Public invited to Cascadia County Park ceremony Sept. 21

CASCADIA — A ceremony commemorating the transfer of ownership of Cascadia State Park to the Linn County will be held at the park at 1 p.m. on September 21, according to Linn County Parks & Recreation Director Brian Carroll.

The public is invited.

Linn County has managed the park — about 12 miles east of Sweet Home on Highway 20 — for three years. Linn County took ownership in July,

“We are excited about taking over ownership of Cascadia Park,” Carroll said. “We believe the park is a great fit for the county parks system.”

Lebanon resident Dietrich Peters, a Grand Ronde Tribal member, will open the day’s events with a Native American blessing and will also prepare salmon in a traditional manner.

Linn County Commissioners Will Tucker and Sherrie Sprenger will provide opening remarks and will be joined by fellow commissioner and board chairman Roger Nyquist.

Tucker’s remarks will be followed by comments by Milt Moran, chair of the Linn County Parks & Recreation Commission.

Also speaking will be Lisa Sumption, director of the Oregon State Parks & Recreation Department and Carroll.

The day will also recognize the re-establishment of U.S. Postal Service to the Cascadia community.

A covered bank of mailboxes has been established on property owned by the U.S. Forest Service.

Supporting partners in the project are the U.S. Postal Service, Linn County Board of Commissioners, Senator Ron Wyden, Senator Jeff Merkley and Rep. Peter DeFazio.

The concept of transferring ownership of the park to Linn County has been in the works for about 20 years and in 2013, the Oregon Legislature included a State Parks budget note that identified eight state parks that might be more effectively managed within their respective counties.

“Cascadia State Park was a poster child for this,” Carroll said.

“Oregon State Parks has been wonderful to work with through the transition of the Cascadia to Linn County,” Carroll said. “I believe that in the long run, the transfer of Cascadia Park to the county is the best option for managing the park and makes the most sense.”

Linn County has several recreational areas near Cascadia Park, including River Bend County Park almost within rock-throwing distance and manages several U.S. Forest Service campgrounds along the South Santiam River. Staff also travel past the park en route to Clear Lake Resort.

Cascadia County Park sits on the South Santiam River and is surrounded by old growth Douglas fir. It is near the historical Cascadia Caves, a site used for centuries as a gathering spot by Native Americans.

The park offers 22 first come, first served campsites, group tent sites and a picnic area.

A three-quarter mile trail leads to Soda Creek Falls. Ruts on the historical Santiam Wagon Road are still visible.

Media contact: Alex Paul, Linn County Communications Officer, 541-967-3825 or email apaul@co.linn.or.us.