Hiking in Mary S. Young Park

Oregon

March 2021

A Forest Haven by The Willamette River

For the first time since we arrived in West Linn, we visited Mary S. Young Park. The park had just reopened after being closed caused by a devastating ice storm a few weeks earlier. The evidence of the storm’s impact was still visible. Trees had snapped like twigs due to the weight of freezing rain.

The storm must have drastically altered the landscape. Even though we’d been hiking here two years prior, we barely recognized the area.

.

We followed the trail down to the stunning Willamette River. The views of the water were breathtaking, and the sunlight reflecting on its surface was sparkling. The serene atmosphere enchanted us as we stood by the banks, watching the river flowing slowly.

Return Visits

Since the park was only a mile from the Airbnb, I visited it twice for more enjoyable walks: once with my husband and once with Pattie. The stunning views must have captivated many locals, as shown by numerous memorial benches. After my walk with my husband, we returned directly to the Airbnb. To celebrate Pattie’s upcoming 70th birthday, we went to a local restaurant afterward for delicious snacks and wine.

The history and the name of this park were intriguing, so I did some research at home. Mary S. Young was a passionate green space advocate who gave Oregon the land to keep it a natural sanctuary accessible for everyone.