Photo By Adam Sawyer
Whether you hike, bike, stroll, run, picnic, or just ogle its beauty from afar, odds are you and your family have enjoyed the benefits of Forest Park at least a time or two. Stretching out along the Tualatin Mountains, the largest forested municipal park in the country is home to over 80 miles of trails, as many as 62 mammal species, and over 100 species of bird. If you live here, it’s easy to take the park for granted. As far as most people know, Portland’s perfect backdrop has always been there and always will be. The fact of the matter is, however, that the park requires the Herculean efforts of many just to stay properly maintained. Beyond that, Forest Park faces an uphill battle against invasive plant species, and the ongoing struggle to keep a forested corridor intact. The corridor is a vital stretch of land that allows animals to move freely between the park and the Coastal Range, and is a major reason for the diversity of wildlife in the area. The nonprofit Forest Park Conservancy exists to maintain, preserve, and protect the 5000-plus acres of Forest Park’s urban wilderness.
In order to raise money for the Conservancy and increase public awareness, the Conservancy hosts an annual event called the All Trails Challenge. Between March 3rd and October 1st, you and your family are invited to hike, run, bike, or ride on horseback through all 80 miles of the park’s trails. You can register as a single challenger or form a team. From there, raise pledges from friends and family, make a team donation, or both. There is no fee to register, and fundraising is not a mandatory part of the challenge.
The website alltrailschallenge.org has a number of tools and resources, including interactive maps to help plan your strategy and keep track of your progress. There are some incredible rewards for top fundraisers (a week in France, are you kidding!?), and all funds go toward the Forest Park Conservancy. The Sawyer Family team knocked off about 5 miles Saturday, but I’m sure there’s time for you guys to catch up.
The All Trails Challenge is an event that encompasses what it is to be an outdoor family in Portland. We get to explore every inch of Forest Park’s trails, hang out and have fun, and give back to our community by helping to protect and preserve one of the true gems of the Rose City.
-Adam Sawyer
Photo By Adam Sawyer
