Ladybug Walk- March 13th

Ladybug Walks are perfect for preschoolers and parents who want to explore nature in Portland's parks with trained preschool naturalists! Children are guided along the trails of various parks in all corners of the city by an Environmental Educator. Walks go at just the right pace and introduce children to forests, water, insects, plants, and animals!

On march 13th, everyone is meeting up at Tideman-Johnson Natural Area. It's near the restrooms/parking lot just off of Johnson Creek Blvd where it crosses the Springwater Corridor. Parking lot is just to the north of the Space-Pak warehouse at 4403 SE Johnson Creek Blvd. Bus #75

All walks begin at 10:00 AM, rain or shine. No pre-registration required. $4 per preschooler, no charge for adults. For more info, call 503-823-3601!

Children's Honeybee Hike

Every Wednesday at 10-11 am, ages 2-5 years explore the garden with a guide, learning about plants and looking for wildlife; followed by listening to a story or making a craft item. Each week is different. Remember to dress for the weather and all children must be accompanied by adult.  Please call or check main website page for possible cancellations. Pre-registration required for groups of 10 or more. 


Location: Meet at Leach Botanical Garden Manor House.  Get Directions
Cost: $3.00 per child, non-walkers and adults free.
Registration: Not required, but groups of 10+ children/adults must preregister 2 weeks in advance.
Ages: 2-5 years accompanied by an adult.
Contact: Education Coordinator email or call 503-823-1671.

Underground Portland Tour - 2PM Tour

Wednesday, February 4 at 2:00pm to 3:30pm

All the terrible, horrible, no good, very bad things from Portland's past! Expose the sins of Portland's past on this tour through Old Town and Chinatown!
They walk through the remains of the physical underground as well as exploring the underground subcultures, political underground and immoral underground of the city's sordid history, and expose the myths behind the legends of the so-called "Shanghai Tunnels."
This walk is a treat for lovers of all things sinister – crime, scandal and controversial characters – a no-holds-barred excursion into the worst Portland has to offer. They'll spend a majority of the tour street-side exploring the Old Town / Chinatown neighborhoods, so come dressed for the weather!
The tour lasts about 90 minutes and covers a little over a mile of distance.

*Do to the nature of the tour some of the topics covered may not be appropriate for small children.

Location:

Outside the old Merchant Hotel

202 NW Davis; Portland, OR

Website

http://www.portlandwalkingtours.com/tours/underground-portland-shanghai-tunnels-tour/

Cost

Adult: $20

Youth & Senior: $17

Child: $9

Warrior’s Rock Lighthouse Trail on Sauvie Island

Create your own scary tale as you walk along this leaf-enshrouded trail on Sauvie Island. Oregon’s smallest lighthouse, Warrior’s Rock, is still operating and makes an ideal destination for this 7-mile roundtrip hike. Is that the clippity-clop of the Headless Horseman in the distance? What will you find in the lighthouse at the end of the twisty trail? Plan a nice little picnic along with a hike around the lighthouse for a perfectly spooky day.

The Shanghai Tunnels

Said to be one of the most haunted places in Portland, these passages run underneath Old Town/Chinatown down to the central downtown section of Portland, Oregon. They connect the basements of many downtown hotels and bars, leading all the way to the Willamette River waterfront. Many people believe that the spirits of those who died in the tunnels from drugs, disease, injuries and murder are still there. Tours of the haunted tunnels are offered almost every day for kids ages 5 and up. They offer a daylight tour of the tunnels on select dates that is appropriate for kids ages 4 and up. Visit their website for details.

Witch’s Castle in Forest Park

Portland has a rich haunted history underneath its rosy façade. Some of these places may be a little too terrifying for little ones, but others provide a wonderful opportunity for a spine-tingling family trip and a great opportunity to learn a little something about Portland history or creepy creatures along the way!

Beginning from the Upper Macleay Trail Head (the parking lot just east of the Audobon Society) in Forest Park, you can ascend the short half mile along the river on the Wildwood trail to the “Witch’s Castle,” a dilapidated structure in the woods that will set imaginations afire. There is actually a very bloody legend about the former tenants of this forest home—but your kids don’t need to know that. It will be plenty scary just as it is.

Preschool Story and Stroll

This program integrates nature exploration, art, literature, movement, and outdoor play. It is geared toward families with young children ages 2-6, but all are welcome. Please pre-register online at www.tryonfriends.org. For more specific information, call (503) 636-9886 ext. 225.

Friday, March 21, 2014 - 1:00pm to 2:15pm

Address
Tryon Creek State Natural Area
11321 SW Terwilliger Blvd.
Portland, OR 97219 United States
Park/Trail: Tryon Creek State Natural Area

Venue: Tryon Creek State Natural Area
Cost: Free, but preregistration is required

Contact Information
Contact Name: Deb Hill
Contact Phone: 503-636-9886 ext. 225
Contact Email: Deborah.Hill@oregon.gov
Contact Website: http://www.tryonfriends.org

Weekend Guided Hike

Venture out with a park guide for a free, nature hike to explore the forest and stream ecosystems and natural history at Tryon Creek State Natural Area. Topics will vary from week to week but will be appropriate for all ages. Parents must accompany children on all hikes. No groups please- if you are interested in bringing a group please call the ranger at least two weeks in advance to make arrangements for alternate time. For more specific information, call (503) 636-9886 ext. 225.

Saturday, March 15, 2014 - 10:00am to 11:30am

Address 

Tryon Creek State Natural Area
11321 SW Terwilliger Blvd. Portland, OR 97219 United States

Park/Trail: Tryon Creek State Natural Area
Venue: Tryon Creek State Natural Area
Cost: Free

Contact Information
Contact Name: Deb Hill
Contact Phone: 503-636-9886 ext. 221
Contact Email: Deborah.Hill@oregon.gov
Contact Website: http://www.tryonfriends.org

Leach Botanical Garden

Leach Botanical Garden is located in a woodland hollow carved by Johnson Creek in southeast Portland. This botanical garden specializes in preserving the original Leach collection as well as introducing Northwest native plants through educational programs, conservation, and community involvement.
The collection of more than 2,000 different species and cultivars can be enjoyed on a self-guided tour that winds around the Manor House and along Johnson Creek, past stately trees, native and exotic shrubs, extensive displays of ferns, woodland lilies, and alpine plants. As one walks through the grounds, one sees towering fir trees, lush shrubbery, and fantastic wildflowers.
Leach Botanical Garden has often been referred to as "an oasis in an urban setting."

Address
6704 SE 122nd Ave Portland, OR 97236

Multnomah Falls

Fed by underground springs from Larch Mountain, the flow over the falls varies, usually it's highest during winter and spring.
Multnomah Falls offers one of the best places in the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area to study geology exposed by floods. Five flows of Yakima basalt are visible in the falls' cliff face.
Multnomah Falls Visitor Center is located off Interstate 84 or on the Historic Columbia River Highway (Oregon Highway 30) or call (503) 695-2372. Brochures, books and maps of the Columbia River Gorge and the Pacific Northwest. Northwest Forest Passes available
The Forest Service information center is open seven days a week form 9 AM to 5 PM. The desk is staffed jointly by the Friends of Multnomah Falls and the U.S. Forest Service. The staff is happy to serve you and answer your questions about the falls and the Columbia River Gorge.
A brochure about Multnomah Falls is available in Spanish, French, German, Japanese, Chinese, Korean and Russian.
Visitors may also inquire about free trail maps of the area and for the serious hiker several detailed maps can be purchased. 

Hiking Loops Near Multnomah FallsFrom the information center, visitors can follow the 1.2 mile trail that climbs approximately 600 feet to the top of Multnomah Falls. This trails provides great views of the falls and the Columbia River Gorge.
Once at the top of the falls, hikers can continue onward for six miles to the top of Larch Mountain or take the six mile Wahkeena Loop trail.
While visiting Multnomah Falls please practice the Leave No Trace Ethic by observing the following guidelines:

Stay on the paved trail at all times. 

Make sure that pets are on a leash and In control at all times. 

Do not litter or throw coins into the creek. 

Extinguish and properly dispose of cigarette butts. 

How to get to Multnomah Falls

Traveling West on Interstate 84, you may access Multnomah Falls via the Historic Columbia River Highway at Exit 35 or you may use the freeway parking lot by taking Exit 31.
If you are traveling East on Interstate 84, you may access Multnomah Falls via the Historic Columbia River Highway at Exit 28 or you may use the freeway parking lot by taking Exit 31
It is recommended that people with disabilities use Exit 28 (traveling East Bound) or Exit 35 (East and West Bound) for direct access to the lodge.
If you are traveling East and would like to see the key waterfall area in the gorge you may take Exit 17 or 18 and follow the Historic Columbia River Highway.