Outdoor Education & Recreation Program

Our Vision

"Develop a partnership to support implementation of a sustainable and adaptable outdoor education and recreation programs that provides annual opportunities within priority Benton County Natural Areas & Parks, with an emphasis on rural and underserved youth and their families"

* Share information with regional partners on park amenities and capacity for major types of outdoor and site appropriate indoor programs, 
*  Identify opportunities for collaboration, 
*  Help guide participation and joint project/program development activities,
*  Establish and balance scheduling demands as early as possible prior to peak season (spring-early fall),
*  Alleviate heavy seasonal use impacts through advance planning.

Park Use Estimation & Survey Project

Starting in 2018, Benton County Natural Areas and Parks Department (NAPD) started estimating park use, experiences, and values within the natural areas and parks system- a vital part to long-term community support. From May thru August , project staff sample vehicle traffic counts and collected park-user survey responses.  The Outdoor Education & Recreation Program completed all project work, and provided key support for planning of park management projects and programs.  NAPD plans to implement use estimation and survey methodology within a rotating set of priority parks, each peak season period, to inform future priorities and management while capturing important trends.  Review all park user survey responses and more in the reports below!

What's Currently Happening?

We're happy to announce the following programs and opportunities for Spring and Summer or some throughout the year!  Check back and follow us on Facebook to learn more and participate!

FOCUS (Forests, Organisms, Creeks, U Study!)  This program brings students, in grades 3-5, into a natural setting for hands-on scientific learning experiences. The program is run at Beazell Memorial Forest, northwest of Philomath, OR in Kings Valley, as a partnership between OSU Extension Service Benton County and Benton County Natural Areas and Parks.

Natural Areas Celebration Week  Every year the community of outdoor educators, managers, and volunteers, provide a week of free public events.  This year the following special events are being provided by Benton County Natural Areas & Parks during early May.​   Details coming soon! 

GO (Get Outdoors) Day!  The fourth annual National Get Outdoors Day event to be held oat Peavy Arboretum.  This free event is hosted by OSU College of Forestry and OSU Benton County Extension, and will feature a variety of hands-on activities to connect youth and families with the great outdoors. Check back for date soon!

Benton County Outdoor Summer Adventures This collaboration between Benton County Natural Areas and Parks and Corvallis Parks and Recreation provides youth, ages 8 - 11, with 4 days of fun, summer adventures that explore Benton County 

These are currently being finalized with limited spots available! Check back and watch for the Corvallis Parks & Recreation Activity Guide!