was, “the most beautiful and authentic Japanese garden in the world

outside of Japan.” Care and attention to detail are present throughout the Garden but shine in a

section dedicated to Bonsai trees, where they showcase spectacular works of precision, including

some hundreds of years old. The Garden is a top destination in Portland so is often busy, but the

calm atmosphere and twelve-acre space disperse the energy of the crowds well. Each season

brings a different face to the Garden, a fact highlighted on its website and with books and other

merchandise in the gift shop, but Fall especially is known to bring a fantastic color to the space.

Tickets to the Garden are $17.95 with student ID, however, people can access the gardens

for free with a library membership in Multnomah, Washington, and Clackamas counties, though

numbers are limited and it can be difficult.

 The Garden is open Wednesday to Monday 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., closed on Tuesdays. Public transport from Reed to the Gardens is not convenient, so driving is the best way to reach them, with a twenty-minute drive, and paid parking. For public transit, there are a few different buses that can be taken, each requiring around a ten-minute walk on either end and a transfer, bringing the total travel time to over one hour. While it is not as easily accessible as the Canyon or Rhododendron Garden, the Japanese Garden is well worth a trip, if the opportunity arises, and can be a great way to escape the bubble of Reed and explore another area of Portland, along with experiencing some local history in the garden’s complex Founding.

To learn more about the Garden, they have a detailed website at japanesegarden.org, as

well as following them on Youtube @PortlandJapaneseGardenOfficial, and Instagram

@portlandjapanesegarden. So, go out and touch the grass in the Portland Japanese Garden!

7 October 2023

Located a short walk east along Steele Street, Woodstock Park provides the perfect

escape for an afternoon, with tall shady trees and plenty of places to sit for a chat or a meal. The

park boasts a playground, restrooms, a horseshoe pit, picnic tables, some public art, a dog off-

leash area, a soccer field, and a softball field, according to the Portland government website on

parks. Situated next to a local elementary school, the park does have a large playground, but

there are plenty of areas to be enjoyed by older people as well, including a large section of picnic

tables and multiple sports fields that can be reserved for use by calling (503)-823-2525, and

some smaller tables and art designed for sitting interspersed throughout the park. There is also a

large area devoted to a dog park, so it is a great place to go on a walk with a four-legged friend.

The 14-acre park was acquired by the city in 1921 and is a perfect example of a classic

neighborhood park. There are facilities, and its beauty comes from its simplicity, with many

opportunities for activity partnered with sloping green hills and large trees, some of which are

beginning to show brilliant autumn colors, and many of which are imposing evergreens that will

stay stunning year-round. The park is open from 5am to 10pm daily, and as a public park entry is

completely free.

The park is a great place to just hang out, but could also be used to read a book under a

tree, host a party, have a picnic, or go for a nice stroll, and with its proximity to campus, it is

easy to take advantage of what it offers. In contrast to the gardens this column has previously

examined, Woodstock Park is a departure into more mundane territory, but that is not a bad

thing. On the contrary, the unstructured nature of a park allows for the visitor to do whatever

they’d like, and spend their time relaxing in nature. To learn more about the park, like the

specific accessibility it offers and more information on reserving spaces within it, go to the

park’s page on Portland.gov. So, go out and touch grass in Woodstock Park!

16 October 2023

Within the sprawling complex of Washington Park there are many attractions, such as the

Japanese Garden covered in an earlier edition of this column, the Oregon Zoo, and Hoyt

Arboretum. According to its website, the arboretum was founded in 1928, and exists today as a

190 acre tree museum, functioning to “conserve endangered species and educate the

community.” Containing “2,300 species of trees and shrubs from six continents,” the arboretum

is a vast display of botany, with 12 miles of hiking trails. Originally a forest of Douglas-fir,

Western redcedar, Western hemlock, bigleaf maple, and red alder, it took many years for the

arboretum to come into its current vision, with many attempts made to diminish this natural

space, including plans for homes and a golf course in the 1920s, before it was designated for its

current purpose.

The many trails of Hoyt Arboretum are well marked and intersect in a few places, with

signposts around – important as there is spotty cell service in much of the park. Trails are well-

maintained and very well utilized, even with some space for events. Mostly, the arboretum feels

like a natural forest, yet more spread out and with sufficient trails throughout. All trees are

marked with their species, and there are even some “fun fact” panels and other educational

signage dotted around, to provide context about the trees in the arboretum, and the importance of

the work done there to preserve them. With this information, the arboretum can be a place to go

for a stroll, a run, or as an educational outing to understand more about dendrology. Nestled

within the arboretum there are also benches and handrails, and the trails often connect with the

road, so it is easy to set one’s own pace and avoid difficult terrain or long stretches.

The arboretum is open to visitors 5am-10pm daily, with many parking options both in

small lots and on the street, but they can be full so it is somewhat of a challenge to get a spot.

Getting to the arboretum from Reed is a roughly half-hour drive, though that can be significantly

shorter based on traffic. Using public transport it can be reached in a little over an hour, with a

combination of bus and MAX light rail segments, with walks of up to 20 minutes on each end.

Washington Park is in a very hilly area off the edge of the city, so a car is the easier option to

access any of the many facilities there, including the arboretum. With no admission fees, it is an

easy and fun way to learn more about the many species of tree that can thrive in Portland’s climate. To learn more about the arboretum, visit its website at hoytarboretum.org, as well as its

Instagram @hoytarboretum. So, go out and touch grass in Hoyt Arboretum!

29 October 2023

Located on the eastern end of the canyon, the Reed Orchard, or Centennial Orchard, is

the perfect quiet little enclave hidden away from the rest of the college. On one side it is

bordered by the canyon, accessible by its paths, and on the other is a small residential street. The

orchard itself is small, with a speckling of fruit trees around, as well as a picnic table nestled

under a vine-covered arbor. The arbor is actually a student art project from Geraldine Ondrizek’s

Art 365 - Intersection: Architecture, Landscape class in 2019, where students Sara Hansen, Nick

Chen, and Simcha Einhorn built the arbor, complete with a “laser engraved sign detailing the

ecological importance of the space and flora including the Canyon and the pollinator garden.” To

read more about the project, the report is up online in Studio Art Coursework. With its proximity

to campus and relative obscurity, the orchard is a perfect mini escape, or a good rest point on a

longer walk around the canyon, a change of scenery.

At Reed’s centennial celebration in 2011, the orchard was featured with a dedication of it

as the Centennial Orchard, including a planting of an English walnut tree by then-President Colin

Diver with the community as a centennial monument, according to the Reed College Canyon

Blog. The celebration in the orchard was accompanied by conservation efforts as well as fresh

apple cider, courtesy of a “newly released bike-powered fruit squeezer.” Per a Reed Canyon

walking tour map, the orchard is home to a “variety of fruit trees, including pear, cherry, and

plum, along with grapes, berries, and nut trees.” The orchard was also used in 2017 as the

meeting place for that year’s Fall Canyon Day.

The Reed Orchard, or Centennial Orchard, is at the eastern edge of the Canyon, off SE

37th and Steele St. Just like in the canyon, students are welcome, as long as the space is

respected, and the proximity to houses means there must be more consideration of those outside

the Reed community. To learn more about the orchard, take a walk down, explore the trees, and

have a chat under the shade of the grape vines. So, go out and touch grass in the Reed Orchard!

5 November 2023

This week Touch Grass was away from Portland, so this article is for anyone planning a

trip to Atlanta, Georgia! During the Quest’s time at the Fall Associated Collegiate Press (ACP)

conference, many walks were taken around downtown – including to Centennial Olympic Park, a

“22-acre greenspace that serves as Georgia’s legacy of the 1996 Summer Olympic Games,”

according to the Georgia World Congress Center Authority website. The park is a massive space

in the city, meant to be impressive for the games, and in addition to grassy areas also includes

water features, a ferris wheel, and a statue of the iconic Olympic Rings.

Centennial Olympic Park is open seven days a week and has a visitors center open six

days a week aside from Sunday, meaning it is a great place for an afternoon stroll or an evening

walk to after dinner ice cream – as we discovered there is an interesting place called The Yard

Milkshake Bar just a few minutes walk away. Inside the park itself, there are a few smaller

gardens commemorating various things and people, such as the Ivan Allen Tribute to former

Mayor of Atlanta Ivan Allen, who served the city from 1962 to 1970, leading Atlanta through the

Civil Rights Movement. To learn more about his actions in this period, there is an article about

him in the New Georgia Encyclopedia online.

As an important feature of the Olympics, the park is located in a prime area for tourists,

with many hotels, the Georgia Aquarium, and the World of Coca-Cola all around its periphery.

While these attractions bring in many people, Centennial Olympic Park is worth a visit in its own

right, and is free to enter, unlike other spaces. With many water features and plenty of green

space around, the park is an easy escape from the concrete of downtown, and a good reference

point for a visitor to the city. To learn more about the park, visit its section on the Georgia World

Congress Center Authority website, and check it out on Instagram @centennial_park. So, go out

and touch grass in Centennial Olympic Park, if you’re ever in Atlanta!

12 November 2023

A little ways off from Reed, in the quaint neighborhood of Sellwood, lies Sellwood

Riverfront Park, on the banks of the Willamette River. The roughly eight-acre park is made up of

a large lawn, as well as paths along the river on a beach, all full of people walking dogs. The

park is also located right near Oaks Amusement Park, with the bright colors of the rides poking

out over the tree-lined shores. Sellwood itself is a great destination, with vibrant restaurants,

making this park a great stop off on a longer trip away from the Reed campus, while getting a

glimpse into local Portland life, as it is a favorite in the community.

Sellwood Riverfront Park is open from 5am to 12am daily, and per the Portland.gov

website, it includes an “accessible restroom, picnic table, boat dock, riverfront views, dog off-

leash area,” and paths, both paved and unpaved. The park also has multiple benches, and down

by the water’s edge, a few convenient logs provide seating to take in the view. The park is a

great way to feel completely separated from Reed, while still being close by. The open nature of

it with the breathtaking view of the river creates an impressive and welcoming atmosphere.

While a walk-through would be regenerating, sitting, or standing to just observe the water, the

plants, and the beautiful buildings that can be seen around the river is a great experience in itself.

According to the Outdoor Project website, it is also a great swimming spot, though it is too cold

for that this time of year for most people. Instead, right now the fall leaves that can be seen

coloring the landscape across the river are a striking addition.

Located a little over two miles away from campus the walk would be almost an hour,

however the 19 bus cuts down some of that time, and in a car, it is only an eight minute drive.

The park is a great place for some thoughtful reflection, as a moment of calm ensconced in a

larger trip to the pleasant neighborhood of Sellwood, or to the amusement park, which is

currently open on weekend evenings. It makes a destination in and of itself however with the

stunning views of the Willamette; the perspective of sitting on the quiet shores at the park is so

different from looking down on it atop one of Portland’s many busy bridges. To learn more

about the park, visit its section on the Portland.gov parks website. So, go out and touch grass in

Sellwood Riverfront Park!

23 November 2023

An icon of Portland, Mount Tabor is an extinct volcanic cinder cone that towers over the

city, providing a landmark from below and spectacular views from above. Since its

establishment in 1909, it has also been the site of a public park spanning roughly 176 acres,

according to the Portland.gov website. It is also home to multiple reservoirs; “In 1894, the city

built two open reservoirs on the site (two other open reservoirs were built in 1911).” These are

still visible today, however per Travel Portland “For decades, these structures supplied water to

residents across the city. In 1990, the city sold one of the reservoirs to private developers; the

other three have since been decommissioned. These days, the enormous reservoirs, which were

accepted to the National Register of Historic Places in 2004, simply provide a scenic backdrop to

your park activities.” Signs at the site of Reservoir 6 state that it is currently empty due to the

discovery of voids under it in 2021, which is a worry for the soil in and around it washing away.

The Portland Water Bureau is investigating the situation, to learn more visit the water section of

the Portland.gov website.

While Reservoir 6 may be empty, Reservoir 5 nearby is full, a lovely body of water with

ducks swimming throughout. Mount Tabor Park is known for its hiking, with three main trails all

between one and three miles in length, and plenty of other pathways. These are great activities,

however, there are many other things to do at the Park, such as playgrounds and sports areas.

One can also simply take a short walk around Reservoir 5 near the entrance, where the view over

Portland is spectacular, especially at sunset. The park is open from 5am to midnight every day,

with car traffic limited between 5am and 10pm daily and none on Wednesdays. There is a

parking lot, but many people park on the side of the street along the way up to the park. On

public transit, the trip to the park from Reed is a little over 40 minutes on two buses, and by car,

it is a 16-minute drive.

Mount Tabor Park is also an events space, as it is home to an amphitheater, but also hosts

other things such as the annual adult soapbox derby race each August. According to Travel

Portland, “The annual PDX Adult Soapbox Derby pits grown-up kids against each other, with

each team designing and assembling their own downhill racers in pursuit of maximum speed or

big laughs.” To see pictures of past impressive creations and keep a lookout for next year, the

event has a website at soapboxracer.org. The park is maintained by the city but also by The

Friends of Mount Tabor Park, who were “organized as a non-profit group in 2000. We’re a

volunteer-driven community group that nurtures Mt. Tabor Park as a healthy and thriving urban

oasis for everyone. We serve as public advocates who inspire love and stewardship for the park’s

natural environment and recreational opportunities. We collaborate with the Portland Parks

Bureau, complementing its services where needed,” according to their website. A staple of the

city, the park has over a hundred years of history and many acres to explore. To learn more, visit

its section on the Portland.gov parks website or see it on an unofficial Instagram

@mounttaborpdx. So, go out and touch grass in Mount Tabor Park!

28 January 2024

In the center of downtown Ashland sits Lithia Park, dubbed “Ashland’s crown jewel” as

well as its “heart and soul” by the City of Ashland website. The impressive 100-acre park has

become a favorite spot amongst locals and those in town for the city's famous Oregon

Shakespeare Festival, with parts of the park jutting up against the Allen Elizabethan Theatre, and

Lithia Park the #1 thing to do in Ashland on Tripadvisor. The park was “formally dedicated over

the Independence Day holiday, July 4-6, 1916”, and since the Shakespeare Festival’s start in

1935 many improvements to the park have been made. Lithia Park boasts “a Japanese garden,

two duck ponds, a formal rose garden, groves of sycamore trees,” a playground, as well as

following the path of Ashland Creek, according to the city’s website. While the park’s main trail

is a mile long, with all of the other park attractions and its central location in town it is easy to

choose a shorter or longer adventure.

Lithia Park is located in Ashland, Oregon just 15 miles from the California border,

meaning it is a journey from Reed, however the roughly five hour drive is worth it for the small

town’s charm, and especially the Shakespeare Festival. While there, Lithia Park is a perfect

destination, after exploring what downtown has to offer and possibly running into another Reed

personality. The park has paved and unpaved paths, as well as being located on the edge of a

road, so that one can go in and out of the park over many different styles of bridges. Lithia Park

is dog-free, aside from service animals. With the sounds of swift Ashland Creek mingling with

those of the forested land around it, Lithia Park presents a moment of peace, sheltered from the

City.

While it’s a ways out from Reed, Lithia Park’s sprawling grounds exploding with a range

of colors present a beautiful destination, for a short stroll, moment of contemplation, a more

serious walk, or so many other activities. The section about the park on the City of Ashland

website is extensive, including catalogs of the parks’ plants, trail information, history, and much

more about the prized park. Thus, to learn more visit its section on the City of Ashland website.

So, when in Ashland, go out and touch grass in Lithia Park!

6 February 2024

Not to be confused with Sellwood Riverfront Park, a location covered in the November

17 2023 edition of “Touch Grass”, Sellwood Park is a small neighborhood park located just

down the road. Now a neighborhood within Portland, Sellwood was actually its own town until

being incorporated in 1893, according to the city of Portland’s website. A couple decades later,

the land for Sellwood Park was acquired in 1909. The 16.65 acre park is located right on the

edge of the much larger Oak’s Bottom Wildlife Refuge, and has impressive views of the

Willamette River, as it looks down at the bank belonging to Sellwood Riverfront Park. With so

many different parks in such close range it can be difficult to keep them all straight, or decide

where to start, but the Explore Sellwood Moreland website has a great section outlining the

different parks in the Sellwood area, as well as their main highlights.

Sellwood Park is a traditional neighborhood park, with facilities such as an “Accessible

Picnic Area, Accessible Restroom, Horseshoe Pit, Picnic Table, Playground, Paths, Baseball

Field, Soccer Field, Softball Field, Basketball Court, and a Tennis Backboard” according to it’s

section on the Portland.gov website. Sellwood Park also has a kitchen which parkgoers can

reserve, which was constructed in the 1920s to be a concessions stand. While dogs are allowed at

Sellwood Park, they must remain on-leash. Some online sites also claim it has an outdoor pool,

though the Quest was not able to confirm this and if it is still in operation it is closed for the

season. Sellwood Park is “funded through a partnership between Portland Parks and Recreation

and Columbia Sportswear, Inc.” according to the Portland.gov website. The land for Sellwood

Park, according to the Portland.gov website, used to be the site of the City View Racetrack. To

learn more about the racetracks history, the Portland Tribune wrote an article about it that can be

accessed online.

Getting to Sellwood Park from Reed can be accomplished with some public transit on the

19 bus, however there is significant walking on either end. It is a 47min walk away, and a 10min

drive, however the park is only a 13min walk out of the center of Sellwood, which is a great

destination in and of itself, with a variety of shops and restaurants to explore. The park is very

cozy, with tall trees lining one side, and buildings scattered throughout with slight nordic

flourishes that make it feel like a fairytale, aided by the string lights draped around the

playground and surrounding areas. Sellwood Park can be a good place to go for a bit of a break,

to soak up some views and pause while exploring the city. To learn more visit its section on the

Portland.gov website. So, go out and touch grass in Sellwood Park!

12 February 2024

Portland is known for its many green spaces, it’s why this column exists, however the

sprawling grounds of places like Washington Park aren’t all it has on offer– there’s also Mill

Ends Park, the world’s smallest park. Certified by the Guinness Book of World Records in 1976,

Mill Ends Park is a whopping 0.00007205784 acres, 452 square inches, or to put it more clearly

2 feet across, according to its section on the Portland.gov website. The “#51 of 692 things to do

in Portland” on Tripadvisor, the park is named after journalist Dick Fagan’s column Mill Ends,

the “rough, irregular pieces of lumber left over at lumber mills,” according to Portland.gov,

which “like its namesake for leftover lumber — detailed odd and irregular tidbits of information

and interesting stories,” per Travel Portland. While its namesake is not contested, much of the

rest of the park’s history is more murky, with a few different origin stories floating around.

The Portland.gov website lists the origin of the park as being tied to the column with

Fagan using it to “describe the park and the various ‘events’ that occurred there. 

Fagan billed the space as the ‘World’s Smallest Park’ The park was dedicated on St. Patrick’s Day in 1948 since Fagan was a good Irishman.” However per Travel Portland “legend says Fagan, who is of Irish descent, witnessed a leprechaun digging the hole. Intrigued by the promise of three wishes, Fagan reportedly captured the fellow and wished for a park before letting him free. Because Fagan did not distinguish the size of his desired park, the trickster erected a leprechaun-size park.” Oregon Live provides the most likely story, saying that “newspaper archives seem to point to the park’s founding in 1954. That year, the city of Portland was in a battle with the city of Columbus, Ohio, which claimed to have opened “the world’s largest municipal rose garden.” Employees of the Oregon Journal helped drum up a publicity stunt for Portland to plant the “world’s smallest rose garden.” They chose an empty hole in a median in front of the Journal offices, on what was then Front Street. It was a spot where a light pole had supposedly been planned but never installed.” These newspaper archives can be found on the PDXccentric website. The Oregon Encyclopedia also has a good record of the park, with a photo gallery of its Past.

Nowadays, the park looks pretty different than it does in most photos online, in part due

to recent renovation in the area. According to the Portland.gov website, in “December 2021, the

substantial completion of the Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT) Better Naito Forever

project resulted in a new and improved Mill Ends Park. The world-famous Mill Ends Park

moved to a new location (a full six inches west from its previous location) as the City installed

permanent bike, sidewalk improvements nearby.” As well as that part “of the improvements for

Mill Ends Park also included a new cloverleaf park border (legend has it the park is home to a family of leprechauns) and a new park sign. The bureau is hopeful park visitors can find the park in its new location without a map.” The park sign is the same design as signs erected in most Portland parks, however it is a miniature version. The other difference is that most pictures show the park with a tree in its center, with its Guinness page even displaying the tree decorated for Christmas. More recently, Oregon Live wrote an article on the park’s reopening in January of

2022 saying it contained “a few tufts of grass and a single Plum Yew bush.” Unfortunately when

the Quest visited the park was home only to some moss and a plastic red bird, a far cry from the

“small swimming pool and diving board for butterflies, many statues, a miniature Ferris wheel

(which was brought in by a normal-sized crane), and the occasional flying saucer,” that

Portland.gov claims it once had.

Mill Ends Park has been the site of many Saint Patrick’s Day festivities, especially as it

“officially became a city park on St. Patrick’s Day in 1976” according to the Portland.gov

website. The park is located in downtown Portland which means it is decently easy to access

from Reed, though as the Portland.gov website wishes people to find it without a map, more

information will not be given. It also stipulates that “all dogs must be leashed”, so do with that

what you will. While a park trip may not take a long time, it’s worth the visit if for nothing else

than to have been there, to have touched grass in the smallest park in the world. The park is also

in a state of disrepair at the moment, as the photo with this article shows, so giving it some extra

love this Saint Patrick’s day season may be in order. While this article covers the smallest park in

the world, it is also– though not Guinness certified– the longest Touch Grass to date! To learn

more visit its section on the Portland.gov website, or the many other sites mentioned in this

article. So, go out and touch grass in Mill Ends Park!

22 February 2024

Positioned right across the street from Mill Ends Park, featured in the February 23 issue,

Tom McCall Waterfront Park occupies a much larger area, at 30.9 acres stretching along the

bank of the Willamette in downtown. The park land was acquired in 1927, and the “idea for this

park came at the turn of the century when the 1903 Olmsted Report pointed out the need not only

for parks within the city, but for a greenway scheme for the riverbanks in order to ensure their

preservation for future generations.” Later on, “Governor Tom McCall created the Harbor Drive

Task Force in 1968 in order to study proposals for creating a public open space in its place. In

1974, Harbor Drive was torn up and construction of a waterfront park began. It was completed

and dedicated in 1978, gaining instant popularity. In 1984, the park was renamed Governor Tom

McCall Waterfront Park,” according to the park’s section on the Portland.gov website, a favorite

of “Touch Grass”.

The long park is also home to the Battleship Oregon Memorial Marine Park, which

contains a large piece of the ship, as well as the mooring point for the floating Oregon Maritime

Museum, which is housed on a steam-powered tug. Per the Portland.gov website, “The

Battleship Oregon Memorial was built in 1956 to honor an 1893 ship. It was nicknamed ‘the

Bulldog of the United States Navy’ and fought in many famous battles before it was retired from

service. On July 4, 1976, a time capsule was sealed in the base of the memorial. The time capsule

is to be opened July 5, 2076.” This is just one of many memorial constructions within Tom

McCall Waterfront Park, a list of which can be found on its section of the Portland.gov website.

The park contains many paved pathways often along the river’s edge, as well as an

interactive fountain for the summer months and plenty of green space. The park is open 5am-

midnight daily, and is located a 12 minute drive away. It is also accessible by public transport, a

roughly 50 minute journey utilizing either the bus system or the MAX. While the wind off the

river can make it a chilly destination, it is a good outdoor space for the winter overall because the

beauty of the park does not rely on flowering plants, but rather the awe-inspiring views of the

river and the city surrounding it. With its downtown location, Tom McCall Waterfront Park

would be a great place to stop along during a larger outing into the city, or as a supplement if

Mill Ends Park doesn’t have quite enough grass to touch. To learn more visit its section on the

Portland.gov website. So, go out and touch grass in Tom McCall Waterfront Park!

25 February 2024

The Columbia River Gorge is known for its breathtaking views and waterfalls, with “the

greatest concentration of high waterfalls in North America” per the Gorge Guide, and one hidden

gem of this Oregon landmark area is Horsetail Falls. Located just “2.75 miles east of Multnomah

Falls on the Historic Columbia River Highway,” the waterfall is “named for its characteristic

form, Horsetail Falls plunges 176 feet within view of the Historic Columbia River Highway’s ‘Waterfall Corridor.’ Just east of the falls is a great picnic spot to enjoy the beauty of the

surrounding area,” according to the Forest Service website, which also has a video exploring the

site. While the base of the waterfall is a gorgeous spot for a short walk, a picnic, or a quiet

meditation at the water’s edge, Horsetail Falls is also the starting point for a trail.

Per the Forest Service website, “This is also a trailhead for Horsetail Falls Trail #438, a

short but steep hike that passes behind the base of Upper Horsetail Falls (also called Ponytail

Falls) and through a basalt overhang before leading to Oneonta Trail #424. Be aware there are

steep cliffs in places, so use caution. The Horsetail Falls Trailhead is also used by a section of

Gorge Trail #400.” According to OregonHikers.org, the trail starts at the Horsetail Falls

Trailhead and ends at the Oneonta Trailhead, and is a 2.6 mile loop. With an elevation gain of

565 feet the hike is marked as easy and family friendly. Open all year, the trail is also crowded.

For more information about the hike specifically, Oregon Hikers gives a long and poetic play-by-

play description of the hike’s path on their website.

While the hike is marked as easy it is still a hike, but visitors can choose their own

adventure with the space, as the Gorge Guide says “the aptly-named Horsetail Falls cascades 176

feet down columnar basalt just steps from the historic highway, making this one of the few

Gorge waterfalls you can see without even getting out of the car. And after just a 10 minute

walk, visitors can make it up to Upper Horsetail Falls (commonly called Ponytail Falls), which

makes this a great day trip from Portland.” The Falls parking lot contains handicap spots,

however visitors must walk across the highway to get to the picnic area, a move that contains

stairs, so it is not the most accessible destination. For more information on this and other

locations, visit the Forest Service Website’s section on accessible recreation. Getting to the Falls

is a roughly 40 min drive from Reed, and there are no public transit options. To learn more visit

its section on the Forest Service website, and check out the multiple YouTube videos about the

falls. So, go out and touch grass (and water) at Horsetail Falls!

10 March 2024

Located in Sellwood, Oaks Bottom Wildlife Refuge is a roughly 162 acre floodplain

wetland, acquired to be a city park in 1959 according to its section on the Portland.gov website.

It then became an “official wildlife refuge in 1988 and was Portland’s first urban wildlife refuge

and Migratory Bird Park,” per the Friends of Oaks Bottom website, who are an organization

“dedicated to the preservation of the largest remaining natural area in the Willamette River’s

lower floodplain. We engage the surrounding communities and the city of Portland at large in

conserving this unique natural area through education and volunteer work”. The Wildlife Refuge

is the last of the Sellwood major greenspaces to be covered by the Quest, with prior ones being

Sellwood Riverfront Park on 17 November 2023 and Sellwood Park on 16 February 2024. In fact

the Wildlife Refuge was meant to be the first outing into Sellwood, however the driving

directions are unclear, leading the Quest to instead find itself at other local parks, slowly

narrowing in on the Wildlife Refuge. It is easier to find via walking and biking, and does have

oft-used biking trails.

The main draw of the Wildlife Refuge is a loop hike, which is a relatively easy 3.8 mile

walk. There are multiple lookout sections on the trail to rest, and it is suitable not to go all the

way, but instead turn around whenever it makes sense. The Oregon Hikers website describes the

views from the hike “through the maples and grand firs to the Oaks Amusement Park and the tall

buildings downtown. Fringe-cup, trillium, and fairy bells bloom on this slope in the spring. The

graveled trail traverses down the slope to stone steps at the corner of a large field. Near here, you

can see the railroad line and the busy Springwater Corridor bicycle/walking trail.” They also

have more technical information about the hike, useful for anyone planning to embark on it for

the first time.

While much of the hike explores views like those described above, of the lovely

wetlands, that is not all there is. Looming off to one side is a massive building with a wetland

bird mural painted across. The Quest was curious as to what this structure was in its enormity,

and discovered it was actually Wilhelm’s Portland Memorial Funeral Home, Mausoleum and Crematory. A “modest one-story view from the street hides something extraordinary – a massive, eight-story mausoleum complex built into the side of a hill overlooking Oaks Bottom Wildlife Refuge. The century-old mausoleum has been expanded over the years into a seemingly endless labyrinth of hallways and staircases. The sprawling complex takes up three city blocks and contains more than seven miles of corridors. Three fountains cascade down several floors. In

each stone-lined room, remains are stacked from floor to ceiling, often 14 urns, or seven caskets,

high,” according to an article in The Oregonian. The same article lists the building as holding

“some 97,000 souls and is one of the largest mausoleums on the West Coast,” explaining the size

of the building, which can only truly be appreciated from the Wildlife Refuge. The Mausoleum

actually predates the Wildlife Refuge’s city acquisition, being founded in 1901 originally as the

Portland Crematorium.

The loop trail snakes directly behind the building, which provides a good view of the

mural, painted mainly in 2009 that “covers eight surfaces totaling approximately 43,485 square

feet, and is estimated to be the largest mural in the United States” according to its section on the

Public Art Archive website. It also states that the mural “highlights the importance of the 160-

acre Oaks Bottom Wildlife Refuge to the City of Portland, OR’s quality of life, the contribution

of the wetland system as a critical element of the city’s green infrastructure, and its contribution

to maintaining biodiversity in the city and metropolitan area.” While a bit creepy that the main

human things to see from the Wildlife Refuge are the empty Oaks Amusement Park and the back

of a massive funeral home, the nature is quite pretty. It is easy to find living examples of many of

the birds painted in the mural, as well as plenty of different plants and the majesty of the water.

Oaks Bottom Wildlife Refuge is a ten minute drive, and it is best to route the navigation

to the Sellwood Park parking lot, which is directly next to an entrance to the Wildlife Refuge and

the loop trail. It is a 51 minute walk from Reed, but only 13 minutes on a bike. Dogs are allowed

in the Wildlife Refuge, but must remain on-leash to protect the environment. The park is open

from 5am-midnight daily, though the parking lot closes earlier at 10pm. To learn more visit its

section on the Portland.gov website. So, go out and touch grass in Oaks Bottom Wildlife Refuge!

25 March 2024

Located just a straight shot down Chavez Blvd. is Laurelhurst Park, a 32.27 acre city park

full of newly blooming flowers, a pond, swingset, and much more. Acquired by the city in 1909,

according to its section on the Portland.gov website Laurelhurst Park “was purchased from the

estate of William S. Ladd, who developed Ladd’s Addition and twice was mayor of Portland.

Ladd named his 486-acre parcel Hazel Fern Farm, after the name of one of the streets in the area.

Here Ladd developed one of the most prestigious stock farms in the West. In fact, his purebred

Jersey cattle probably laid the foundation for Oregon’s future livestock industry. As East

Portland developed, Ladd’s tract of land became too valuable for agricultural use.” As the land

for this park was originally a farm, its pond had “always been a favorite watering hole for cattle,

as well as a favorite swimming hole for both children and adults,” before it became a park.

The park was designed by Emanuel Mische, Portland’s park superintendent from 1908-

1914, who was “inspired by the Olmstedian ‘natural’ landscaping approach, his plan included

several distinct sections - the concert grove, Firwood Lake, children’s lawn, plateau and broad

meadows, picnic grove, and Rhododendron Hill. Workers were hired to deepen the pond into a

3-acre lake.” This design was effective, as in “1919, the park was named the most beautiful park

on the west coast by the Pacific Coast Parks Association. Thanks to the efforts of the Portland

Historical Landmarks Commission, in February 2001 Laurelhurst Park was named to the

National Register of Historic Places.” According to the Portland.gov website. The park was also

the site of the Rose Festival Queen’s Coronation, which took place on floats in the pond for many years, however now the space is more natural, with many different species of flora and fauna such as catfish and ducks.

Within the park there are many walking paths, some paved, as well as sports areas and a

full playground. The playground is attached to a preschool within the park, so is often in use

during the day. The park hosts many events throughout the year, some of which are discussed on

Travel Portland’s website, such as the Portland Water Lantern Festival. Travel Portland also

mentions places to eat around the park, useful to make more of an event out of a visit as it is a bit

of a longer trip from Reed. Laurelhurst Park is open 5:00am-10:30pm daily, and has picnic areas

available to reserve, which can be done by calling 503-823-2525. Travel to the park is logistically easy, with it located just off Chavez Blvd., 3.5 miles from Reed. By car this is a 13

min journey, which is over an hour on foot, and roughly a half hour on public transit. While the

park has no dedicated parking lot that the Quest could see, there is plenty of on-street parking in

the surrounding neighborhood and on the park’s edges. To learn more visit its section on the

Portland.gov website. So, go out and touch grass in Laurelhurst Park!

30 March 2024

Mentioning Portland to someone often elicits similar responses from many people, and

similar places; Powell’s, Voodoo, and on the nature side–the majestic Multnomah Falls. Located

in the Columbia River Gorge Northeast of the city, Multnomah Falls is actually one of many

waterfalls along the Historic Columbia River Highway, another of which, Horsetail Falls, was

covered by the Quest on 8 March 2024. This is because the Quest initially attempted to visit

Multnomah Falls, but the parking lot was full. As Travel Portland says, “Oregon is a state where

water regularly flows down from on high. Multnomah Falls — all 620 feet (189 m) — stands

above the rest as Oregon’s tallest waterfall.” This is backed up by the Forest Service, which

states on its website that “Multnomah Falls is the most visited natural recreation site in the

Pacific Northwest with more than 2 million visitors stopping by each year to take in the views.

Fed by underground springs from Larch Mountain, the flow over the falls varies, but is usually

highest during the winter and spring seasons.”

While a hike is not required to experience the Falls, there is one available which is,

according to All Trails, a “2.3-mile out-and-back trail near Bridal Veil, Oregon. Generally

considered a moderately challenging route, it takes an average of 1 h 30 min to complete.” For a

more comprehensive guide to the hike, visit its section on the All Trails website. There are also

ways to view the Falls without undertaking any amount of hike, and more about the accessibility

of the site is present in a video on the Forest Service website. The main viewing areas of the

Falls, as well as the hiking trail and the picturesque bridge across them are all free to the public

right now, however “A Timed Use Permit will be required daily from 9 a.m. until 6 p.m from

May 24, 2024 through Sept. 2, 2024. Permits will be available online at www.recreation​.gov for

a $2 transaction fee starting May 10, 2024.” according to the Forest Service website. It is also a

good idea to, per the Travel Portland website, “Whether you climb to the top for spectacular

views or peer up from the bottom, dress warmly and wear shoes with traction. The waterfall’s

spray makes the entire area cool and slick. Dressing for the water also means you’re already

prepared for rainy weather if storm clouds happen to roll into the Columbia River Gorge during

your visit.”

At the bottom of the Falls there is also “The Multnomah Falls Lodge, which is run by a

concessionaire, is well maintained with restrooms, a Visitor Center, a snack bar, a gift shop and a

restaurant that is fully ADA accessible. The visitor information area within the lodge is jointly

staffed by Friends of Multnomah Falls volunteers and the U.S. Forest Service. Offerings include

a simple trail map and brochures about Multnomah Falls in multiple languages.” according to the

Forest Service website. The lodge “was built in 1925 to serve throngs of tourists who came to

view the spectacular sights of the Columbia Gorge.” and is “made of every type of rock found in

the gorge” per Oregon.com, which also includes more information on the history of the site as

well as other driving routes to get there that are more scenic than the direct one on the freeway.

On the Lodge’s website they say that their “restaurant inside the Historic Lodge is open seven

days a week and reservations are encouraged, but NOT required.” And reservations as well as a

version of their menu can be found on their website, as well as their hours which are 9am-6pm

on weekdays, and 8am-6pm on weekends. The Falls themselves are open for daytime use only.

Getting to Multnomah Falls is a roughly 40 min drive from Reed, where it’s exit on the

Freeway is on the left. Without a car, the Forest Service gives the options of “The Columbia

Gorge Express offers daily bus service between the Gateway Transit Center in Portland,

Troutdale, Multnomah Falls, Cascade Locks and Hood River, Oregon. Summer options include

the Waterfall Trolley based in Corbett, Oregon. There are other commercial shuttle and ebike

options that can be found with a quick search on the Internet.” Day trips to the Falls and

surrounding geological area of the Columbia River Gorge are also an option, and most leave

from Portland. Tripadvisor has a list of some highly rated ones. To learn more visit its section on

the Forest Service website. So, go out and touch grass (and water) at Multnomah Falls!

8 April 2024

According to the Oregon State Parks website “The same view that attracts visitors from

around the globe inspired the visionaries of the Historic Columbia River Highway, built in 1918

as the first road linking Portland and The Dalles. This small park’s namesake organization, the

Portland Women’s Forum, was active in preserving the natural beauty along the Gorge and

donated the land to the state.” With 4.5/5 stars on over 200 reviews on TripAdvisor, the site is a

well-loved location. The Oregon Hikers website discusses the history, saying “the site was once

home to the Chanticleer Inn, built in 1912 but which burned down in 1930. In the 1950s, the

Portland Women’s Forum, a group instrumental in the founding of the original Columbia River

Gorge Commission, purchased the property and donated it to the state in 1963. Previous to the

inn’s demise, travelers could detrain at Rooster Rock below and take a shuttle or walk the two

miles up the hill via the old wagon road to enjoy a meal and the views at the inn.” To read more

about the historical significance of the site read its entry on the Historical Marker database.

The Portland Women’s Forum website says of this history that “the founding members

were responsible for recognizing that this viewpoint was special and should be saved from

private development and shared with the gorge visitors forever. The ladies had teas, sales and

raised the funds to buy this viewpoint and eventually gifted the property to the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department who now take care of this beautiful spot for all to enjoy,”. Their site also

includes historical pictures of Chanticleer Inn.

This site is not the Forum’s only focus in the area, as in “1950, after a Sunday drive up

the Columbia River Highway, Gertrude Glutsch Jensen came to a Portland Women’s Forum

meeting and told us that the loggers and mills were despoiling the “Great Gorge of the Mighty

Columbia River”, as she called it. She was heartsick over what she had seen. She felt that the

State of Oregon or the federal government could help in exchanging timber land in the Gorge for

timber elsewhere. The Portland Women’s Forum established the Columbia River Gorge as it’s

[sic] principal and permanent project. We wrote letters and went to meetings with the Oregon

State Legislature asking for their help. Gertrude was the powerhouse behind all this. She even

went back to Washington DC at her own expense to get help from Congress.” The first effect of

this was “in 1953, the Oregon Legislature created a three member Columbia River Gorge Commission with Gertrude Glutsch Jensen as chairman. She served in this capacity for sixteen

years. Thousands of acres of land were acquired by public agencies through donations to the

state, and land exchanges by the Bureau of Land Management, Mt. Hood National Forest and

Hood River County.” After this, the Forum was then able to acquire the land for Chanticleer

Point.

The viewpoint is “open 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Open for day use year round,” according to the

state parks website section on the overlook, which also includes a current weather indicator and a

button for directions. From Reed, it is about a 30 minute drive, and only 17 minutes from

Multnomah Falls, covered in the 5 April 2024 edition of the Quest, so good for a combined day

trip. No hiking is required to see the viewpoint as there is parking directly next to it, however for

anyone that is inclined OregonHikers.org has a section detailing a nearby hike. The website also

includes pictures of the surroundings and a map to help orient prospective hikers. To see what

the viewpoint’s height is compared to other peaks in the area and explore the region

geographically, check out its entry on PeakVisor.com and PeakBagger.com. To learn more visit

its section on the State Park website. So, go out and touch grass at Chanticleer Point!

13 April 2024

Yes, “Touch Grass” has covered Crystal Springs Rhododendron Garden before, but it

was a while back on 29 September 2023, and thus deserves new consideration as the season is so

different. Now, the rhododendrons and the many other flowers throughout the garden are

beginning to bloom, so if there was ever a time to visit–this is it! The garden has just, on April 18

2024 changed its opening times and pricing for Spring, with it now open 10am-5pm most days

with the exception of 1pm-5pm on Wednesday. The garden’s entrance is located just across from

the PAB parking lot and entrance is free for Reedies, just remember to bring your student ID.

Regular admission is now $8.95 for adults and $5.95 for students aged 6-21, with younger

children being free.

According to the garden’s website, it is “a unique 9.5-acre garden, Crystal Springs

contains an outstanding collection of rare species and hybrid rhododendrons, azaleas, and other

lesser-known ericaceous plants, as well as many companion plants and unusual trees.” They also

say they are very conscious of the current ecosystem, writing that “Gardens are dynamic

environments and Crystal Springs continues to evolve and grow while honoring the past. In

doing our part to prepare for the rapidly changing climate reality, we are identifying drought and

heat tolerant rhododendrons that will ensure the garden’s future. Our companion plantings focus

on climate adapted plants that bring out the best in our specimen rhododendron collection.”

Last time the Quest covered the garden it was in the fall, but now the Crystal Springs

Rhododendron Garden has completely changed its face, with flowers of every color in

abundance. While some are still buds, there can be easily seen bright purples, pinks, reds,

yellows, and more, all under the backdrop of greenery and water of the pond. A popular place for

taking photos the garden these days is packed with visitors, but Reed students have a special

connection in that they can enter at less popular times during the week, and can skip around the

entrance fee. As the semester comes near to a close, hopefully this is a good reminder of a

beautiful natural space located so close to school, there for a moment of calm in busy studying,

or a place to use for studying, with many shaded benches around one could sit on with a good

book. To learn more visit the garden’s website. So, go out and touch grass in Crystal Springs

Rhododendron Garden!

29 May 2024

Located in Chinatown just off the river, Lan Su Chinese Garden is the perfect oasis in the

middle of the bustle. Looking up from within the garden, the tops of Portland’s high rises cross

the horizon, but when one tilts one’s head down, it is only the tranquility of Lan Su that remains.

With winding paths, exquisite architecture, and bridges over ponds the garden is a complex

lattice work that gives off a feeling of closeness and peace, inspiring meditative thoughts.

Wandering through on a warm day the conversation of patrons in the tea house drifts across the

water, as the chirp of nearby birds mingles with the laughter of children. 

The garden feels like an oasis not just because of its incredibly intentional design but also, with the water and many plants the garden functions as a mini-climate, staying more temperate than the rest of the city. The mission of the garden is to “cultivate an oasis of tranquil beauty and harmony to inspire, engage and educate our global community in the appreciation of a richly authentic Chinese culture” according to its website. The garden was built in 2000 as a “collaboration between the cities of Portland and Suzhou, our sister city in China’s Jiangsu province that’s famous for its beautiful Ming dynasty gardens, Lan Su was built by Chinese artisans from Suzhou and is one the most authentic Chinese gardens outside of China”. The name “Lan Su Chinese Garden” also incorporates “sounds from both Portland and Suzhou … to form Lan Su. ‘Lan’ (蘭 ) is also the Chinese word for ‘Orchid’ and’Su’ (蘇) is the word for ‘Arise’ or ‘Awaken,’ so the garden’s name can also be interpreted poetically as’Garden of Awakening Orchids’ (蘭蘇園)”. The garden is not fashioned after any specific extant garden, instead taking inspiration from many, and paying homage to them within its artwork. To learn more about the Garden’s history and mission, there is a video uploaded alongside their website in the about section. 

Open from 10:00am to 6:00pm in the summer, tickets to Lan Su are $13 with a student ID, regularly $14. Tours of the garden are provided at regular intervals for no extra charge.There are wheelchair accessible paths in Lan Su, and benches are scattered throughout. The Yun Shui Teahouse is also located within the garden, and its name “represents the clouds coming from the East, Suzhou (雲自東方來) and water coming from the West, The Willamette River (水從河中取). Yun Shui 雲水 perfectly captures the sense of energetic connection between the two cities and offers an experience similar to the energy of tea”, according to the teahouse section of the website. There are over twenty types of tea to explore in Yun Shui, as well as treats from local bakeries. The teahouse is open for the same hours as the garden.

The plant diversity at Lan Su is incredibly striking, with “hundreds of plants [sic] species

that are native to China. It is home to more than fifty specimen trees, many rare and unusual

shrubs and perennials, and curated collections of Magnolia, Peony, Camellia, Rhododendron,

Osmanthus and Bamboo”. The garden’s website has an entire page dedicated to the various

plants on site, as well as featuring a “Horticulture Tidbit” section. The garden hosts a plethora of

activities and events, some of which are advertised on the garden’s website. Getting to the

garden from Reed is a 15 min drive, and takes 45 min by bus. With its central location, it is easy

to add Lan Su as an activity together with a meal downtown, or a visit to the Saturday Market.

To learn more visit the garden’s website. So, go out and touch grass in the Lan Su Chinese

Garden!

8 September 2024

While in the Reed mind the idea of a Renaissance Faire conjures Renn Fayre, our own

end-of-year celebration, the term is of course much larger. Non-Reed Ren Faires happen often

and all over during the warmer months, including one coming up this weekend. The Shrewsbury

Renaissance Faire happens annually in the early Fall, and this year is September 14th and 15th.

While this is short notice, if it’s too late to go this year, there is always next year to plan for!

Celebrating its 28th year of “Teaching History Through Faire Play” according to its

website, the faire is open this weekend from 10am to 6pm both days, with tickets available

online and at the gate. Located in King’s Valley, a 1.5 hr drive South of Reed, the faire is

joyfully secluded from modern life. With high trees all around and not an ounce of cell signal,

cash is essential and it is easy to get into the spirit of the past. Shrewsbury boasts over 60

merchants, 18 food vendors, and 33 performing acts. Including names like Nik Naks ‘n’ Klik

Klaks, Pirate Tacos, and The Bardy Brats, there is plenty to see and do at the faire.

One of the faire’s main attractions is, of course, jousting, which happens twice a day.

There are also various educational history resources on the faire’s website, for those that are

interested in having more Renaissance in their faire. If not, fairies, pirates and mythical

princesses abound, frolicking through the merchant stalls and hiding in the trees. It’s a proper

day trip, but a great experience to share with friends, all for the price of $22 per person, parking

included. To learn more visit the faire’s website. So, go out and touch grass at the Shrewsbury

Renaissance Faire!

16 September 2024

One of Portland’s most well known gardens is its International Rose Test Garden, located

in Washington Park in viewing distance to the Japanese Garden, covered in the 6 October 2023

issue of the Quest. However, unlike the Japanese Garden, the Rose Garden is free to enter. With

the roses in bloom from around May through October, there is still a bit of time this year to see

the garden in its colors! More than “10,000 individual rose bushes bloom” in the garden,

according to its section on the Portland.gov site, and they are mostly commercially available.

According to the same website, the “primary purpose of the Garden is to serve as a testing

ground for new rose varieties. In the beginning, while World War I was raging, hybridists sent roses from around the world to Portland’s garden for testing.” It is in fact “the oldest,

continuously operated public rose test garden in the United States”, being established in 1917,

per the Portland Parks Foundation website.

The International Rose Test Garden was “conceived by Oregon Journal editor Jesse A.

Currey in 1915,” and “Flowers began arriving in Portland in 1918” with the garden separated

into “several smaller areas: the Royal Rosarian Garden, the Shakespeare Garden and the Miniature Rose Garden,” per Travel Portland. These sections were not all present at the garden’s founding, but have instead been added on throughout the years, making the garden now cover 6.9

acres. The garden has a tiered structure, and sits above the city with a view down upon it, and out

to Mount Hood when the skies are clear. There are plenty of benches throughout the garden, and

as admission is free, it is a great spot to come in the middle of a long day, to take lunch in a quiet

and colorful part of the city. With hundreds of varieties of roses, the colors spread across the

garden are vast, warming up the space even on a rainy day.

Open from 5:00 am - 10:00 pm daily, except for some wednesdays between May and

August, the International Rose Test Garden is an easy spot to work into a larger trip, and is

especially great if one is already planning to visit the Japanese Garden or other areas in

Washington Park, because it is a free addition in which one can spend as much or as little time as

they like. While just a 20 min drive from Reed, the garden is a bit tricky to get to using public

transit, as it would take over an hour, and the final 15 min are a hilly walk. But when living in

the Rose City, it seems only right to take a look at its rose garden at some point. To learn more

visit the garden’s section on the Portland gov.website. So, go out and touch grass at the

International Rose Test Garden!

23 September 2024

Portland is a city full of nature, and there are many places where its towering trees and

moss lined sidewalks coalesce into swaths of green: its parks. Portland is home to many parks,

which are often a feature of Touch Grass, but this week’s park is special in it's newness. Errol Heights Park is located just a 5 min drive away from Reed, which is only 33 min on foot. While the land for the park was originally acquired in 1966, starting in 2018 it underwent a massive redevelopment program that saw the park reimagined, opening again officially earlier this year. This makes it an exciting look into what Portland is prioritizing in its parks today, and how this landscape might be shaped going forwards.

Extending across 16 acres, the Errol Heights Park redevelopment “protects and restores

natural wetland and riparian areas, improved trails and expanded paths for better accessibility,

installed artwork celebrating the unique landscape, and created new play and picnic areas on the

upper plateau among other improvements,” according to the park’s section on the Portland.gov

website. It also includes a large elevated walkway, which The Bee looked into, finding it was a

way to connect the upper and lower sections of the park, and reimagine a hill that was once an

illegal dump site. Instead, there now stands the walkway, which is “the transition zone from the

developed north end to the natural area in at [sic] the south. The length of the Walkway is about

337 feet; and it has about 32 feet of total climb, from the natural area path up to the top,” per The

Bee. This walkway allows visitors to walk easily along what is a rather steep hill, getting a great

view of the city beyond, and the wildflowers beneath, while crucially not disturbing them.

There is a large art piece in the park, commissioned in 2021 from artists Terresa White

and Mike Suri. They created a “15-foot sculpture that will invite neighbors, gardeners, walkers,

birders, skateboarders, and visitors to experience its natural and recreational areas. This

collaborative artwork includes three tall, slender steel forms with cup-like organic shapes and

contours that echo the park's trees and flora, collecting and draining rainwater. A bronze mask is attached to each of the three steel forms, combining human faces with various flora and fauna of the park that includes a blue heron, an owl, a peacock as well as maple, white oak, and red alder leaves,” according to the Portland gov website.

Errol Heights Park is a new and beautiful reimagining in the Portland parks space, and

it’s closeness to campus allows anyone that wishes to visit it, seeing the art in sculpture and

nature. There is ample street parking around, and facilities enough that if one could walk there to

do homework for an afternoon. Taking a study break would be easy, a stroll up and down the

elevated walkway, watching cars and bees fly by. The park is open from 5am to midnight daily,

with a sports field and picnic area available to reserve. The park has accessible play areas and

restrooms, as well as a splash pad and skate park. To learn more visit the park’s section on the

Portland.gov.website. So, go out and touch grass at Errol Heights Park!

30 September 2024

Local parks are a great way to detach for a moment from the stresses of life, take your

dog for a walk, play sports, or have a picnic. Brentwood Park is located just an 11 min bus ride

away, making it both easily accessible and suitably removed from the Reed bubble. Full of trees

just starting to change their colors, the weather is just right for a Fall stroll, and there are still a

few good days left to picnic before the rain brings its full force. Brentwood park is also

conveniently less than a block from a Dairy Queen, so a picnic there would not have to be

brought from home. It could also function as a good pick-me-up during a long study session

sitting in the shade of a tree.

Brentwood park sits at slightly over 14 acres, and the land was acquired by the city in

1951. Open from 5am-midnight daily, the park boasts many amenities, such as “Picnic Tables,

Playground, Fenced Dog off-leash Area, Paths (Paved), Soccer Field, Softball Field, Volleyball

Court” according to its section on the Portland.gov website, as well as having bathrooms and a

water fountain. The sports fields can be reserved by calling 503-823-2525. The website also

notes that “Starting Monday, November 6 through Friday, November 17, the Brentwood Park

dog off-leash area will temporarily closed [sic] in order to install new fencing and improve

drainage”. But otherwise the park is fully operational. With ample street parking it is also very

accessible by car, though there is a school across the street so pickup and dropoff times should be

considered when planning a trip. To learn more visit the park’s section on the Portland.gov

website. So, go out and touch grass at Brentwood Park!

7 October 2024

Out on the Oregon coast a 2 hr drive from Reed sits Cape Meares Lighthouse, the

shortest lighthouse in the state with a scenic viewpoint and plenty of parking. While it is far out,

classes within the Blue Humanities, an oceanic subset of Environmental Humanities, were able

to take an interdisciplinary field trip out there on Saturday, October 5 2024. This field trip

brought over 30 students out to the Cape and nearby Tillamook County Museum, for wide

ranging discussions around the sea’s meanings in literature, art history, and beyond.

The Oregon coast as a whole is known to be a fantastic destination, so while a trip out

there requires some planning and crucial time off, it is well worth it. Cape Meares is a worthy

stop on such a trip, for views and the potential for whale watching, depending on the season and

one’s luck. According to the State Parks website, “during our Whale Watch Week programing in

December and Spring Break, volunteers are stationed here to help visitors spot migrating

whales”. In addition to the ocean there are terrestrial things to see as well, with the website

highlighting the octopus tree, “named for its thick, sprawling limbs. From a turnoff at the park

entrance, a 0.8-mile trail heads north through a forest of old growth spruce that's part of a

National Wildlife Refuge. Take the .25-mile spur trail to the largest Sitka spruce tree in

Oregon”. These sites also have trail markers clearly visible at the site, so it is easy to find the

right path.

Visiting Cape Meares is free, and in the summer the lighthouse has a gift shop open as

well. There are restrooms on site, up a small hill by the parking lot. There are multiple nice

viewing spots connected to the paved paths of the parking lot, making this destination accessible

in some ways, though the bathrooms are up a dirt path. For more trip planning specifics, check

out the Pines and Vines page on the lookout. With many different spots around to sit and watch

the water, multiple trails for trees, and some areas for picnics in the grass or at tables, a trip to

Cape Meares Lighthouse can take as long as one wants. Ultimately, the best way to show the

allure of the lighthouse is through photos, hence the few connected to this article. To learn more

visit the viewpoint’s section on the Oregon State Parks website. So, go out and touch grass at

Cape Meares Lighthouse!

14 October 2024

An annual Portland tradition, there is still time to experience The Pumpkin Patch! Going

since 1967, the family farm on Sauvie Island that puts on The Pumpkin Patch is hosting it once

more this Fall, open until the end of October. The Patch hosts plenty of pumpkins to choose

from, and patrons can wander and select the perfect one from the vine, or purchase pre-picked

pumpkins closer to the front. The farm boasts “The Produce Market, Patio Cafe, Pumpkin Perk

Coffee, Pumpkin Cottage Gift Shop, The Maize, and 1929 Big Red Animal Barn,” according to

the Patch’s website. At The Pumpkin Patch, one can grab an apple cider doughnut and go for a

wander in the corn, passing over bridges that let them see across the maize, to the tractor-pulled

hayride and the sprawling pumpkins beyond.

Local news station KGW8 checked out The Pumpkin Patch, writing “the 22-acre pumpkin field has over 20 types of pumpkins growing on it, according to Joe Kellogg, one of the farm’s managers and brother in law to the farmer who runs the farm”. They also noted Kellogg emphasized the community aspect of the Patch, with many families coming every year for decades. While most at Reed are relatively new to the Portland area, this could end up being an annual tradition for many more. While the atmosphere of the Patch is very family-friendly, there is also plenty to do as a group of adults, including food vendors, a bar, and great opportunities to walk around a picturesque farm.

The Patch is open daily from 10am-6pm, but has more open during the weekends. There

is no admission fee, so the experience is customizable with hayrides, corn maize, shopping, food,

and drink as available add-ons. The Patch is not extremely accessible, with nothing being

connoted on their website, most of it being on unpaved ground, and the activities involving

walking on unstable surfaces. As it is a working farm, appropriate footwear is recommended.

Located on Sauvie Island the Patch is a 30 min drive North of Reed, and is not accessible

via public transport. No pets are allowed at the Patch, and both cash and credit cards are accepted

according to its website. The Pumpkin Patch is a great place to go to get away from the hustle

and bustle, seeing some real Pacific NorthWest fall. Whether in a group, as a date, or just with

yourself the Patch offers plenty of fun activities, and is a classic experience for all. To learn more

visit the Pumpkin Patch’s website at, appropriately, thepumpkinpatch.com. So, go out and touch

grass at The Pumpkin Patch on Sauvie Island!

28 October 2024

Haunted houses aren’t just run down Victorians. In fact, anything can feel haunted if you

happen to catch it at the right moment. With over one hundred years of history, it stands to

reason that Reed would hold some hauntings. This goes for the surrounding area as well, even

newer buildings hold the stories of so many people, their lost voices trapped in the walls,

footsteps still clinging to carpet. Stories are everywhere, spookies are everywhere, if you’re

willing to let them overtake you. If you take the time to really sit in a space, to be alone and

silent, who knows what mysteries you may uncover?

Wandering down a decrepit brick walled hallway, blinking LED panels light the space in

an orange vignette. The yellow paint on the ceiling tries to conceal the many exposed pipes, but

their uneven hammering gives them away. Green carpet turns blue in places, and the floor dips

away from your feet a few steps in. Meanwhile, not so far away concrete floors rise into concrete

walls locking you in, each footstep echoing on and on into the distance. Harsh white light blares

down on you, reflecting on white walls and pushing you forward into emptiness. There too is a

version of you that takes shelter from the rain in the dark wood accented hallways of a red brick

building, trying to ignore the sounds of invisible feet on stairs, notes drifting in from a distant

Organ.

Don’t think you’re safe from them, or missing out, by leaving campus. You go home to

your house that has had more renters than anyone can count, each creaking floorboard you

disrupt is mirrored somewhere else in the house. The light in the corner flashes on, then off

again, and the wind rips through the gaps in the windows, under the door, through your clothes.

Maybe you wake up in your recently renovated home to the screech of your bedroom door gently

pushing open, steps padding along your carpet. Your window AC unit makes various sounds in

the night, how do you know which ones are truly from it? How many of your roommates are

home, how many are awake? What happens if you let yourself into the fantasy, into the

haunting? Located anywhere and everywhere, haunted houses are open after the sun goes down.

Wondering how grass features? Well, the best haunted houses are all about bringing the outside

in. Wind, cobwebs, moss creeping into what is meant to be a safe space. To learn more visit your

local horror movie collection. So, go out and touch grass in your haunted house, if you dare!

5 November 2024

The views of the Willamette river from downtown Portland are beautiful, especially from

Tom McCall Waterfront Park, featured in the March 2 2024 Touch Grass. However, these walks

are not always accessible, especially not to cover a long distance and get a glimpse of most of

Portland’s iconic bridges. Luckily, launching from a dock off of the park is the Portland Spirit, a

boat offering many cruises up and down the river. These quick trips provide a unique glimpse of

the city and surrounding areas, as well as often including a meal. While this is an expensive trip,

it is good to keep in mind for special occasions and family visits. The boat’s staff is also fully

prepared for mobility issues, and are able to bring wheelchair users onto the Portland Spirit. So,

this is a safe activity for the whole family, where you can stay seated and watch the water, or

take a walk out on deck.

Portland Spirit describes itself as “Operating a fleet of four boats for public and private

events, Portland Spirit offers year-round dining and sightseeing cruises — an experience unlike

anything else in Portland, Oregon”, per its website. While there are four boats, this article is just

on the largest in the fleet, named the Portland Spirit. Cruises on their ships are not cheap, with

prices starting at $60, and moving up depending on timing, food offerings, and the add-ons of

alcohol and souvenirs. The main options are a weekend brunch, and dinner cruise. According to

the Portland Spirit website, cruises are offered year-round and cruises are about 2 hrs long. There

are also special occasion cruises, including a Valentine’s Day dinner cruise, as well as being

available for private events.

With years of history on the Willamette, the Portland Spirit “combines the classic

nautical experience with a fine dining atmosphere. Two levels are fully enclosed and climate

controlled, each with a sound system and full service bar. A built-in marble dance floor is

available on the Columbia Deck and the top Starlight Deck is an open-air viewing deck,”

according to its website. As the holidays approach and the weather gets colder, the warmth inside

the boat still allows for some sightseeing in the winter. To learn more visit the Portland Spirit

website, and check them out on Instagram @portlandspirit. So, go out and touch (okay, see) grass on the Portland Spirit!

11 November 2024

Local parks are often featured on “Touch Grass”, but Westmoreland park might be the most impressive yet. With many fun small bridges, boardwalks above water, plenty of space to walk and enjoy nature, the park has all one would need. Covering over 43 acres, the park feels vast with its positioning in a long line, where as one walks the scenery changes from Crystal Springs Creek, to sports fields, to the pond and back again on various paths snaking across the edge of Mcloughlin Blvd. Since its acquisition in 1927 by the city, according to it’s section on the Portland.gov website, the park has undergone many different projects that have shaped it into a unique and diverse outdoor space right in Reed’s backyard.

For the hiking inclined, All Trails has information on a one-mile loop through

Westmoreland Park with directions and a printable map for reference. This is an easy and quick

walk, but good for a regular exercise routine or simple calm moment. All Trails also gives

important accessibility information, saying that for parking there is one accessible parking space

in the “lot off of Southeast 23rd Avenue at the south end of the trail. It does not appear to be van-

accessible with a striped access aisle”, and that the trails are “paved (with railings at bridges) and

typically at least 5 feet wide. The estimated grade is gentle (all 3% or less)”. There are also many

benches throughout the park for resting. There is ample street parking across the length of the

park, but where one parks should be considered when walking, as they can get very far away.

Shorter walks are also possible, with many bridges throughout allowing passage from the thinner

surface-street facing part, and the wider McLoughlan facing part.

Conservation has been a recent focus of park operations, with a Restoration Plan

introduced in a 2004 master plan. This plan protected “Crystal Springs Creek,” which “is a

tributary of Johnson Creek, and is home to fish, river otter, heron, eagles, and frogs,” according

to the Portland.gov website. Part of the Restoration Plan included assisting the renaturalization of

the park’s wetlands, by removing a duck pond and adding in over 15,000 appropriate native

plants. This project also added in the boardwalk pictured alongside this article. Engineering

With Nature: An Atlas, Volume 2 contains an article examining more of this project, which is

available online through issuu. The park also moved to a more natural playground, with log-

based climbing structures and a water table, which are fascinating to see even if one is not a

Child.

Westmoreland Park is located just a 26 min walk or 4 min drive from Reed, and 15 min

with the 19 bus will get there as well. The park is open from 5am-midnight daily, and includes a

“Baseball Field, Softball Field, Soccer Field, Basketball Court, Accessible Restroom, Picnic

Table[s], Playground, Nature-Based Play Area, Tennis Court (Outdoor)” according to the

Portland.gov website. Dogs are also allowed within the park, but must be leashed at all times.

Picnic areas can be reserved for events by calling 503-823-2525 or visiting the Portland picnic

reservation page online. To learn more visit its section on the Portland.gov website. So, go out

and touch grass in Westmoreland Park!

18 November 2024

The largest park explored by Touch Grass to date, Washington Park’s roughly 241 acres

contain a wealth of different smaller attractions, which all merit their own visits. Some of the

places within Washington Park are the Portland Japanese Garden, the International Rose Test

Garden, and Hoyt Arboretum, all of which have been covered in previous editions of Touch

Grass, where there is more specific information. This endeavors to create an overview of the

space which holds so many important Portland outdoor institutions. Washington Park also

includes the Portland Zoo, an Archery Range, Tennis Courts, the World Forestry Center

Discovery Museum, as well as regular park locations and amenities, per the park’s own website.

With this many different attractions, trying to see all of Washington Park at one time is likely

impossible, especially when the entrance fees to some of the locations are taken into account.

While some locations: the Japanese Garden, World Forestry Center Discovery Museum,

and the Zoo charge admission, other areas of the park are free, such as the Rose Garden and Hoyt

Arboretum. 

Getting to the park is difficult via public transit, but through the bus and MAX it can

be done in about an hour, and the park is roughly a 15 min drive from Reed. With the long trip,

it’s good there are so many places within the park so it can easily be made into a full day trip.

There are locations to purchase food within the park as well, but it is not cheap. Luckily, picnic

spots abound, and people can even be seen eating within some of the specific attractions, such as

taking lunch on the Rose Garden’s many stone benches. The park at large is open 5am-10pm

daily, though individual attraction timings vary. Washington park’s website has sections on each

attraction, and links to their specific websites when available, for more specific information.

The land for Washington Park was acquired by the city in 1871, and has gone through

many transitions since then, detailed on its section of the Portland.gov website. The most recent

project is the Washington Park Reservoirs Improvement Project, which aims to be completed in

2025, “replacing reservoirs that have served the city since 1894 with a new 12.4-million gallon,

seismically reinforced underground reservoir.” This project has its own section on the

Portland.gov website, to keep up to date with its progress. Of the park’s origin story, “City Park,

as Washington Park was originally known until 1912, developed slowly. In 1885, the city hired

Charles M. Myers as its first park keeper. A native of Germany and a seaman, Myers had no

formal training but enthusiastically began to develop the park by using his memories of

European parks as a guide.” These touches can still be seen today.

The Portland Zoo specifically has a fascinating history in the park, and originally the zoo,

created by Dr. Richard B. Knight, “began as an animal attraction in the mid-1880s. Dr. Knight

was an English-born seaman who became a pharmacist upon moving to Portland. He purchased

two bears (a grizzly named Grace and a brown bear named Brownie) along with other animals

from his seafaring friends and exhibited them on a vacant lot next to his downtown pharmacy.” It

was transferred to near where the reservoirs are now, where “he constructed the bear pit, which is

believed to have been the first sunken, barless cage anywhere in the world. In 1925, the zoo

moved to a higher location, the present site of the Japanese Garden. The zoo opened at its present

location in 1959 and in the 1960s its management was transferred to Metro.” More of this history

can be accessed on Washington Park’s section of the Portland.gov website.

While the park is sprawling, there is also ample parking scattered around, including some

lots located directly next to attractions. Some of these lots require parking payment, like that at

the Japanese Garden, but not all do and street parking is free. There is a specific Washington

Park lot that is the easiest to get to and park in, which has a $2 parking fee. The park is a popular

destination, so finding parking during the weekends may be difficult, especially this Fall due to

reservoir construction, according to the Washington Park website. There is also a free daily

shuttle around the park, if mobility is a concern. The park’s website has more information on the

operation of the shuttle. The website also includes a section about upcoming events, which

includes items from throughout all the attractions in the park. To learn more check them out on

Instagram @explorewashingtonpark and visit its section on the Portland.gov website. So, go out

and touch grass in Washington Park!

2 December 2024

Perfect for all the literary interested Reedies, “The park and the neighborhood, platted in

1889, are named after Sir Walter Scott’s 1821 novel Kenilworth, a romantic novel set in

Elizabethan England. Many of the streets in the neighborhood took their names from this novel

and other novels by Scott,” per the Portland.gov website. The website goes on to state that the

original design for the park is still very present today, including a comfort station pavilion added

in 1912, which was designed by “Ellis Lawrence in the 20th Century Classic style, it is

significant for its cubist form and decorative brickwork arches. Originally the arches were open

and provided unobstructed views of the city; in 1983, in order to curb vandalism, metal doors

were added to close off the pavilion when not in use.” These elements highlight how even simple

everyday places like parks can hold history and connect communities.

Kenilworth Park is located close to Reed on Holgate Blvd., just a 14 min walk from

campus, though there is no better public transit route. The park was acquired in 1909 and sits at a

little over 8 acres, per the Portland.gov website. It is situated between a school and a

neighborhood, so it is a very active area. The park includes an “​​Accessible Picnic Area,

Accessible Play Area, … Softball Field, Tennis Backboard, [and] Volleyball Court,” as well as

restrooms and water fountains, per the Portland.gov website, which also states that dogs must be

leashed throughout the park. The Pacer App website has a loop route in the park that is 0.3 mile

(1,000-step), which has next to no elevation change and is rated as an easy walk. There is easy

street parking around the park, with paved paths throughout. The park is open 5am-midnight

daily, with sports field reservations available by calling 503-823-2525. To learn more visit its

section on the Portland.gov website. So, go out and touch grass in Kenilworth Park!

9 December 2024

Covered in “Touch Grass” three times already, this article will be similar to the recent

November 22, 2024 “Touch Grass: Washington Park”, an overview of a larger space that

includes multiple smaller sites to visit. The individual sites explored in previous Touch Grass

editions are February 25, 2024 “Touch Grass: Horsetail Falls”, April 6, 2024 “Touch Grass:

Multnomah Falls”, and April 13, 2024 “Touch Grass: Chanticleer Point”. The Gorge sits less

than 30 min northeast by car from Reed, on the border of Oregon and Washington, so knowing

how much is available there can be useful when planning an outing, as it is such an endeavor.

Public transit is not a viable option to explore the Gorge, however there are day trips available

for purchase. Sites such as GetYourGuide offer day trips, especially exploring the waterfall

corridor in the Gorge. These tours aren’t cheap, running over $80 per person, but could be an

option for when people are visiting.

The Columbia River Gorge is “a spectacular river canyon, 80 miles long and up to 4,000

feet deep, that meanders past cliffs, spires, and ridges set against nearby peaks of the PNW’s

Cascade Mountain Range,” according to its section on the Forest Service website. This is an

expansive area, but this article is most concerned with “The first 18 miles of the Historic

Columbia River Highway from Troutdale to Dodson boast iconic panoramic views of the wide,

majestic Columbia River that give way to a lush, mossy forest and spectacular waterfalls. Bring

your camera, a picnic and your hiking shoes as you explore the following state parks along the

way,” per the Oregon State Parks visitor’s guide, available online. This guide also highlights the

sites within the Gorge, which include the three listed above as well as the Portland Women’s

Forum State Scenic Viewpoint, Vista House at Crown Point State Scenic Corridor, Guy W.

Talbot State Park, Shepperd’s Dell State Natural Area, and Bridal Veil Falls State Scenic

Viewpoint (which is close to Horsetail Falls). More information on these sites, as well as

campgrounds in the area and other services, can be found within the guide.

With a car the price of an outing to the Gorge decreases drastically, as all of the sites

within the area have no entrance fees, save for Multnomah Falls which requires reservations

during peak season, which can be made online for a $2 fee. Free to park car lots are also

scattered around, though it is important to note that travel within the Gorge is on winding roads

and often time consuming, which should be kept in mind when planning a trip with multiple

stops. Due to the rural nature of the area winter weather and fires can also be serious hazards.

Check online before planning and executing any trips to the area. To learn more visit its section

on the Forest Service website. So, go out and touch grass in Columbia River Gorge!

4 February 2025

Still struggling to come up with a spring break plan? From the Bay Area or lower and

looking to make your drive home into a road trip? The redwoods may be the perfect stop. With

some situated conveniently right off a major freeway, they can be a quick stop or a full trip,

depending on the level of hiking and nature immersion you’re looking for. Camping and hotels

are plentiful around the redwoods, and the drive down from Portland is roughly eight hours, so it

is a large trip. If you choose to just drive through the redwoods, there are actually places you can

drive through a redwood, since the trees are so large. One of these trees is located on the Avenue

of Giants, a good quicker redwood stop as it winds next to highway 101, so you can easily enter

the magic of the forest, while on a larger road trip.

Redwoods stand as the world’s tallest trees, and while pictures of them are striking,

nothing is quite like walking amongst them. Standing so small on the ground, the world feels

muffled, in silent reverence for the ancient lives all around. Looking up the world almost seems

to spin, as the trees go on and on into the sky, stretching far above, their leaves creating a

temperate and damp microclimate below. Nature brings peace even in small amounts, but the

tranquility in the redwoods is unmatched. To learn more visit its section on the National Parks

website. So, go out and touch grass in the redwoods!

10 February 2025

This column has covered many parks near to Reed, with Berkeley being the last of those

in easy walking distance. While a small park at just under six and a half acres, Berkeley is

perfect for anyone in need of a sports area, with tennis courts, a baseball field, soccer field,

softball field, and horseshoe pit to boot, according to its section on the Portland.gov website.

While the website stipulates dogs must be on-leash at all times, it is also a good area for walking

dogs, with large stretches of grass. The park’s play structure is relatively new and well

maintained, and if no children are present the seated seesaw is the perfect setting to imagine a

horse drawn carriage, perhaps in a universe where the wheel was invented as a hexagon.

Berkeley Park was “purchased as part of a 20-acre neighborhood tract in 1941 with funds

from a 1938 tax levy. Housing was developed except for a 6.5 acre tract which was designated

for a potential park,” per the park’s section on the Portland.gov website. After some back and

forth, the land eventually became Berkeley Park. One of the most notable parts of the park from

the street is the tennis courts, which the Portland.gov website notes were dedicated “on July 27,

2014, the Alex Rovello Memorial Courts are the result of the efforts of Alex’s parents, Geri and

Jim Rovello, who lost their son in a tragic accident in spring 2013. Alex learned to play tennis at

the age of two at Berkeley Park.” Rovello went on to play tennis throughout his schooling,

making the courts a fitting tribute.

Berkeley park includes an accessible restroom, though when the park was visited for this

column, the restrooms had signage on them stating “Closed for the season”. There are also paved

paths in the park, and a picnic table. Located within a neighborhood, street parking is ample on

the many side streets around the park. The drive to the park would take just two minutes from

Reed, with the walk being a mere 14 minutes, with no obvious public transit route available.

While certainly far from the most flashy local park, Berkeley park is still a spot of open green,

and a welcome moment of calm in the world. To learn more visit its section on the Portland.gov

website. So, go out and touch grass in Berkeley Park!

19 February 2025

The Reed Canyon changes with every season, bringing flowers, rain-soaked paths, and

plenty of green through campus. About once a year, something even more magical takes

place—a snow day! When it snows, the Canyon transforms into a winter wonderland, with ice

crusting the lake, snow piling on mossy branches, and soft powder muffling sounds along paths.

While this is an amazing light to see the Canyon in, extra safety precautions must be taken,

especially if there have been heavy winds or ice recently. The college will generally send out

warning emails when the Canyon is deemed unsafe, so check for those before heading out. It is

also good to be mindful of fallen or falling branches, and of course ice on paths, especially the

little bridges dotted throughout the Canyon. To learn more read the first ever edition of Touch

Grass, on the Canyon generally. So, go out and touch grass in the Reed Canyon!

24 February 2025

Oregon park is a quant little city park at just under 3.3 acres, but has been around for a while with the land being acquired by the city in 1940, per the park’s section on the Portland.gov website. The park itself is nestled into a calm older neighborhood, but just one block over on Glisan St. sit many local businesses that may be worth checking out in conjunction with a park visit. The park itself is a great place to relax with a book or host a picnic, resting on the picnic benches and admiring the many massive trees within the park’s small plot.

Oregon park’s amenities include a delightfully authentic playground complete with metal

slide, picnic area, bathroom, basketball court, and both paved and unpaved paths. A map of the

park is available on the Portland.gov website, including the newly added nature patch, a “small

but mighty native garden” completed in 2024. Located a 15-20 minute drive from Reed by

Ceasar E. Chavez Blvd., the drive to the park includes a trip on one of Portland’s few

roundabouts. Street parking is available all around the park. It is also accessible via public transit

in around 40 minutes. As with all Portland parks, Oregon park is open 5am-midnight daily.

There is no off-leash area, per the Portland.gov website. To learn more visit its section on the

Portland.gov website. So, go out and touch grass in Oregon Park!

3 March 2025

Hazeltine Park is a very new park with the land only acquired in 2001, and spanning just

over one acre of land, it was named “in honor of longtime neighborhood residents Dick and Opal

Hazeltine. Dick is considered by many as a ‘founder’ of the Brentwood-Darlington

neighborhood [where the park is located]. For several decades, he has been at the forefront of

many neighborhood improvement initiatives, including the building of the community center,

establishing the neighborhood watch program, and organizing neighborhood clean-ups. His

tireless efforts resulted in the development of the Nehalem property into a neighborhood park,”

according to the park’s section on the Portland.gov website. Hazeltine Park is a small break in a

neighborhood, a pause of green located a five minute drive, or around thirty minutes walking or

on public transit from Reed. The park is on the way between Reed and Clackamas, and thus

could be a part of a larger trip there.

The park is open from five am to midnight daily, and there is no off-leash area. Amenities

include a horseshoe pit and nature patch, which “includes a variety of flowering native and

ornamental pollinator-friendly plants, two wildlife trees carved with critter niches, a picnic area,

and several nature spots with logs and boulders,” according to its section on the Portland.gov

website. This nature patch is part of a wider Portland Parks and Recreation project to add these

patches to many parks across the city. To learn more about this nature patch and the project as a

whole, Portland Parks and Recreation has created a YouTube video on it. To learn more about the

park visit its section on the Portland.gov website. So, go out and touch grass in Hazeltine Park!

18 March 2025

The Oregon Zoo’s mission is “Together for Wildlife”, and is “a hub for science,

conservation, education and animal well-being delivering the highest quality of care to 165

species and subspecies,” according to its website. The zoo also states it inspires “guests and

community members of all ages, abilities and backgrounds by creating safe, welcoming spaces.

Through their tickets and memberships, as well as support from the Oregon Zoo Foundation, we

are able to make a difference for wildlife at home and around the world. Our community’s

support helps us protect more than 20 endangered and threatened species — from California

condors to Oregon silverspot butterflies.” Visitors can see many of these species during their

time at the zoo, including the currently internet viral elephants.

Recently on February 1 2025, a new elephant calf was born named Tula-Tu, who can be

seen usually with the rest of her herd from around 10 am - 2 pm daily inside Forest Hall. She can

also be seen across social media as mentioned, including on YouTube. A record 13 California

condor chicks also hatched recently, great news for conservation efforts. The condors will “stay

with their parents for at least eight months before moving to pre-release pens for about a year.

Eventually, they will travel to a wild release site to join free-flying condors in California and

Arizona,” according to the zoo’s website, which also states there are currently only 560 condors

in the world, emphasizing how important these conservation efforts are for the species. The zoo’s

website contains a “News” section including more information on the California condor chicks

and other things happening at the zoo.

The Oregon Zoo emphasizes conservation in its mission, including a section on its

website titled “Small Actions”, with sections on how individuals can help with conservation

efforts for specific species. For salmon, a local Pacific Northwest species of concern, the website

recommends using Seafood Watch, and using nontoxic products in yards and at home so as not

to pollute water. A more local way to get involved is to join the zoo’s Cascades Pika Watch.

Pikas are an indicator species, and “volunteers conduct 1-2 monthly sitting surveys to track and

log pika presence in the Gorge and across the region. Sites are accessed via public hiking trails,

and no special skills are required, other than a willingness to learn and a desire to contribute to

scientific knowledge. Volunteers can opt to receive in-person or virtual training on identifying

pikas in the field. They will then choose survey sites, where they will scan the boulders for signs

of movement while listening for the pika’s calls,” according to the zoo’s website. Donations to

the zoo and other conservation groups are of course always an option as well, to those with the

Means.

The Oregon Zoo is located on “64 forested acres” according to its website. Open daily

9:30 am - 5:30 pm, admission to the zoo is $26.00 for adults and no student discount is

advertised on the website. Reserving tickets in advance through their website is recommended,

especially as the busy season begins. The Oregon Zoo is located in Washington Park, covered on

November 22 2024 in Touch Grass. The zoo is around a half hour drive from Reed, dependent

on traffic, and public transit would take roughly an hour, including some walking periods.

Parking around Washington Park is generally paid at $2.40 an hour, though there are some free

spots farther out. To learn more about the zoo visit its website, oregonzoo.org. So, go out and

touch grass in the Oregon Zoo!

30 March 2025

Are you an avid “Touch Grass” reader who’s beginning to tire of the endless Portland

Parks? Is each week starting to blend together for you into a mass of green and sports fields and

opening times? Well then suit up, because this edition is just what you need to get out of that

funk! Located just a short ten light year spaceflight from Reed, or a roughly 1.47 billion hour

walk, the planet Gamma Mermai is perfect for a quick stroll or an extended visit. With lush red

fields of grass around the planet’s cities, as well as shiny manicured gardens within their many

biodomes, the planet truly has something for everyone.

First contact with Gamma Mermai was made by Portlander Dick Fagan, featured in

another Touch Grass for his founding of the world’s smallest park, Mill Ends Park. Gamma

Mermai is a little bigger than Mill Ends Park though, sitting at around 1,347,904 acres to the

park’s 0.00007205784. Fagan was able to form a relationship with the Mermaians, and together

with their then Head of Parks and Recreation Glip Glorp, started the Earth - Gamma Mermai

Travel System, enabling people from both planets to visit the other. From the start their mission

was exploratory in nature, and they protested heavily against the extraction of resources from

one planet to the other. They eventually allowed some exchanges to take place under emergency

circumstances, as well as loosening their guidelines around scientific ventures after pressure

from the public.

Today, the Earth - Gamma Mermai Travel System has grown significantly, but stays

close to its founders ideals of adventure. Tourists from Earth can visit many museums on the

planet, but Fagan and Glorp made sure each planet’s natural landscapes took precedence,

establishing well-kept camping sites and numerous hiking trails around the surface of Gamma

Mermai. Glorp also made a trip to Earth, and helped cultivate the International Rose Test Garden

and Woodstock Park, both featured in previous editions of Touch Grass. During his time here

Glorp was rumoured to have said, “Portland might’ve been the nicest city in the ‘Verse, but my

hometown Meep had to come in and blow it out of the water. Ah well. So long Earthlings, and

thanks for all the fish!”. The only surviving pictures of Glorp’s visit consist of him enjoying food

truck delicacies while sitting in Portland’s many parks and gardens.

Shuttles to Gamma Mermai leave PDX every Friday morning, and cost 27GMD for a

round trip ticket. While accommodation in the cities is not cheap, there are many camping sites

throughout the plains. Check the Gamma Mermai tourism website for availability and specific

pricing. The planet is best in what are our spring months, so now is the time to visit! Once Earth

summer starts the temperature will drop on Gamma Mermai to below livable human levels,

making travel outside of the cities impossible. To learn more visit its website,

gamma.mermai.org. So, go out and touch grass on Gamma Mermai!

8 April 2025

Ventura Park was acquired by the city in 1986, and sits at 7.18 acres per the portland.gov

website. The park’s playground was fully renovated in 2017, “including the addition of new

accessibility features, with funding from the 2014 Parks Replacement Bond. Thanks to a

partnership with Playworld, Ventura Park’s new playground features the PlayForm 7, a piece of

play equipment designed to get people thinking, talking, sharing ideas, and engaging in outdoor

spaces in new and meaningful ways.” This renovation also included the installation of a “series

of three public art sculptures called the Venturia Trio (The Imp, Twine, and Sprung) by Portland

artist Pete Beeman.” This park is one of the more recently renovated parks in Portland, and it is

clear from the great quality and accessibility of the park now.

Ventura park boasts many amenities, like an “Accessible Picnic Area, Accessible

 Restroom, Universal Access Play Area, Picnic Table, Playground, Paths (Paved), [and a] Pump

Track,” according to its section on the portland.gov website. The pump track is a special offering

of this park as they are rare in Portland parks, and it is actually the first. Per the portland.gov

website, “A pump track is a continuous dirt loop that can be ridden on a bicycle without the need

for pedaling. Pump tracks have banked turns and rolling hills to maintain momentum. This pilot,

or demonstration project, was built and is being maintained by the Northwest Trail Alliance

(NWTA) under a formal agreement with Portland Parks & Recreation. The site is being

monitored carefully during the ongoing trial period. PP&R is looking for continued good

stewardship and community support. The track is not designed for skateboarders or BMX

riders.” During the afternoons, many young people use the track so it seems to be doing well in

this trial, a good sign for the addition of these tracks overall.

The park is located a roughly 20 min drive from Reed, a little under an hour by public

transit. There is a dedicated parking lot. As with all Portland parks, it is open 5 am to midnight

daily, and sports fields can be reserved by calling 503-261-8399. All dogs must be leashed in the

park. To learn more visit its section on the portland.gov website. So, go out and touch grass in

Ventura Park!

14 April 2025

Reed’s campus provides many opportunities for scenic walks, even just getting from

dorm to classroom can include a magical venture through the Canyon. The scenery doesn’t stop

at Reed however, as Portland is a place filled with green, so much so that it overflows, moss

bursting through sidewalks and crusting car doors. You’d be hard pressed to take a walk around

here and not touch some grass. So this week, “Touch Grass” is here to remind you that while

parks and gardens are amazing, taking an arduous public transit journey or driving a car

someplace is not the only way to get out in nature, at least where we are around Reed. Even if a

park or garden is what you desire, the Crystal Springs Rhododendron Garden, Woodstock Park,

Kenilworth Park, Berkeley Park, and Westmoreland Park are all under a thirty minutes’ walk

from Reed. To learn more about any of these places, check out their features in previous “Touch

Grass” editions on the Quest website.

Life gets busy, and a trip to a green space can seem a daunting task, like forcing oneself

to go to the gym, and it’s times like this where a nice purposeful walk comes in handy.

Downtown Woodstock has the essentials like Safeway, but also hosts many nice restaurants and

other offerings, some of which are covered in the Quest column “Woodstock Wanderings”. This

is a great destination to shoot for from Reed’s campus, as the walk there is a challenging uphill,

but the return is downhill. This is also true of the walk to Woodstock Park, which could be

combined with Woodstock for a picnic. As the weather gets nicer, spending time outside is easier

than it has been in months, so is a good time to brush up on things. If you are looking for a

longer walk, heading in the opposite direction to Sellwood provides another great miniature

downtown neighborhood, and has its own small grocery store if you want to combine the walk

with an essential chore.

Taking any of these walks is not feasible for everyone of course, and that is fine! Many

“Touch Grass” articles focus on trips one can take with a choose-your-own-adventure approach

to the level of physical activity required. In this spirit, there are some walks that may be more

accessible, such as staying on campus. The two bridges at Reed provide great views to the

Canyon, while remaining far more accessible than the muddy paths below. The Rhododendron

Garden is also free to access for Reed students just by showing Reed ID at the ticket booth, and

has paved paths and benches that make it a far more accessible option than the Canyon, and it is

only slightly farther away. Even if the walk to class is all you can manage, there are still so many

beautiful trees, flowers in bloom, and all manner of twittering birds and sunlight leaves to enjoy

on even the shortest of outdoor ventures. To learn more visit the outdoors. So, go out and touch

grass all around you!

14 April 2025

In this 42nd edition of “Touch Grass”, here is a highlight list of some of the “Touch

Grass” greatest hits from the past two years of writing. Each place visited has its own merits, and

this list may not be correct for you, if looking at the entire backlog is overwhelming this is a

good place to start, with some of this author’s favorite spots. A few categories of interest have

been created, to help orient the list.

Best Paid Visit: Portland Japanese Garden (bonus- rest of Washington Park)

Founded in 1963, the Portland Japanese Garden is renowned for its complex network of

paths and plants, ensconced within Washington Park. The Garden was founded after World War

II to be a place of healing and peace, despite resistance efforts, and now brings in over 350,000

guests annually, a number that increases every year. ADA-compliant, the Garden has worked to

be able to bring the tranquility and beauty of nature and design to many people, even providing a

complimentary shuttle up the hill from the parking lot to the main garden, for those unable to do

the walk. The space not only has stunning views and outdoor areas, but also a gift shop one can

get lost in, two spaces for rotating art exhibits, a tea house, and a café serving tea and small

dishes, where a reservation is recommended and well worth it. The Japanese Garden itself is the

main event however, with it actually being segmented into five different gardens: the strolling

pond garden, tea garden, natural garden, sand and stone garden, and the flat garden.

Runner Up: Sauvie Island Pumpkin Patch | Covered: 18.Oct.24

Bella Organic Farm, the family farm on Sauvie Island, has hosted The Pumpkin Patch

since 1967, and it’s open annually each October. The Patch hosts plenty of pumpkins to choose

from, and patrons can wander and select the perfect one from the vine, or purchase pre-picked

pumpkins closer to the front. According to the Patch’s website, the farm boasts a produce

market, patio cafe, Pumpkin Perk Coffee, Pumpkin Cottage Gift Shop, The Maze, and 1929 Big

Red Animal Barn. At The Pumpkin Patch, one can grab an apple cider doughnut and go for a

wander in the corn, passing over bridges that let them see across the maze, to the tractor-pulled

hayride and the sprawling pumpkins beyond. The Patch is open daily from 10:00am–6:00pm.

There is no admission fee, so the experience is customizable with hayrides, corn maze, shopping,

food, and drink as available add-ons.

Most Worth the Travel: Multnomah Falls (bonus- rest of the Columbia River Gorge)

Multnomah Falls is actually one of many waterfalls along the Historic Columbia River

Highway, another of which is Horsetail Falls. As Travel Portland says, “Oregon is a state where

water regularly flows down from on high. Multnomah Falls — all 620 feet (189 m) — stands

above the rest as Oregon’s tallest waterfall.” There are also ways to view the Falls without

undertaking any amount of hiking, and more information about the accessibility of the site is

present in a video on the Forest Service website. The main viewing areas of the Falls, as well as

the hiking trail and the picturesque bridge across them are all free to the public, however during

the summer months a timed use permit is required, which are available online.

Runner Up: Tom McCall Waterfront Park | Covered: 2.Mar.24

Positioned right across the street from Mill Ends Park, Tom McCall Waterfront Park

occupies a much larger area, at 30.9 acres stretching along the bank of the Willamette in

downtown Portland. The park’s land was acquired in 1927, and, according to the Portland.gov

website, a favorite of Touch Grass, “the idea for this park came at the turn of the century when

the 1903 Olmsted Report pointed out the need not only for parks within the city, but for a

greenway scheme for the riverbanks in order to ensure their preservation for future generations.”

It was completed and dedicated in 1978, gaining instant popularity. The park contains many

paved pathways often along the river’s edge, as well as an interactive fountain for the summer

months and plenty of green space. Like Reed, the park is also famous for its cherry blossoms in

the spring, though the views of the river are perennially gorgeous.

Most Novel: Mill Ends Park | Covered: 12.Feb.24

Certified by the Guinness Book of World Records in 1976, Mill Ends Park is a whopping

0.00007205784 acres, 452 square inches, or to put it more clearly, 2-feet across, according to its

section on the Portland.gov website. The park is named after journalist Dick Fagan’s Oregon

Journal column Mill Ends, which are the “rough, irregular pieces of lumber left over at lumber

mills,” according to Portland.gov. This, “like its namesake for leftover lumber — detailed odd

and irregular tidbits of information and interesting stories,” per Travel Portland.

Runner Up: no contest here.

Best in Easy Walking Distance: Reed College Canyon | Covered: 22.Sept.23

This 28-acre watershed has been a state wildlife refuge since 1913. The Canyon has been

through a lot with the college, at one time even boasting a swimming pool. However, since 1999

the college has made serious efforts to restore the Canyon to a natural state, and protect the space

as a habitat for many different species. There are a few routes that can be taken through the

Canyon as a substitute for using the bridges, making getting into the Canyon as easy as taking a

new route home from class. In addition, there is a main long path that does a loop around the

Canyon, which is a great long walk, dotted with many places to sit, including a chess board

beneath the Blue Bridge. There is even a little island to find, the perfect spot for a picnic or a

quiet chat.

Runner Up: Rhododendron Garden | Covered: 29.Sept.23

Located just off Reed’s campus, the Crystal Springs Rhododendron Garden was founded

in 1950 by the Portland chapter of the American Rhododendron Society. Per the Garden’s

website, the location was actually, “referred to as Shakespeare Island by students at Reed

because of the plays performed there.” A 9.5 acre garden, it boasts over 2,500 plants, giving a

special look into many varieties that are otherwise not represented in Portland. The Garden is

named for Crystal Springs Lake, which surrounds much of it and provides space for many

interesting bridges. Admission to the Garden is free with a Reed ID, however for anyone else the

price is $5. The Garden is open 10am-3:30pm most days of the week.

Best Overall: Westmoreland Park | Covered: 15.Nov.24

With many fun small bridges, boardwalks above water, and plenty of space to walk and

enjoy nature, the park has all one would need. Covering over 43 acres, the park feels vast with its

positioning in a long line, whereas one walks the scenery changes from Crystal Springs Creek, to

sports fields, to the pond, and back again on various paths snaking across the edge of

McLoughlin Blvd. All Trails also gives important accessibility information, saying there is one

accessible parking space in the “lot off of Southeast 23rd Avenue at the south end of the trail. It

does not appear to be van-accessible with a striped access aisle,” and that the trails are “paved

(with railings at bridges) and typically at least 5 feet wide. The estimated grade is gentle (all 3%

or less).” There are also many benches throughout the park for resting. There is ample street

parking across the length of the park.

Runner Up: Oaks Bottom Wildlife Refuge

Located in Sellwood, Oaks Bottom Wildlife Refuge is a roughly 162-acre floodplain

wetland, acquired by the City of Portland to become a city park in 1959, according to its section

on the Portland.gov website. Per the Friends of Oaks Bottom website, it then “became an official

wildlife refuge in 1988 and was Portland’s first urban wildlife refuge and Migratory Bird Park.”

The main draw of the Wildlife Refuge is a loop hike, which is a relatively easy 3.8-mile walk.

There are multiple lookout sections on the trail to rest, and it is suitable not to go all the way, but

instead turn around whenever it makes sense. While much of the hike explores views like those

described above, of the lovely wetlands, that is not all there is. Looming off to one side is a

massive building with a wetland bird mural painted across, Wilhelm's Portland Memorial

Funeral Home, Mausoleum, and Crematory. This is a century old eight story complex, and

according to an article in The Oregonian, the building holds “some 97,000 souls and is one of the

largest mausoleums on the West Coast.” The Mausoleum actually predates the Wildlife Refuge’s

city acquisition, being founded in 1901 originally as the Portland Crematorium.

You can also sift through any random editions of the Quest you happen to have on hand,

find the “Touch Grass” that is hopefully printed in the final pages, and see where you end up!

This will be the last “Touch Grass” from this original author as I graduate this semester, but any

readers are free to take up the mantle! All I request of future “Touch Grass” writers is to keep in

mind the ethos I had when working on these: keep accessibility in mind, finding fun things to do

outside for as many different Reedies as you can. Some things will be paid, some will need

transit, some may not have paved paths, but never all. The main point here is to just get outside,

and not have it be too intimidating. Good luck! To learn more visit the backlog of “Touch Grass”

on the Quest website. So, go out and touch grass!