The only Oregon state park within the Portland [1] metro area, 645-acre Tryon Creek State Park (11321 SW Terwilliger Blvd., 503/636-9886 or 800/551-6949) offers eight miles of nature trails in a vernal woodland setting. Cyclists bike along the paved trail on the park’s eastern edge.
The park is also very active with events that include summer day camps for kids, guided nature walks, and special activities; for a list of events go to www.tryonfriends.org [2].
Streamside wildlife includes beavers and songbirds. In late March there are wondrous displays of trilliums, a wild marsh lily.
To reach the park, take I-5 Exit 297 south of Portland [1], follow SW Terwilliger Boulevard for 2.5 miles past Lewis and Clark College, and watch for signs for the park.
Links:
[1] http://www.moon.com/destinations/oregon/portland
[2] http://www.tryonfriends.org