Gnome Hunt 101
Can You Find Blossom, Greenie and Oak as they hide in 3 parks' natural areas in Oct? The Gnomes in Nature Hunt challenge ends Oct. 31, 2022.
* Find a gnome & take a pic of you, your dog or anything else by it!
* Post your gnome photos on social media at #LOparksgnomes
* #LOparksgnomes photos go in a contest to win a gnome after Oct. 31!
Gnomes love natural areas..& cooking, movies & sports! Their Bios tell all!
The 3 gnomes challenge you to Nature Jokes!
The 3 Gnomes hide in 3 new natural park areas Apr - Oct. Hunt for the Gnomes but leave them for others to discover!
October 2022
(Park Maps & Clues are in "Attachments")
LILY BAY NATURAL AREA (Near the corner of Diamond Head Rd. & North Shore Rd. Look for a trail marker.)
This hidden sliver of a natural area is home to deer, otters, turtles, wood ducks & more.
1. Follow the trail & enter an oasis! Blossom is peeking from a Big Leaf Maple tree that splits into 2 or 3 parts, you decide! Watch for a glimpse of Lily Bay.
2. Go down the trail to see how Lily Bay got its name! Greenie's on a Big Leaf Maple tree near Sword Ferns that provide food & shelter for insects & birds.
3. Continue to the end of the trail to spy Osprey diving for fish in Oswego Lake. Oak's on a tree to look for Turtles resting on logs in Lily Bay.
LUSCHER FARM (125 Rosemont Rd. - along the paved Rosemont/Staford Trail)
Relax in the country as you explore this 42 acre core park with over 100 acres of rolling meadows, oak savannahs & vistas.
1. From historic Luscher farmhouse, stroll the paved Staford/Rosemont trail across the foot bridge & up to the paved circular trail. Go Left at the circle & pass by a Heritage Trail sign. Blossom climbed an apple tree in the middle of an old orchard on the Left.
2. Return to the paved trail & head to a Yield sign. Take a Left on a gravel trail & a quick Right on the mowed grass trail. Head down the grass trail & circle to a shed. Greenie’s nearby on an Oregon White Ash tree watching Brush Rabbits hop by.
3. Easily connect to the paved trail & go Left. Pass by horse corrals & zig zag up the hill by a White Oak Savannah where Red Tail Hawks soar. Oak is enjoying the aroma of a young Douglas Fir Tree.
SPRINGBROOK PARK (Behind Uplands Elem. School's playground - 2055 Wembley Park Rd.)
Wander trails through this 52 acre forest. Discover foot bridges & a nature play area! Look for the park kiosk behind the playground. Trails have signage.
1. Enter the woods & go Right on Mahonia Trail. Pass by the Nature Play Area & look for a snag (a wildlife tree) with white mushrooms (or conks) growing on it. Blossom is busy counting the conks!
2. Continue Straight on the main trail. Take a Left on Nine Bark Trail & listen to Towhees sing! Take a Left on Vine Maple Trail. Have a rest on the park bench. Greenie is laying down to spy on Banana Slugs.
3. Go Left on Sword Fern Trail. Oak followed a Townsend Chipmunk to a Big Leaf Maple near the footbridge. Cross the footbridge & take a Right onto Mahonia Trail. Wave to Blossom as you loop to the park kiosk!
Greenie is all A-BUZZ with BEE jokes!
Why do horses like to live near Bees?
What sport do Bees like the most?
Why do Bees have sticky hair?
(Take a few guesses BEE-fore you click)
Blossom has TREE-mendous jokes to STUMP you!
What kind of Tree fits in your hand?
How do you get a Tree to leave your party?
How do you make a Tree laugh?
(Click on the link and BRANCH out!)
Oak has gone NUTS with Squirrel jokes!
Which ballet do Squirrels like best?
Where do Squirrels go on vacation?
Why don't Squirrels have many friends?
(We're not telling & it's driving us NUTS!))
Looking for the gnomes - it’s easy, and you can have a chance to win a Gnome in October!
Check for clues and maps to the 3 parks at lo-stewardship.org.
Lake Oswego Parks Stewardship
Wildlife in Lake Oswego's Natural Areas
