Avery Park and Natural Area (1.25 miles from Corvallis)

1310 SW Avery Park Drive

73.5 acre Corvallis City Park along the Marys River, featuring sports fields, play areas, and a rose garden.

Map of Avery Park online:

http://www.corvallisoregon.gov/modules/showdocument.aspx?documentid=5419

Picnic area: There are lots of picnic options in Avery Park! The park has five reservable shelters, three large and two smaller shelters, plus additional single picnic tables. The Lions Picnic Shelter features a covered 93 foot long table carved from a single Douglas fir tree. The Maple Grove Shelter is in a secluded grove of trees by the Marys River. The large Thompson Shelter is in the central section of the park near the horseshoe pits. The Fireside Shelter is adjacent to the Thompson Shelter. The Townsend Shelter is at the parking area for the Locomotive and baseball fields. The Lions, Thompson and Maple Grove shelters all have electrical outlets, sinks, and potable water. All have barbeques.

Playground and sports: Play structures are at the Lions and Thompson Shelters. In the main part of the park, kids can climb on a historic locomotive or play hide and seek in a concrete 'dinosaur bone' sculpture area set in an open grassy field. For older kids and adults, there are baseball fields and horseshoe pits.

Restrooms: Three handicap accessible restrooms by the Thompson Shelter; four restrooms by the Lions Shelter, and restrooms at the Corvallis Parks and Recreation building.

Hiking: A one-mile wildflower trail loops around the park for jogging, walking, or birdwatching.

Pets: Dogs must be leashed in the park.

Birding: A notable area for forest and river birds.

Getting there: South of downtown. From Philomath Blvd (Hwy 20/34 bypass), exit at the 15th Street stoplight and cross the bridge south into the park. Or, from 99W South, turn west onto Avery Ave. which dead ends at the park.