Willamette Park and Natural Area (2.7 miles from Corvallis)

1350 SE Goodnight Ave

287 acre Corvallis City Park by the Willamette River.

Picnic area: A large grassy area shaded by oak trees offers several picnic tables, plus the new Rotary Shelter that can be reserved, with four standard picnic tables, potable running water, and two large barbeque grills.

Playground and sports: A play structure in the picnic area features swings and slides. A popular Frisbee golf course winds through the woods around the soccer fields next to the picnic area. The larger Crystal Lake Sports Fields has a variety of open areas set up for baseball, soccer and other field sports.

Restrooms: Two Porta-potties at the picnic area, others are along the Crystal Lake Sports Field paved path and parking area.

Hiking: A paved path runs from the water treatment facility beyond the picnic area, through the adjacent Crystal Lake Sports Fields to the large parking lot and Willamette Boat Landing. There are several sitting benches overlooking the river along the paved path. A broad path winds along the river through an old growth riparian forest to the Crystal Lake parking lot, and offers access to the riverbank. A second narrower trail skirts the sports fields and parallels the forest trail. In summer this trail offers great blackberry picking. A third path wind around the sports fields on the other side; this trail is also has lots of blackberry bushes.

Pets: Dogs must be leashed in the picnic area, but can be off-leash on the hiking trails to run or swim in the river.

Birding: A notable birding area. Look and listen for forest birds, especially in the spring. Violet-green swallows twitter as they hunt for insects above the river and open fields. Vultures, ospreys, hawks and eagles may be seen flying over the river in summer.

Getting there: Take Highway 99W (3th Street) south out of Corvallis, through South Corvallis, to SE Goodnight Avenue. Turn left on Goodnight Avenue and continue to the end, where a dirt road leads to Willamette Park. Parking is on either side of the road in the park.