The Beautiful Trails in Our Hillsboro Neighborhood

Oregon

Starting from Home ...

When we lived in Hillsboro, OR, having beautiful trails nearby in case we didn’t want to drive the distance but still wanted some fresh air, some outdoor light, and some miles in, has always felt like a blessing.

We have walked these well-paved trails and beautiful parks in all four seasons, and we discovered something new each time. The trails encouraged us to go out often, even on rainy days.

... to Orenco Woods Nature Park

Over a century ago, Orenco Woods Nature Park was the site of the Oregon Nursery Company (ORE-gon, N-Nursery, CO-company), the largest nursery on the West Coast, renowned for its Orenco apples.

The historic Malcolm Macdonald House, once owned by the nursery’s founder, still stands within the park. The distinctive “Seeds of Orenco,” a metal statue, is a lasting tribute to the nursery’s significant role in the region’s history.

Head over Heals

Another pleasant piece of artwork we discovered in the park is Patrick Dougherty’s. It’s interactive—children run through and around the artwork. He used willow and red-twig dogwood saplings to shape this Stickwork sculpture, Head over Heals.

Dougherty’s Stickwork sculptures often feature whimsical and surprising forms. He periodically builds a new sculpture in a different community, and his art installations can be found in many American states and various countries.

... to My Suburban Escape in Orchard Park

One of my favorite parks along the Rock Creek Regional Trail was Orchard Park, a relatively new park that opened in 2003. While I walked here, I knew I was in the middle of the suburbs; however, with its beautiful wooden bridges, boardwalks, woodlands, meadows, and viewpoints of the creek, it always felt like I was in the middle of rural America. The park was even more stunning when the beautiful cherry blossom trees bloomed. Orchard Park truly provided a much-needed suburban escape into nature for me.

... to Bethany Lake Park around the Rock Creek Golf Course

Another beautiful walk in the neighborhood was around the golf course. Instead of following the Rock Creek Greenway south, we went north, crossing Evergreen Pkwy. We walked clockwise or counterclockwise through the neighborhood to the NW Rock Creek Powerline Trail. On bright days, we could see the top of Mount Hood! We always walked carefully along the trail that cuts through the golf course.

Sometimes, we extended our hike and included an extra mile walking along Bethany Lake in Bethany Lake Park. I loved to bring my camera here to take pictures of the many birds that loved the lake and the trees.