Macleay Park

Kelly Point Park

2009-09-28T04:50:00.001-07:00

O.k I must say that on the right day, and with the right temperature Kelly Point Park is a great place to take a stroll on the beach, and run the dog, but during the height of summer its not such a great place to be. The bf and I have gone twice this year once during Portland's heat wave and again last night. During the hottest days of summer you can guarantee yourself that the beach will be over run with people and dogs running everywhere, fishermen, and Oh yes garbage of all types litters the beach as far as the eye can see. I'm not kidding everything from cast off fishing line with hooks still attached to broken lawn furniture, food waste, clothing, and animal feces...not a pretty site I assure you. Last night however it was like a park transformed...only a few scattered people, no marauding dogs, and no garbage of any kind that I saw...but what there was was lots of piles of dog poop. On one hand I am furious that Portland dog owners didn't obey the law about cleaning up after your pet, but I can also understand their frustration ( I know I am mad) at the lack of a single freaking garbage can anywhere in sight!....none by the restrooms, at the trail head leading to the beach, on the beach or even in the parking lot...SERIOUSLY Portland what gives? Every other Portland City Park has garbage cans a plenty for disposing of trash and bagged dog waste what makes Kelly Point Park any less in need of a garbage can or two. No wonder there is dog poo piles scattered all over the beach area, and trash lying about. Its Sad, and it makes me wonder what Portland Parks and Recreation is thinking.

A Little Bit Of History

2009-05-14T11:58:00.000-07:00

You can walk through a park a dozen times and never know the history...Macleay Park in Portland OR has a dark past that I'm sure not many know about...I didn't until I researched it.

Danford Balch was the original owner and settler of this area. Mr. Balch arrived in Oregon in 1847, and settled his donation land claim in 1850. He made a home out of the wilderness for himself, wife and nine children. Nearby the Stump family also took out a claim. For whatever reason the two families didn't get along at all, but you know what they say "love will find a way" Mortimer Stump fell in love with Anna Balch...Mortimer was warned to stay away from the lovely Anna, but he did not heed the warnings of her father. When Anna turned 16 her and Mortimer ran off and eloped in Vancouver, WA...two weeks later Mr. Balch took himself (and his shotgun) to the Stark Street Ferry and met the disembarking Stump family...where sadly Danford Balch emptied both barrels into young Mortimer Stump...Danford Balch was hanged at a public gallows with 500 spectators on October 17, 1859...pretty creepy. Now you know why the creek through the park is named Mortimer...after Mortimer Stump.

Macleay Park

2009-05-09T07:28:00.000-07:00

Whether your looking for a quick fix, or a all day hike Macleay Park offers it up to you both ways.

January 1st 2008 the bf and I were looking to get out of the house and enjoy the crisp winter day we wanted to do something fun with are recently adopted dog Koda...we were still getting used to him and all his quirks and he was getting used to ours.
We decided on Macleay Park hidden in NW Portland on 29th and Upshur would be a good place to take him...it would give him the opportunity to wear his spiffy new coat (Ruffwear) that he got for Christmas, and we could work on some leash manners, and proper trail behaviour. Koda was a freebie that nobody wanted...not really sure why he is one great little dog.
So we all donned proper cold weather gear for our outing and headed out to NW Portland and our little slice of urban heaven. Lower Macleay trail starts out paved and running alongside Balch Creek. About a half mile into your walk your going to run into a stone house that was built in the Depression. Its a great place to take a break before heading on. The stone house also marks a split in the trail where you can do one of three things...continue on to Upper Macleay Park (which is what we did), head back the way you came, or push on up the 26 mile Wildwood trail.
So grab some light weight hiking shoes, bottled water, the dog and head on out enjoy the day... remember to grab your camera for some great photo opps.