The Wilderness Way Community visited the Smith & Bybee Lake Park to see what can happen if we humans learn how to take care of what we have, and to restore what we have polluted. This natural area is the largest protected wetland within an American
city even though it is surrounded by port terminals, warehouses, and
other commercial developments. In 1990, the Portland Planning
Commission approved a management plan for the lakes. They determined
that Smith Lake would be maintained at a fairly constant water level
and developed for low-intensity water recreation, such as fishing and
canoeing. Bybee Lake, on the other hand, would be allowed to rise and
fall with the tides and seasons and would be kept as an environmental
preserve. One of the best kept secrets in Portland is Bybee and Smith Lakes, in
north Portland. It's one of the most isolated settings within the city. Home to
beaver, river otter, black-tailed deer, osprey, bald eagles and Western
painted turtles, this 2,000-acre wildlife area offers a paved trail
with two wildlife viewing platforms. Another very cool feature, an old-growth ash forest with Oregon Ash trees over 100 years old! To see some more pictures from our day at Smith and Bybee Lakes, click on this link |
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Nature Sunday >
Smith & Bybee Lake Park |
