by Sandra Petersen

Created on: July 26, 2011   Last Updated: July 28, 2011

Corvallis is one of the central cities in the Willamette Valley of west central Oregon. A little over fifty miles separates the city from Newport on the Pacific coastline. Corvallis is home to Oregon State University. It is surrounded by agricultural land and wine-producing vineyards. The Department of Parks and Recreation maintains 34 parks and ten natural areas within the city with a total area of over 2000 acres.

Avery Park

This 75 acre park tucked in a bend of Marys River is one of the jewels in the Corvallis park system. It has five picnic shelters, a rose garden with over 250 varieties on display, a rhododendron garden, a Wildflower Trail, an antique steam locomotive, horseshoe pits and a maple grove. Popular features of the park for young children are the partially buried dinosaur skeleton sculpture and the antique steam locomotive. Both are meant to be explored. The park is also popular with those planning weddings or other special events.

Riverfront Commemorative Park

This park sandwiched between the commercial district and Willamette River is less than three acres but is designed to embellish downtown Corvallis with natural beauty. Here you can sit on a bench and watch the Willamette River flow. A total of over 5,350 decorative trees and shrubs shade and decorate three plazas. Five artists have their sculptures displayed along the length of the park. On a hot day, there is nothing better than to play among the water jets of a decorative fountain which graces the Helen M. Berg Plaza. Farm produce is sold at Farmers' Markets held during the spring and summer months in locations in the park.

Bruce Starker Arts Park

Though only 15.7 acres in size, the Bruce Starker Arts Park is one of the spots where you may find events which require a stage. The park is a natural amphitheater with a man-made stage surrounded on three sides by grassy slopes. Behind the stage, a picnic area overlooks a duck pond and fountain. A hiking trail loops around the pond and through the park.

Central Park

Central Park may be less than four acres but what it lacks in size, it makes up for in the beauty of its gardens and gazebo. Throughout the year, this park is the host to events like the Festival of Lights and summertime community band concerts. Sculptures and a large playground as well as shaded walking paths complete the sights this park has to offer.

Largest Parks in Corvallis

Willamette Park is the largest park and natural area in Corvallis. Located near the southeast corner

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