Oregon Coast
Major Successes
Yachats Trail
The trail was designed and built by Oregon Parks and Recreation Department for the primary use of pedestrians and people in wheelchairs. Besides its scenic and recreational resources, the vegetation along the 804 Trail has several rare and endangered species. Improvements to the Yachats 804 Trail helped to preserve and protect the unique vegetation and provide universal accessibility for all to access the small beaches and enjoy safe spots on the rocks overlooking the sea.
Fort Stevens State Park
Fort Stevens Military Reservation guarded the mouth of the Columbia River from the Civil War through World War II. Now a state park, the site has more than five miles of hiking trails and seven miles of bike paths. The Oregon Coast Trail begins at the south jetty and continues along the beach.
Oregon State Parks Foundation helped secure funds to restore the chimney in the War Room Museum and to improve signage and trails to the Civil War Fort.
Oregon’s Lighthouses
Oregon Lighthouses represent our longest standing legacy of maritime history, and serve as visible links to the past for over 2.6 million annual visitors. Built on prominent headlands or near major estuaries, most of the Oregon lighthouses were established between 1870 and 1896. Modern technology has eliminated the need for resident lighthouse keepers. But some of the unique, classic lighthouse structures remain as much a part of Oregon’s rugged coast as any landform.
In recent times Oregon’s surviving lighthouses have become dramatically deteriorated and vigorous restoration efforts are needed to protect them. In 2006 Oregon State Parks Foundation launched a capital campaign to preserve and enhance seven iconic lighthouses including Cape Blanco, Cape Meares, Coquille River, Heceta Head, Umpqua River, Yaquina Bay and Yaquina Head. In partnership with Oregon Parks and Recreation Department, Friends groups and hundreds of volunteers over $170,000 was raised to support the most critical stabilization needs of these beacons of our past.
Saddle Mountain
The Foundation raised $50,000 to improve the trails to the Saddle Mountain peak.