Simpson Park

A bark-covered walking trail leads through riparian woods between the bank of the Willamette River and three oxbow sloughs that were once used as log ponds. Waterfowl, cormorants and Great Blue Heron are plentiful in winter, with Green Heron in spring. Mixed Douglas-fir and deciduous riparian woods with a brushy understory host Red-breasted Sapsucker, four species of woodpeckers, and abundant songbirds, including wintering kinglet and chickadee flocks, and migrant vireos and warbler flocks. Along with high species diversity, this park provides a look at a historical sawmill and its log ponds. From US Hwy 20 1.1 mi W of I-5 in Albany, go N on Geary St for 0.5 mi. Turn E on Front Ave and follow 0.3 mi to where it bends N and becomes Waverly Dr. Continue 0.2 mi and turn L into gravel parking area just past Cox Creek bridge. GPS 44 38.680 N, 123 04.442 W.