Molalla River State Park

April brought a ton of sunshine to Oregon this year. With this gift of nature, I took the opportunity to visit Molalla River State Park. My drive to the park was parallel to the river and I was enjoyed soaking up the journey. When I arrived at the park, the fir trees were reflecting perfectly off of the water. I took a fun walk along the water front and enjoyed every moment.

Sam studied the Molalla Indian Tribe at Montessori and we gave thanks to our Native People and shared blessings to their land.

Land Acknowledgement = It is important to acknowledge the ancestors of this place and recognize that we are here because of the sacrifices forced upon them. In remembering these communities, we honor their legacy, their lives, and their descendents -- past, present, and future.

Where Portland stands today are the historic homelands of several bands of Chinook-speaking people (including many Multnomah, Clackamas, and Watlata/Cascade villages). There were also Kalapuya (Tualatin villages) nearby and the Molalla people in the Willamette Valley. Today, their descendants are primarily members of the Grand Ronde and Siletz Confederated Tribes, with Chinook and other tribal relations at Warm Springs, Yakama, and the Chinook Nation.

In the reconstruction of this institution, let us acknowledge that it was founded upon exclusion and erasures of many indigenous peoples, including those on whose land we are standing upon today. This acknowledgement demonstrates a commitment from Lincoln High School to work to dismantle the ongoing legacies and ideologies of settler colonialism. (language from Lincoln High School in Portland.)

Explore more at www.traveloregon.com … Imagine combining a scenic drive, hiking, picnicking, fishing, boating, and wildlife viewing and a ferry ride all in one location. You can do it all at Molalla River State Park near Canby, Oregon.

This natural area sits at the confluence of the Willamette, Molalla and Pudding rivers. The flood plains of these rivers provide important habitat for waterfowl, wading birds, deer, small mammals, reptiles and amphibians. One of the largest blue heron rookeries in the Willamette Valley is located here.

Molalla River State Park has grassy field areas for picnics and games and a pet exercise area where you can let your dog run off leash. Fishing is a popular activity, and a boat ramp gives you convenient river access. No boat? You can cross the river on the Canby Ferry, located a quarter mile downstream. It's one of three ferries still in operation on the Willamette River. Fruit, vegetable and flower stands abound seasonally in some of the finest farmland in Oregon.