St. Johns Prairie bike and pedestrian trail

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A new trail will give residents, visitors and commuters to St. Johns a new nature experience.

Metro scientist in a field of wildflowers at St. Johns Prairie

Metro staff seeded the site with sedges, camas, yarrow, daisies, different types of buttercups and dozens of other types of native plants.

rendering of multi-use trail at St. Johns prairie

The new paved trail will serve walkers, runners and cyclists – whether you’re commuting to work, getting exercise, or just enjoying the prairie. It will meet ADA standards.

the Columbia Slough along St. Johns Prairie

Visitors will enter St. Johns Prairie on a bridge that crosses the Columbia Slough.

St. Johns Prairie with Smith and Bybee lakes in the distance

The proposed trail will end at an overlook with views of Smith and Bybee lakes, as well as Mount Hood, Mount Rainier and other natural areas.

field of wildflowers at St. Johns Prairie

During the habitat restoration effort, a careful mix of native plants, such as pink meadow checkermallow and yellow tarweed, was planted with the goal of attracting rare birds such as the western meadowlark and streaked horned lark.

The former landfill is capped with a plastic covering to contain methane and other gases released by decomposing solid waste. A series of pipes allows these materials to safely release.

Once a major landfill, the St. Johns Prairie has been transformed by Metro scientists and landscape architects into a thriving habitat for western meadowlarks, western painted turtles and other rare wildlife, making it a critical part of Smith and Bybee Wetlands Natural Area.

Now, Metro is beginning the design process for a multi-use trail that will open part of the prairie to the public. Community input will help shape the look, feel and values of the project.

This trail will connect to the regional multi-use trail that ends at Chimney Park. By linking the trail to regional trails, including the North Portland Greenway Trail and 40-Mile Loop, the project will connect residents, visitors and commuters in St. Johns to natural areas near the neighborhood. Metro planners are also coordinating with Portland Parks and Recreation and the Oregon Department of Transportation to construct a bridge over Columbia Boulevard for bikes and pedestrians, providing a protected way to safely cross this street.

Featured news

St. Johns Prairie blossoms at former landfill

By Yuxing Zheng
June 12, 2015 3:15 p.m.

A years-long effort is underway to transform a 240-acre former landfill into St. Johns Prairie, full of native plants to attract Western meadowlarks, streaked horned larks, Western painted turtles and other wildlife.
From trash to treasure – seeding change at St. Johns Prairie

By Elayna Yussen
Dec. 31, 2018 2:10 p.m.

Metro is transforming the landscape at St. Johns Landfill through a multi-year habitat restoration effort. Atop the closed landfill, a beautiful prairie is emerging – alive with native plants and wildflowers, rare birds and other wildlife.