The Oregon State Parks Department and the member-based non-profit organization Oregon State Parks Foundation have cut the ribbon to open the Experience Center at Cottonwood Canyon State Park, together with the first group of students to use the facility, the Cottonwood Crossing Summer Institute.
Cottonwood Canyon State Park, an 8,000-acre park that straddles the John Day River in eastern Oregon, is the second largest park in the State Park system, and one of the newest.
The Experience Center is the heart of the $1.6 million project, which will ultimately include eight cabins, a restroom and shower facility, and a new group camping area. The grand opening for the full experience Center complex is scheduled for September 18.
The Oregon State Parks Foundation raised $800,000 for the Experience Center build-out, furthering the member-based organization’s mission to help support the Oregon State Parks through additional funding, to enhance the visitor experience and educational opportunities in State Parks.
The overarching goal of the Experience Center project is to provide a space for both an outdoor school and a gathering place for groups coming to Cottonwood Canyon.
At a modest 1,700 square feet, the sustainably designed multi-use Experience Center will include classroom space, interpretive displays, activity and meeting areas, a park-specific library, and relaxation and contemplation space. There will be a shaded outdoor area with a fireplace, and walkways connecting the Experience Center, campsites, and cabin areas.
The space will provide an opportunity for residential outdoor learning, regional activities, environmental education, and cultural events that will serve the community, the region, and state park visitors from across the state and nation.
The Experience Center was built using a variety of sustainable building practices, including smart site design, and sustainable material and solar energy usage.
Notably both the interior and exterior have extensive Juniper finishes. Juniper is seen by many as a water-hoarding nuisance in the region; the Juniper used in this project was harvested locally and resulted in a truly beautiful design aesthetic. The building demonstrates that Juniper is a viable commercial construction element that yields great results.
About the Oregon State Parks Foundation
The Oregon State Parks Foundation is a state-wide, member-supported, non-profit partner of the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department. The Foundation is dedicated to raising funds to enhance and preserve special places and experiences in Oregon’s State Parks.
You may not know that NOT A SINGLE PENNY of state taxes has gone to support the State Parks since 1998. Instead, user fees cover about 55 percent of the operating costs, and the Oregon Lottery covers about 44 percent. Hence, your parks need your support by becoming a member of the Foundation.
Since 1995, the Foundation has supported many vital projects such as restoring Vista House at Crown Point, helping to renovate five Oregon Lighthouses, and preserving the Kam Wah Chung & Co Museum.
The Foundation strives to connect all Oregonians with their State Parks, to enrich the visitor experience through interpretation and education, and to promote an active and healthy lifestyle.
To learn more about the Foundation, and to become a member, go to: www.oregonstateparksfoundation.org.
