Kam Wah Chung State Heritage Site Opens For The 2025 Season On May 2 (Photo) -04/23/25

JOHN DAY, Oregon— Kam Wah Chung State Heritage Site welcomes visitors to its Interpretive Center and historic building for the 2025 season starting Friday, May 2.

The Kam Wah Chung building is a National Historic Landmark that preserves the home and businesses of two Chinese immigrants, Ing "Doc" Hay and Lung On. For more than 60 years the building was a social, medical and religious center for Oregon's Chinese community.

The Interpretive Center will be open 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays (closed 11 a.m. to noon for lunch). The historic building and Interpretive Center will be closed Monday through Thursday during May and possibly into June due to staffing levels at the site. Check the website for hours of operation throughout the season: https://stateparks.oregon.gov/index.cfm?do=park.profile&parkId=5

Tours of the historic building will run at the top of every hour, the last one beginning at 3 p.m. The free, 45-minute historic building tour begins at the Interpretive Center at 125 NW Canton Street in John Day. Space is limited to 8 people per tour.

For more information or questions about booking tours and operating hours, please call the park office at 541-575-2800.

For those who won't have the opportunity to visit this heritage site this season, you can learn more about the site and Chinese American history in Oregon through these online resources:

• Oregon Chinese Diaspora Project
• National Historic Landmark Nomination: Kam Wah Chung Company Building
• Oregon Encyclopedia: Chinese Americans in Oregon and Kam Wah Chung and Co.
• Oregon Historical Society: Beyond Chinatown: Uncovering Oregon’s Rural Chinese History and Centering Chinese History in Oregon and Herbs & Roots: A History of Chinese Doctors in the American Medical Marketplace

Oregon Heritage Commission To Meet May 4-5 In Eugene, Coburg And Online -04/22/25

Coburg – The Oregon Heritage Commission will meet May 4 in Eugene for a tour of the Museum of Natural and Cultural History and May 5 in Coburg for the Business Meeting.
 

The agenda includes an update on the 2026 Oregon Heritage Plan process, a presentation by the Lane County Parks Advisory Committee on the County covered bridges, a presentation by the Oregon Museums Association on the updated strategic plan, a report on the historic resources survey work in Cottage Grove, a tour of downtown Cottage Grove by Coburg Main Street, and more.
 

This meeting is open to the public and there is an opportunity at the beginning of the meeting for public comment. Public comment can be made in person, online, or by written submission. For online attendance, registration is required. To view the full agenda, register for the virtual meeting, or learn more about public comment options, visit here.

Special accommodations for the meeting – including translation services – may be made by calling (503) 986‐0690 or Mary.Newcomb@oprd.oregon.gov at least 72 hours prior to the start of the meeting.
 

The Heritage Commission’s nine Governor appointed members represent a diversity of cultural, geographic, and institutional interests. The Commission’s nine advisory members include representatives from the Oregon State Library, Oregon State Archives, State Historical Records Advisory Board, Higher Education Coordinating Committee, Travel Oregon, Oregon Historical Society, Department of Education, State Historic Preservation Office, and the Department of Land Conservation and Development.
 

The Commission is the primary agency for coordination of heritage activities in the state. This includes carrying out the Oregon Heritage Plan, increasing efficiency and avoiding duplication among interest groups, developing plans for coordination among agencies and organizations, encouraging tourism related to heritage resources, and coordinating statewide anniversary commemorations.
 

More information about the Oregon Heritage Commission is available online at www.oregonheritage.org and from Commission coordinator Katie Henry at 503-877-8834 or katie.henry@oprd.oregon.gov. 
 

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Public Invited To Comment On A Federal Grant Award In Jefferson -04/22/25

The City of Jefferson has received a grant through the federal Historic Preservation Fund, administered by Oregon State Historic Preservation Office to fund the following local preservation projects.

City of Jefferson
Conser House – 114 N Main St.
$16,000
Add HVAC, Electrical, and removable insulation to the second story.

This notice serves to make the public aware of the projects and solicit comments pursuant to Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act and the National Environmental Policy Act. The comment period is open for 30 days from the date of this announcement. To provide comments or learn more information about this project visit the federal grant public comment section of our website or contact Kuri Gill at Kuri.Gill@oprd.oregon.gov or 503-986-0685.

The National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 authorizes a program of federal matching grants, known as the Historic Preservation Fund, to assist the various states in carrying out historic preservation activities. The Program is sponsored by the U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service, and in Oregon, is administered through the Oregon State Historic Preservation Office. For information about the grants contact Kuri Gill at 503-986-0685 or by e-mail: Kuri.Gill@oprd.oregon.gov.

Oregon Main Street Coordinator Sheri Stuart Receives National Award (Photo) -04/09/25

SALEM, Oregon – Main Street America announced Sheri Stuart, Main Street Coordinator for Oregon Main Street, as a 2025 Mary Means Leadership Award recipient. This prestigious award is the organization’s top honor recognizing individuals who demonstrate outstanding leadership in the field of comprehensive preservation-based economic development and commercial district revitalization. The award highlights the impact of these individuals and amplifies the critical role that leaders play in shaping the Main Street Movement. The 2025 Mary Means Leadership Award was presented at the closing plenary for the Main Street Now Conference in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

“Sheri Stuart is an incredible example of what Main Street leadership looks like in action,” said Erin Barnes, President and CEO at Main Street America. “Her purposeful approach to statewide coordination, her ability to spark innovation in rural and urban communities alike, and her tireless advocacy for reinvestment in Oregon’s Main Streets make her an exemplary recipient of this award.”

Sheri Stuart’s Main Street career spans the local, state, and national level and includes being an Executive Director of a local Main Street organization, Program Officer for the National Main Street Center providing technical assistance to several state coordinating programs, and she currently serves as the Coordinator of Oregon Main Street (OMS), a Main Street America™ Coordinating Program that Sheri has led since 2009.

Sheri was nominated by participants in the Oregon Main Street Network with Lise Grato, Executive Director of Albany Downtown Association, and Rebeca Hollenbeck, Executive Director of Historic Willamette Main Street, leading the nomination effort.

“While impact of her work can be seen in the economic impact numbers, the grant dollars, the technical assistance she provides, the greatest impact she has is on the humans that make up the Main Street Network,” says Lisa Sumption, Director of Oregon Parks and Recreation Department. “The personal connections she forms with Main Street Managers and Board Members and the people first approach she implements is by far the greatest impact she has.”

About Oregon Main Street

Oregon Main Street (OMS), a Main Street America™ Coordinating Program, leads a network of over 100 communities across the state implementing efforts to build community, support local businesses, and create an attractive and vibrant environment for workers, visitors, and residents. Led by Coordinator Sheri Stuart, OMS provides training and technical assistance to communities that have achieved substantial results since the program began in 2007. Oregon Main Street is part of Oregon Heritage in the state’s Oregon Parks and Recreation Department

A recent OMS impact study reported that between 2011 and 2021, the Oregon Main Street network:

• Supported the creation of more than 2400 jobs throughout the state

• Boosted statewide tax revenue by 3.5 million dollars

• Contributed an additional $266 million dollars of revenue statewide

One of the tools available to Oregon Main Street Network Participants in the Oregon Main Street Revitalization Grant established by the Oregon Legislature in 2015. This grant program to date has awarded over $17 million for over 100 building improvement projects in Oregon’s downtowns. See a summary of the impact of this grant program here.

Learn more about Oregon Main Street by visiting www.oregonmainstreet.org.

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Historic Cemeteries Commission Meets April 25 -04/09/25

The Oregon Commission on Historic Cemeteries will meet via online meeting on April 25 at 1:00 p.m. The agenda includes discussion of Cemetery Special Districts future workplan items. The meeting is open to the public and the agenda includes an opportunity for public comment. Follow this link to register for meeting access information.

State law established the seven-member Commission to maintain a listing of all historic cemeteries and gravesites in Oregon; promote public education on the significance of historic cemeteries; and help obtain financial and technical assistance for restoring, improving and maintaining their appearances. For more information about commission activities or to attend in person, contact coordinator Kuri Gill at 503-986-0685 or by e-mail at kuri.gill@oprd.oregon.gov.

Special accommodations for the meeting – including translation services – may be made by calling (503) 986‐0690 at least 72 hours prior to the start of the meeting. For more historic cemetery resources or more information about the commission, visit www.oregonheritage.org.

Oregon State Parks And Recreation Commission To Meet April 22 And 23 In Medford -04/08/25

MEDFORD, Oregon — The Oregon State Parks and Recreation Commission will convene April 22 and 23 in Medford.

On April 22, commissioners will hold a work session from 12:30 to 3:30 p.m. on the draft real property policy and commission best practices.

On April 23, commissioners will convene an executive session at 8:30 a.m. at the Rogue Regency Inn & Suites, 2300 Biddle Road, to discuss real estate and legal issues. Executive sessions are closed to the public.

A business meeting will begin at 9:30 a.m. and will be open to the public. Anyone may attend or listen to the business meeting; instructions on how to listen will be posted on the commission web page prior to the meeting. The business meeting includes time for informal public comment related to any items not on the agenda. Registration is required to speak at the meeting if attending online, and is available online at https://bit.ly/registerApr2025commission.

The deadline to register to speak at the meeting virtually is 5 p.m., April 18. No advance registration is required to speak in person at the meeting. Time per speaker is limited to three minutes. Please submit written public comments by 5 p.m. April 18 to katie.gauthier@oprd.oregon.gov.

The full agenda and supporting documents will be posted on the commission web page. Notable requests:

• Request to approve grant recommendations for the following:
  • Recreational Trails Program
  • All-Terrain Vehicle (ATV)
  • Veterans and War Memorial Grants
• Request to adopt rules 736-10-0026 and 21-0065 for Electric Assisted Bicycle use in Oregon State Parks and the ocean shore.
• Request to adopt 736-24 -0015 concerning ocean shore vehicle access to Manzanita
• Request to approve temporary emergency rules for ATV safety equipment and noise emissions. A new Oregon law transferred the rulemaking responsibility from Oregon Department of Transportation and Department of Environmental Quality to Oregon Parks and Recreation Department (OPRD). Temporary rules 736-004-0150 and 736-004-0160 will keep existing rules for 180 days to give OPRD time to develop and adopt new permanent rules.

Anyone needing special accommodations to attend the meeting should contact Denise Warburton, commission assistant, at least three days in advance: denise.warburton@oprd.oregon.gov or 503-779-9729.

The Oregon State Parks and Recreation Commission promotes outdoor recreation and heritage by establishing policies, adopting rules and setting the budget for the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department. The seven members are appointed by the Governor and confirmed by the Oregon Senate. They serve four-year terms and meet several times a year at locations across the state.

Road To Summit Of Pilot Butte Opens For The Season April 14 (Photo) -04/07/25

BEND, Oregon—The Oregon Parks and Recreation Department will open Pilot Butte summit road to vehicle traffic starting at 10 a.m. Monday, April 14 for the 2025 season.

“We kindly remind visitors that the summit road is a shared space enjoyed by multiple users including cyclists, walkers and runners. Please reduce your speed and exercise caution while driving. Remain alert, be mindful of others and approach with patience and courtesy to ensure everyone’s safety,” said Park Manager Brian Vaughan.

The summit road leads to the top of the butte, which is an old cinder cone. Visitors enjoy panoramic views of the Cascade mountains including Three Sisters, Mt. Jefferson, Black Butte and Mt. Hood.

The road will be open from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily. For more information about the park, visit the webpage at https://stateparks.oregon.gov/index.cfm?do=park.profile&parkId=33.

New Survey To Help Inform Oregon Statewide Trails Plan Runs Through April 30 (Photo) -04/04/25

SALEM, Oregon— Oregon Parks and Recreation Department (OPRD) wants to better understand how residents use all land and water trails throughout Oregon and opportunities for improvement. 

OPRD launched an online survey this month to collect the feedback now through April 30. The survey is open to all trail users and potential trail users including hikers, bikers, equestrians, OHV and ATV riders, snowmobilers, boaters and paddlers who recreate on any public lands or bodies of water in Oregon, not just Oregon State Parks. 

The information will help inform the Oregon Statewide Trails Plan, which provides guidance for OPRD as well as other federal, state, and local agencies and private sector partners. It outlines trends and issues, creates priorities for grant funding and recommends actions to improve trails over the next 10 years.  

The Oregon Statewide Trails Plan covers non-motorized trails (hiking, biking, equestrian), motorized ATV trails, snowmobile trails, and non-motorized boating and water trails.  

The survey takes about 20 minutes to complete, and it’s open to all Oregon residents. Those who complete the survey have the option of entering a drawing for a free Oregon State Parks annual parking permit. 

“Oregon is home to amazing recreational trails. Each year, more than 80% of Oregon residents recreate on trail systems across the state. We appreciate residents’ support and feedback, which will help make these systems even better in the future,” said OPRD Statewide Trails Planner Jessica Horning. 

For questions about this survey or the Oregon Trails Plan, please visit our website or contact OPRD Statewide Trails Planner Jessica Horning at  Jessica.r.horning@oprd.oregon.gov. 

Earth Day Volunteer Opportunity At Sunset Bay State Park Near Coos Bay (Photo) -04/01/25

COOS BAY, Oregon— Join rangers at Sunset Bay State Park from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday April 26 to remove invasive English ivy from the landscape and make space for native plants in honor of Earth Day.

Invasive species of ivy are prevalent throughout the Pacific Northwest and tend to outcompete native plants. Assist park rangers in identifying and eradicating the weed from the park property in honor of Earth Day.

Volunteers will gather at Yoakum Point about ¼ mile before Sunset Bay day-use area when driving south. The trailhead is on the west side of the highway, and the parking lot is on the east side (please do not block the driveway). The address is 90064 Cape Arago Highway.

Participants should be prepared to travel on uneven ground at the service site. Service will take place outdoors, and volunteers should be comfortable wearing work gloves and using hand tools. Gloves, tools, snacks and bottled water will be provided.

Volunteers are encouraged to dress for the weather and wear closed toed-shoes and something they don’t mind getting dirty.

For more information, please contact Park Ranger Jess Hayward at Jess.hayward@oprd.oregon.gov or 541-888-3732.

Seeking Public Comment On Proposed Changes To Day-use Parking Permits (Photo) -04/01/25

SALEM, Oregon—Oregon Parks and Recreation Department (OPRD) is seeking public comment on a proposal to expand the 25% out-of-state camping surcharge to parking permit fees and eliminate the two-year parking permit.

The out-of-state camping surcharge was enacted by state law in 2022 for RV campsites, and OPRD expanded it to all site types for out-of-state campers for stays beginning July 1, 2025.

The proposed rule change would add the 25% out-of-state surcharge to parking permit fees. Based on current rates, out-of-state visitors would pay $12.50 per day or $37.50 for an annual parking permit. If approved, the change would begin July 1, 2025.

Oregon residents would continue to pay the same parking permit rate of $10 per day or $30 for an annual permit.

The proposed rule change would also eliminate the sales of 24-month parking permits starting in 2026. Existing permits would be honored until they expire. The 12-month annual permit will continue to be sold.

These changes would help parks more consistently implement the surcharge as well as track annual revenue and budgets for parks in the future. It’s part of an ongoing effort to help keep pace with rising costs while continuing to provide exceptional outdoor experiences.

Public comments on the proposed rule change will be accepted through 5 p.m. April 30, 2025:

• Online: https://www.oregon.gov/oprd/PRP/pages/PRP-rulemaking.aspx
• Mail: OPRD Department, attn: Katie Gauthier, 725 Summer St NE, Suite C, Salem OR 97301
• Email: OPRD.Publiccomment@oprd.oregon.gov

A public hearing will also be held 5:30 p.m. Thursday, April 24, 2025:

• Register to attend the virtual hearing at: https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN__1Zw_JurTy-PYpxWhGra2w#/registration

Once the public comment period ends, the proposal with any incorporated updates is slated to go to Oregon State Parks and Recreation Commission in June for possible adoption.

Tree At Yaquina Bay Declared A Hazard, Park Gathering Memories Before Cut (Photo) -03/28/25

NEWPORT, Oregon— The Sitka Spruce that stands in the median near the entrance to Yaquina Bay State Recreation Site was declared a hazard due to widespread decay throughout the tree. The park is gathering community memories of the beloved tree before it's cut.

The park will remove or significantly cut back the tree in June to avoid potential hazards including damage to vehicles and physical injuries to park visitors.

“It was a difficult decision to make especially with this iconic Sitka Spruce that has become a friend to us all over the years as the gatekeeper to the Yaquina Bay Lighthouse, but we have to balance between the beauty of nature and the safety of our visitors,” said Park Manager Burke Martin.

“We know that this tree is not only special to us but to the local community as well. We’re offering residents an opportunity to share their memories and potential ideas on

how to honor this amazing gift of nature.”

Residents can share their memories and ideas at https://bit.ly/YaquinaBayTree. The park will gather the submissions and decide how best to incorporate the memories and ideas to commemorate the tree.

The Sitka Spruce lost a large limb during a winter storm, which prompted a physical inspection. The results showed there was significant decay throughout the tree. A resistograph was used to analyze the decay pockets within the tree, and it revealed widespread decay. The recommendation was to remove the tree to avoid potential hazards.

Staff will either cut back the tree significantly to create a snag for wildlife or remove the tree. Park staff will share updates with the community on the plans for the tree and how to commemorate it this spring.

Oregon Heritage Released 2024 Oregon Main Street Annual Report (Photo) -03/25/25

SALEM, Oregon – Oregon Heritage just released the 2024 Oregon Main Street Annual report. A copy of the report can be found on the Oregon Main Street website: www.oregonmainstreet.org.
 

The report highlights the collective impact of communities participating in the Main Street Track of the Oregon Main Street Network in 2024, including over $24 million in private sector investment, 168 net new businesses, 1,652 net new jobs, and over 293 building rehab projects. In addition, volunteers contributed almost 34,000 of volunteer hours to make their communities better places to live, work, shop, and experience. The cumulative impact since 2010 is also included in the report.
 

The report also features community spotlights on projects and activities happening on Main Street in Oregon including the HRVI building restoration project in Chiloquin which was a recipient of a $200,000 Oregon Main Street Revitalization Grant in 2022 and is nearing completion.
 

Currently, there are over 100 communities in Oregon participating in one of the different levels of the Oregon Main Street Network: Accredited Main Street, Designated Main Street, Affiliated Main Street, Connected Communities, or as part of one of the Rural Regional Main Street hubs. There isn’t a fee to participate in the Oregon Main Street Network.
 

Oregon Main Street (OMS) is part of Heritage Programs in Oregon Parks and Recreation Department. OMS is designed to assist with the revitalization of historic downtowns and neighborhood commercial districts, promote economic development, and encourage historic preservation. The program uses an approach that advocates a return to community self-reliance, local empowerment, and the rebuilding of central business districts based on their assets, unique architecture, personal service, local ownership and entrepreneurship, and sense of community. 

Shore Acres Garden Volunteer Days Gives Visitors A Chance To Give Back (Photo) -03/25/25

COOS BAY, Oregon— Shore Acres State Park will host Garden Volunteer Days once a month April through September to give visitors a chance to volunteer in the garden.

Volunteers can learn how to prune a rose or maintain a 100-year-old-lily pond as they work alongside rangers in caring for the beautiful gardens at 89526 Cape Arago Highway, Coos Bay.

Garden Volunteer Days run 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.:

• April 18: Pond Cleanup including pulling out debris, fertilizing pond lilies and trimming shrubs along the pond. Rubber boots are highly recommended, and plan on getting wet. For ages 18 and older.
• May 16, June 20 and July 18: Garden cleanup including weeding, trimming, mowing, mulching, planting, rose pruning and pulling invasive plants. Ages 14 and older.
• Aug. 15: English Ivy pull to help remove this invasive species from the garden. For ages 14 and older.
• Sept. 19: Garden cleanup including weeding, trimming, mowing, mulching, planting, rose pruning and pulling invasive plants. Ages 14 and older.

Participants should be prepared to travel a short distance on uneven ground at the service site. Service will take place outdoors, and volunteers should be comfortable wearing work gloves and using hand tools. Gloves, hand tools and morning snacks are provided. Bring a lunch.

Closed-toed shoes are recommended. Wear something you don’t mind getting dirty. Please contact Park Ranger Jess Hayward with any questions at Jess.hayward@oprd.oregon.gov or 541-888-3732.

Shore Acres features a formal garden with plants and flowers from all over the world. It includes a Japanese-style garden with lily pond and two curated rose gardens that include All-American Rose Selections. Something is in bloom almost every day of the year: the first spring bulbs pop up in late February; rhododendrons and azaleas soon follow; roses bloom through the summer; and dahlias appear August through mid-October.