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Wine Country
Six hundred acres of habitat are home to numerous migratory
birds and waterfowl. Sightings of shorebirds, songbirds and
waterfowl are common in the area's lakes, ponds, marshes and
woods, located at the apex of the Willamette Valley and Yamhill
flyways.
A nesting pair of bald eagles also call Fernhill home.
Enhance your chances of seeing your favorite bird or critter by
visiting the wetlands year-round. Or join the Friends of Fernhill
Wetlands, a group of volunteers working together to enhance and
preserve the wetlands area.
Clean Water Services recently completed the first phase of a five-
year enhancement project at the wetlands, which includes a new
trail segment and a Japanese garden, including a water feature, foot
bridge and new native plants.
Hagg Lake
Named after prominent Washington County dairyman Henry
Hagg, the 1,113-acre lake was created when Scoggins Dam was
built in the mid-1970s. Situated between Forest Grove and Gaston,
the lake and surrounding Scoggins Valley Park host thousands of
visitors every year who come to take advantage of countless
recreational opportunities.
The park is popular with bikers and birders and boaters, as well
as hikers, runners and anglers. The lake is stocked with rainbow
trout.
There are 15 miles of hiking/bicycling trails surrounding the
lake. Hikers and wildlife enthusiasts may encounter a variety of
songbirds and waterfowl, deer, elk, coyotes, bobcat, beaver and
squirrels.
The park offers numerous picnicking spots, a fully accessible
fishing pier, two hard surface boat ramps, food and boat rentals and
an 18-hole disc golf course.
To get to Hagg Lake, take Highway 47 south from Forest Grove
toward Gaston. Turn right at the Hagg Lake/Scoggins Valley Park
signs and drive 3.7 miles to the park entrance.
Wine Country
While exploring all that Western Washington County has to to
offer, why not include a stop or two at the many wineries and
restaurants clustered along Highway 47?
Sample world-class pinots grown and produced right on site.
Friendly tasting rooms with beautiful views of verdant vineyards
will leave you wanting to come back again and again.
Many of the area vineyards use biodynamic farming methods
and produce organic wines.
Your guide to the "road less traveled but more pleasing to the
palate" is available at www.sip47.com.
Lincoln Park
It's already six years old, but the number of folks who use the
Lincoln Park recreation complex — located between Main Street
and Sunset Drive — only continues to rise as the urbanized center
becomes more firmly rooted in the Forest Grove community.
The city's largest park, which sits just north of Pacific University,
became a reality in 2007 after the city entered into an agreement
with the school to redevelop the park to accommodate the
university's athletic teams. The public park boasts an artificial turf
field for soccer and lacrosse, a running track and a stadium, as
well as softball and baseball fields. It also features a skateboard
park, a BMX course, picnic shelters, playground equipment and
restrooms.
An in-town alternative to recreational opportunities found at
the Tillamook Forest and ocean beaches, Lincoln Park is a family-
friendly place to relax and have fun.
Thatcher Road Dog Park
A canine wonderland exists at the corner of David Hill and
Thatcher roads in Forest Grove: Thatcher Road Dog Park. There,
dogs can run and play off-leash — in one area for large breeds
and another area for small or timid dogs that weigh under 35
pounds.
Only two years old, the dog park comes with a number of
logical caveats, including pet owners' responsibility for becoming
familiar with park rules. Dog owners are responsible for picking
up after their pets, using waste bags they provide.
The park is open daily from sunrise until one hour after sunset.
An Off-Leash Citizens Advisory Group has been formed to help
with maintenance and management of the dog park. Those
interested in joining the group can contact Carrie Niemiec at
carrie.a.niemiec@intel.com.
Hagg Lake