Leisure

A Great Nature Walk! When: Wed Feb 18, 2015 10AM-2PM Where: Tualatin Hills Nature Park Meet at: Gresham City Hall 1333 NW Eastman Pwy Gresham, OR Get Map!

This three-mile walk begins from the Nature Park Interpretive Center in Beaverton. We will follow paved and natural trails that feature evergreen and deciduous forests, creeks, wetlands, ponds and meadows. Be on the lookout for deer, owls and other birds. Hiking boots or other trail shoes are recommended in case of any muddy conditions.

• Round-trip travel: 55 miles
• Difficulty: Easy
• Elevation gain: Nominal
• Suggested donation per hiker: $6

Following our walk, we will drive a short distance to Bugatti’s Restaurant at Cedar Hill Crossing for lunch.

1874 Zimmerman House. Click to Enlarge

Open to the Public When: Sat Feb 21, 2015 Noon-4PM Where: Zimmerman Park 17111 NE Sandy Blvd Gresham, OR Get Map!

A delightful 1874 Victorian farmhouse
Take a step back into history at the Zimmerman House, a Victorian era farmhouse, built in 1874 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This beautiful farmhouse is a perfect reflection of typical Columbia River dairy farm life in the late 1800s. The Zimmerman Heritage Farm is a unique cultural education and recreational resource that is being created for the benefit of the public on a 5.98-acre historic site in Gresham, Oregon.

Help Us Remove Invasives! When: Sat Feb 21, 2015 9AM-11:30AM Where: Gresham-Fairview Trail (Between Powell Blvd bridge & Division) Park at West Powell Loop & SW 10th Gresham OR Get Map!

Help restore the Grant Butte Wetlands

Rain or Shine Event
Join us on the Gresham-Fairview trail for three special stewardship Saturdays as we get the area ready for our second annual Gresham Green and Clean event. We will begin the invasive removal process and pick up trash. Become a steward of your neighborhood trail and help open up the view of the beautiful Fairview Creek Headwaters wetland area at the base of Grant Butte.

This event is suitable for all ages, and drinks and snacks will be provided. The event will take place on the Gresham-Fairview Trail, between the Powell Blvd. bridge and Division Street, along the Fairview Creek headwaters. Park on Powell Loop.

Crisp Winter Adventure When: Thu Jan 08, 2015 9AM-2PM Where: Gresham Butte Saddle Trail Meet at: Gresham City Hall 1333 NW Eastman Pwy Gresham, OR Get Map!

To start this four-mile hike, we’ll drive the half mile or so to Gresham's Main City Park. We’ll park and walk the Springwater Trail to Regner Road and then head up through the Dawncrest neighborhood to connect with the Saddle Trail over Gresham Butte. Back at Main City Park, we’ll take a quick walk through the newly renovated Tsuru Japanese Garden.

• Gresham Butte Saddle Trail Hike
• Difficulty: Moderate/difficult
• Elevation Gain: About 575 feet
• Suggested donation per hiker: Free

Going over the Butte is relatively steep in places and can be muddy, so dress accordingly. Because of the probability of muddy conditions, hiking boots are recommended. After this loop hike, we’ll have lunch at Bistro 214 in old town Gresham.

Orion MHCC Planetarium website

2015 Sky Preview When: Tue Jan 13, 2015 Show Times: 6PM, 7:15PM, 8:30PM Where: Mt Hood Community College Planetarium Sky Theater 26000 SE Stark St Gresham, OR Get Map!

Admission $2. MHCC students are admitted free.
The Sky Theater is wheelchair accessible.

2015 Sky Preview
Join us for a tour of the night sky where you'll whiz through universe from the comfort of your seat! 3 shows starting at 6:00PM, 7:15PM and 8:30PM.

The Mt. Hood Community College (MHCC) Planetarium invites you enjoy another year of great public shows using their state-of-the-art digital star projection system.

Each show is presented under a realistic representation of the night sky, featuring the latest galactic, stellar and planetary images. Visitors are encouraged to ask questions during each program. Children are welcome to attend.

1874 Zimmerman House. Click to Enlarge

Embrace the weather When: Sat Jan 17, 2015 Noon-4PM Where: Zimmerman Park 17111 NE Sandy Blvd Gresham, OR Get Map!

A delightful 1874 Victorian farmhouse
Take a step back into history at the Zimmerman House, a Victorian era farmhouse, built in 1874 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This beautiful farmhouse is a perfect reflection of typical Columbia River dairy farm life in the late 1800s. The Zimmerman Heritage Farm is a unique cultural education and recreational resource that is being created for the benefit of the public on a 5.98-acre historic site in Gresham, Oregon.

Hotel Monaco, Portland Oregon

Hotel Lobbies Walk When: Wed Jan 21, 2015 10AM-4PM Where: Downtown Portland Meet at: Gresham City Hall 1333 NW Eastman Pwy Gresham, OR Get Map!

We'll travel by MAX to Pioneer Place where we will disembark and gather in the lower lobby. From there we’ll begin our three-mile walk through seven of the newest and oldest hotel lobbies in downtown Portland. You'll see the sophisticated Nines Luxury Hotel first, followed by Hotel Monaco, which is rated in the top 500 hotels in the world by Travel & Leisure magazine. We’ll then visit four hotel lobbies on Broadway before arriving at the Sentinel. Built in 1909, the Sentinel is considered one of the finest examples of Italian Renaissance architecture in the nation. We will have lunch at Jake’s Grill at the Sentinel.

• Round-trip travel: By TriMet MAX ($2 for those 65 and older)
• Difficulty: Easy
• Elevation gain: Nominal

Experience the Quiet When: Tue Jan 27, 2015 9AM-5PM Where: Downtown Portland Meet at: Gresham City Hall 1333 NW Eastman Pwy Gresham, OR Get Map!

The three-mile out-and-back trail starts at the Clear Lake Sno-Park and goes down a groomed gentle grade to the lake shore. Drivers are needed who are equipped and willing to drive in the snow. Sno-Park permits are required for drivers’ cars. We will stop in Government Camp for those who need to rent snowshoes. Pack a snack to eat along the trail. We will eat a late lunch at the Still Creek Inn in Rhododendron.

• Round-trip travel: 100 miles
• Difficulty: Moderate
• Elevation gain: 300 feet
• Suggested donation per hiker: $10

Please note: This date may change depending on weather and snow conditions on the mountain.

Click to enlarge

Learn About Local Raptors When: Tue Jan 27, 2015 6PM-8:30PM Where: Gresham City Hall 1333 NW Eastman Pkwy Gresham, OR Get Map!

Birds of Prey
The word “raptor” means to seize or grasp, and that’s one of the things raptors do best. They are great hunters, and have special adaptations that make them unique in the natural world. Come learn about the raptors that are the eye in the sky over Gresham with our birds of prey class. We will teach you how to properly identify native raptors as well as delve into their fascinating natural history and their amazing adaptations to catching prey. You can then employ the skills you learned at the 11th annual Raptor Road Trip on Sauvie Island on Saturday, Jan. 31.

This class is free and suitable for all ages.