Bonesteele County Park

Location and History

Bonesteele County Park is located on Aumsville Highway between Salem and Aumsville in Marion County, Oregon. This site, formerly part of a commercial grass field, is being restored to an upland prairie ecosystem as part of the Natural Heritage Parks Program.

The park is named after the Bonesteeles, a prominent Oregon family. The patriarch, Harry F. Bonesteele, was born in Rochester, New York, on March 17.

Park Features

The park encompasses approximately 30 acres, with about 10 acres of mature Oregon Oak and Douglas Fir forest and 20 acres of open grassland. The restoration of Bonesteele Park aims to bring back a landscape that will increase biodiversity, enhance wildlife habitat, and provide an educational and recreational resource for area residents.

Ecological Significance

Bonesteele Park offers visitors an opportunity to experience the increasingly rare upland prairie ecosystem that was once common in the Willamette Valley. This ecosystem supports various plants and animals that have become scarce as these habitats have diminished.

Trails and Recreation

For those interested in hiking, the park provides trails that offer more of a hike-like experience than a simple walk. Visitors can enjoy gradual climbs, descend into wooded areas via narrow tracks, and climb back up, providing a varied terrain for exploration.