Parks for America

Cover

Contents

Foreword

Summary

Findings and Recommendations

Planning Elements

Parks for America

U.S. 101 in Oregon, following one of the world's most spectacular coastlines, is suggested for development as a scenic road. (OREGON STATE HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT.)

OREGON

OREGON, with its 312 miles of rugged, scenic coastline, the great Cascade range, and other forested mountains, is a major outdoor recreation State.

The State's population was 1,768,687 in 1960, a 16-percent increase from 1950. It is predicted the 1976 population will be 2,415,000. The urban population increased 34 percent in the last decade. A large portion of this increase occurred in the Portland metropolitan area, which had a 1960 population of 821,897. Eastern Oregon is sparsely settled, with some sections averaging less than one person per square mile.

Recreation activities stand third in the economy, behind lumbering and agriculture. The income from tourist travel in 1960 was estimated to be $170 million. This source of income has a great expansion potential because of Oregon's wealth of scenic and recreation resources.

An excellent State highway system provides access to all principal recreation regions in the State. Out-of-State visitors traveling by air, train, and bus are served by major airlines, three major railroads, and two bus systems.

In addition to mountains and seacoast, Oregon's abundant recreation resources include the Columbia River Gorge, the Rogue and other large rivers, numerous mountain lakes, and some 30 million acres of ponderosa pine and Douglas-fir forests. Fishing, especially for salmon and steelhead, and big game hunting are of national interest. There are numerous sites associated with prehistoric Indians and westward expansion. Fort Rock Cave and Fort Astoria possess exceptional value in the history of the United States.

EXISTING PUBLIC AREAS

NATIONAL: The National Park Service administers one national park, one national monument, and one national memorial totaling 160,895 acres. The 1960 attendance was 499,000. There are 15 national forests containing 15,741,971 acres administered by the Forest Service. Included in these national forests are 523 recreation areas consisting of 2,822 acres; 17 winter sports areas, 1,685 acres; 10 wilderness, wild, and primitive areas, 749,227 acres; the Oregon Skyline Trail portion of the Pacific Crest Trail system; and the lower part of the Rogue River Trail. The 1960 attendance figure for these areas was 6,280,000. The Corps of Engineers administers 49,008 land and water acres in three reservoirs. The Bureau of Land Management manages eight recreation sites on Oregon and California revested railroad lands and 20 miles of the Rogue River Trail. An additional 17 recreation sites are now under construction. The Bureau of Sport Fisheries and Wildlife administers 11 national wildlife refuges totaling 445,753 acres. The 1960 attendance was 39,360. There is one national historic site in private ownership.

STATE: The State Parks and Recreation Division administers 153 areas on 59,991 acres. The 1960 attendance was 11,538,000. The State Game Commission manages 16 wildlife areas of 73,313 acres and 104 fishing access sites. There is one established State forest of 71,644 acres and 697,842 acres of additional forest land under the administration of the State Board of Forestry. The State Highway Department has 67 highway rest stops, scenic overlooks, and small picnic areas.

LOCAL: Sixteen county park departments have 116 parks totaling 7,464 acres. Nine municipalities have developed 10 nonurban parks on 7,129 acres.

PRIVATE ENTERPRISE: Timber companies and private power companies provide recreation facilities on their lands and reservoirs that are significant contributions to Oregon's overall recreation picture.

PARK AND RELATED NEEDS

There is need for the preservation of additional shorelands along the ocean, designation and protection of sections of some major rivers in free-flowing condition, and the provision of additional recreation opportunities in the Cascade Mountains. A shortage of day- and weekend-use parks and recreation areas exists near the Portland urban area and in eastern Oregon. Additional recreation facilities are needed on Columbia River reservoirs. The State park system is well established and operated. It might be strengthened by expansion, better distribution, and variety. The State has several historical parks which are well marked, but might be made more useful through interpretation. The University of Oregon is active in archeological research, but there is need for better site preservation; vandalism is extensive. Consideration should be given to the establishment of canoe trails, parkways, and scenic routes.

Existing and potential State areas identified in this plan total 173,641 acres; however, a large percentage of the potential park acreage is in nine areas in eastern Oregon not readily accessible to large urban centers. Additional State and local recreation areas will be needed to serve these centers.

RECOMMENDATIONS

Existing recreation resources and many potential areas are shown on the accompanying tabulation and map. The following recommendations are offered to help provide needed outdoor recreation opportunities for public enjoyment and use.

NATIONAL: Establishment of the proposed Oregon Dunes National Seashore and study of the desirability of establishing a Rogue National River.

STATE: Enlargement of the State park system by adding 1,670 acres to 3 existing parks and the addition of 2 new parks, 4 recreation areas, and 8 beaches; also further study of 5 other potential parks, 8 recreation areas, 5 scientific monuments, 5 historic monuments, 2 nature preserves, and 4 scenic roads. Designation and protection of a State parkway, five free-flowing streams, and one canoe trail on the Rogue River. Further study of 11 canoe trails and the Pacific Coast Foot Trail.

LOCAL: Establishment of additional county and municipal parks, recreation areas, and beaches. Recommended are one park, three recreation areas, and one beach. Further study is needed on 11 recreation areas.

Supporting recommendations include—

1. Broadening the present policy which tends to limit establishment of new State parks to along highways. This would permit expansion of the system to include all areas of statewide significance regardless of location. Those small State parks which are not logical units of the State park system might be transferred to other appropriate jurisdiction.

2. A study to determine the possibility of developing a hiking trail along the Oregon coast. This could be one of the outstanding trails in the country.

3. Provision of additional recreation facilities at nine important reservoirs.

(Table omitted from online edition)

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Last Modified: Mon, Sep 6 2004 10:00:00 pm PDT
parks_america/oregon.htm