Parks and nature investments

Go to the main menu
Go to the search form

Five times during the last two decades, voters across greater Portland have approved funding measures to support a network of regional parks, trails and natural areas. Learn how Metro uses the money to protect water quality, restore fish and wildlife habitat, and improve access to nature.

back next

17,000 acres and counting

Voters asked Metro to buy the region's most special land, before it's too late. Habitat is protected across the Portland metropolitan area, ensuring that nature is always close to home. Two bond measures have preserved 17,000 acres and 90 miles of river and stream banks, and supported hundreds of community projects.

Video

Go behind the scenes at three places protected by Metro's Natural Areas Program, and learn how voters have made a difference for the region’s water quality, wildlife habitat and outdoor recreation.

Explore your big backyard

Visit parks and natural areas

Whether you’re in the mood for a short hike or a weekend camping trip, a boat ride or a picnic, Metro has a destination for you.

Explore your big backyard

Newell Creek Canyon

Thanks to voters, Metro is investing a bond measure to purchase wildlife habitat and a levy to help care for regional parks and natural areas and improve them for visitors – including Newell Creek Canyon in Oregon City.

Learn more

Nature grants

Metro nature grants reward innovative ideas that connect communities with nature. Could your project be next?

Learn more

Metro operates a unique park system, one with nature at its heart.

Thanks to two decades of voter investments, Metro manages more than 17,000 acres of parks, trails and natural areas across every community in the region – from Chehalem Ridge on the west to the Sandy River Gorge on the east, from Blue Lake and Smith and Bybee Wetlands on the north to Graham Oaks on the south.

Voters have repeatedly trusted Metro to protect clean water, restore fish and wildlife habitat and provide opportunities for people to experience nature close to home.

To accomplish this, Metro has built and operates 14 parks, manages 14 cemeteries and offers three boat ramps. Four new parks are being designed or built right now. Metro purchases critical and rare habitat across the region. Metro scientists help heal damaged habitat by removing invasive plants and planting native trees, shrubs and flowers that support animals big and small.

Racial equity has become a key focus at Metro. The department is committed to making Metro’s parks and natural areas safe and welcoming places for people of color, connecting immigrant and refugees communities to nature, providing job training to young people of color and honoring the ongoing connection of Native people to the ceded lands Metro manages.

Across greater Portland, Metro supports community nature projects, from park building to stream restoration to pollinator gardens. By connecting residents and community organizations to each other, Metro helps build a greater sense of community as the community helps nature.

Explore Metro destinations

Calendar

News

Parks and nature bond update: Local share's first project and a public comment opportunity for walking and biking trails

Nov. 19, 2021 2 p.m.

The local share program just completed its first project, a land purchase by Gresham; the Nature in Neighborhoods capital grants program is taking applications for its design and review committee; there’s a public comment opportunity for the walking and biking trails program, and applications are about to start for the trails grant program.
Parks and nature bond funds protection of 8 acres and hundreds of trees in Gresham

By Cory Eldridge
Nov. 18, 2021 8:12 a.m.

Bond program supports parks and nature projects in local communities
Help shape regional trails for years to come

Nov. 9, 2021 5:49 p.m.

Weigh in on how Metro prioritizes trail investments.
Parks and nature bond update: Capital grants pilot participatory budgeting design, committee recruitment, trails open houses

Oct. 27, 2021 11 a.m.

The 2019 parks and nature bond measure refinement team has a matching flurry of activity to share with you over the next month. The Nature in Neighborhoods capital grants team, along with our partner Participatory Budgeting Oregon, are hosting two info sessions on its participatory budgeting pilot. And the walking and biking trails team has two open houses where community members can weigh in on how funds are directed to close gaps in the region’s trail network.
ECO and Wisdom of the Elders partner to connect young people to nature

By Cory Eldridge
Oct. 27, 2021 9 a.m.

Nature in Neighborhood grants adapts to COVID challenges.
Help shape Metro's parks and natural areas

Oct. 20, 2021 11:24 a.m.

Help guide Metro’s investments in parks and natural areas.
Opening soon: Newell Creek Canyon Nature Park

By Kelsey Wallace
Oct. 11, 2021 11:26 a.m.

The 236-acre nature park in Oregon City features 2.5 miles of hiking trails and 2 miles of dedicated biking paths.
Metro opens application for pilot participatory budgeting design committee

Sept. 28, 2021 10:45 a.m.

The Nature in Neighborhood's capital grants program will give community members a direct say in awarding $4 million in grants
Parks and nature bond update: Committee recruitment, information sessions and a roundtable with park providers

Sept. 24, 2021 noon

Upcoming opportunities include two events where you can learn more about the bond, an October coffee with The Intertwine Alliance where we’ll share about a potential levy renewal and one committee opportunity where you can help create a new way to fund community-led projects. The local share program also hosted a community roundtable on building culturally specific engagement and partnerships for park providers from across the region.
25 years of restoration at Newell Creek Canyon

By Kelsey Wallace
Sept. 15, 2021 10:33 a.m.

Restoration of natural area near Oregon City supports wildlife and fish