ABOUT THE PARK
The Friends of Gladstone Nature Park (FOGNAP) was organized in 2016 to maintain and rehabilitate the 11.5 acres of Gladstone Nature Park. We sponsor activities and projects that restore the park and attract visitors to enjoy its beauty. We welcome visitors from near and far.
Gladstone's Nature Park is located at 18111 Webster Road in Gladstone, Oregon.
It's part of the City of Gladstone's system of 14 parks. The Nature Park is predominantly a White Oak Savannah and woodland that features basalt outcroppings and boulders, and mature trees. The park features many Oregon native plants, including Oregon grape, ocean spray, Pacific ninebark, thimbleberry, Garry Oak, and Pacific madrone. In Winter, licorice fern dominates the shady areas. There is an abundance of wildlife to see here – grab your binoculars and watch.
In addition, there are picnic tables, dog waste stations, a little free library, a paved trail, numerous soft trails, and benches along the way to sit and take in nature. Enjoy your time here!
Gladstone's Nature Park is located at 18111 Webster Road in Gladstone, Oregon.
It's part of the City of Gladstone's system of 14 parks. The Nature Park is predominantly a White Oak Savannah and woodland that features basalt outcroppings and boulders, and mature trees. The park features many Oregon native plants, including Oregon grape, ocean spray, Pacific ninebark, thimbleberry, Garry Oak, and Pacific madrone. In Winter, licorice fern dominates the shady areas. There is an abundance of wildlife to see here – grab your binoculars and watch.
In addition, there are picnic tables, dog waste stations, a little free library, a paved trail, numerous soft trails, and benches along the way to sit and take in nature. Enjoy your time here!
Photos and text are property of FOGNAP; Photo copyrights where noted
NATURE PARK UPDATE
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NEW!
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FOGNAP member Cindy Hines is building a new garden on the Butterfly/Pollinator Hill at the Nature Park, featuring "Top 11 Pollinator Plants Native to Gladstone." Please visit often to check out the progress on this wonderful, new addition to the Nature Park.
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A NEW LOOK IN THE PARK
Gladstone Nature Park is getting a new makeover. With approval from the City, the Friends of Gladstone Nature Park (FOGNAP) has contracted a licensed restoration service to help restore three acres of the park to its natural habitat. The project began in January of 2023 to clear some of the most heavily infested areas of Himalayan blackberry and will continue working periodically throughout the year to keep them from returning.
Since 2015, FOGNAP members and community volunteers have been working diligently to clear Himalayan blackberry, English ivy, Scotch broom and other invasive species from the park. We have also been reseeding and planting in these areas with native species. FOGNAP would like to see entire park cleared of invasive blackberry, but is currently unable to contract having the entire park done due to budgetary reasons.
FOGNAP is a nonprofit, 100% volunteer group, highly committed to restoring the park to its natural state. All funds go toward restoration of the park. If you’d like to help by volunteering, becoming a member, or making a donation please contact us at friendsofgladstonenature@gmail.com.
Check out the photos below to see the changes...and read below the photos to find out why it's so important to remove invasive blackberry and ivy.
Since 2015, FOGNAP members and community volunteers have been working diligently to clear Himalayan blackberry, English ivy, Scotch broom and other invasive species from the park. We have also been reseeding and planting in these areas with native species. FOGNAP would like to see entire park cleared of invasive blackberry, but is currently unable to contract having the entire park done due to budgetary reasons.
FOGNAP is a nonprofit, 100% volunteer group, highly committed to restoring the park to its natural state. All funds go toward restoration of the park. If you’d like to help by volunteering, becoming a member, or making a donation please contact us at friendsofgladstonenature@gmail.com.
Check out the photos below to see the changes...and read below the photos to find out why it's so important to remove invasive blackberry and ivy.
Why Remove Invasive Blackberry And Ivy?
Foundation, USDA Department of Agriculture.
- Himalayan blackberry causes trees and plant seedlings to stop growing and die which leaves a forest or meadow with very low bio-diversity and eventually nothing but blackberry in place.
- It creates large areas of unusable habitat for many creatures. Even though blackberry has berries, the lack of bio-diversity causes a shortage of food for most animals most of the year.
- It causes a reduction of diverse flowers for pollinators.
- Older blackberry canes can build up a substantial litter layer which can serve as fuel for wildfires.
- The root balls of the blackberry make soil unstable for grasses and plants native to the area. Native grasses help the habitat. Not only do grasses bring multiple benefits to insects, birds, and other native wildlife, but also to general urban environments. Grasses have fibrous roots which hold soil in place, helping to build organic matter in the soil and increase water infiltration.
- Removing invasive blackberry and ivy is a difficult, ongoing battle across the nation, but if left to take over we lose more of our natural areas and the benefits from them.
Foundation, USDA Department of Agriculture.
SPECIES
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HISTORY
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THREE PARKS
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WHAT OUR NEIGHBORS ARE SAYING...
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"My nieces and I come to this park every other Saturday rain or shine and we love it so much. I cannot express how much I appreciate all the love and attention you all pour into the park in its general maintenance and appearance. As an aunt I also appreciate how diligently you track the poison oak. The signs are so helpful. We also love love love the nature items scavenger hunt activities posted by the message board at the main entrance. Thanks again."
– Pam White |
"I moved into the area in 2015 and remember thinking “it’s one paved path, it’s not a park, it’s a shortcut” Fast forward a few short years and WOW, it’s an excellent local park. We walk our dog through there multiple times per week and enjoy seeing all the changes and growth each year. Thank you to those who had this vision and the volunteers that keep making it better all the time. We’ll done!!"
– D. Fredericks |
"Great park tons of trails to walk on with your dog. Mine loves it here its always shaded on the trails which is nice and always mowed and kept clean. Right now there are tons of bunnies on the trails and wildlife. They label the plants so you see what they are too."
- Mandy Magnuson "Nice little park. It had a lot more going for it than I expected. We'll be back." – Dana Little |
"So pretty awesome how different this park is. Little trails everywhere. What's great is that they have little stakes next to trees and bushes so u can know what they are."
– Natasia Jones "Love our park a little more everyday. Thank you!" – Eric Dobson "We appreciate all you are doing. We love the trail and walk our dogs there all the time." – Ellen and John Skofstad |
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WANT TO GET INVOLVED?
FOGNAP Business Meetings |
Work Days In The Park
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2nd Thursday of every month
7:00pm Contact Us for Location // Gladstone |
Last Saturday of every month, unless noted
9:00am to 12:00pm, rain or shine Meet @ Webster Road entrance (unless noted) |
LOCATION
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©2023 Friends of Gladstone Nature Park (FOGNAP)
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