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Blue Lake Natural Discovery Garden

Sustainable living  ›  Natural gardening  ›  Learning gardens  ›  Blue Lake

Smell the flowers, touch the leaves and feel inspired by this peaceful, playful demonstration garden at Metro's Blue Lake Regional Park in Fairview.

Fun learning activities for everyone

Gather ideas to make your yard pesticide free, safe and fun for kids, songbirds, lakes and streams. All ages can explore an active worm bin, dig for “fossils,” discover rub and sniff plants, find the softest leaves, and see what wildlife have to say about natural gardening.

Come for the garden and stay the whole day to enjoy the park's many recreational activities.

Blue Lake summer family activities

Each weekend will focus on a different theme with fun new activities to ignite creativity, teach safe, fun gardening and nature appreciation. Enjoy scavenger hunts, crafts, coloring and hands-on gardening in the new children’s vegetable garden. Suitable for ages 3 and up. Adult supervision required. 

Plant projects

Learn how seeds travel, stems sprout, plants grow, or how flowers make fruit in a beautiful kids garden. Enjoy fun activities such as make-and-take seed planting, seed mosaics, flower origami or leaf rubbings. View the calendar

Soil superheroes

Discover how worms help plants, beetles beat bad bugs, fungi fertilize soil, and how other wild creatures can help your garden grow. Dig in to an active worm bin, find “fossils” in the ground, make a soil superhero bookmark or create other cool soil crafts. View the calendar

Animal activities

Come see what creatures visit a garden and how they help it grow. Find animal footprints, see what brings butterflies and how to help birds eat better. Enjoy fun activities such as animal origami, footprint rubbings, or wildlife bookmark making. View the calendar

Water wonders

Explore how precious water helps plants and creatures thrive, and how to protect it from pollution. Discover fun activities such as lake creature explorations, water critter origami, or make safe cleaners out of vinegar. View the calendar

Location

Blue Lake Regional Park is located between Marine Drive and Sandy Boulevard off Northeast 223rd Avenue. From Interstate 84, take the Fairview exit (14) and go north on 207th Avenue to Sandy Boulevard. Turn right onto Sandy and travel east to 223rd and turn left. Proceed north to Blue Lake Road and the park. The garden is located right next to the water spray ground.

Bike there

Use the bike lane east on Marine Drive to Blue Lake Road or use the bike lane east on Halsey to 223rd Avenue and follow the signs north to the park. Exercise caution on 223rd Avenue and Marine Drive. Bicycles are welcome inside the park on paved paths.
Learn more about biking in the region

Related Links

Blue Lake Regional Park

Metro's Blue Lake Regional Park, located just 20 minutes from downtown Portland, offers a wealth of recreational opportunities for people of all ages.

Natural Techniques Demonstration Garden

Gather design ideas at Metro's demonstration garden in Southeast Portland to make your own yard a place of natural beauty.