Washington Park: World Forestry Center

The World Forestry Center has reopened!

I had always enjoyed visiting before, but one thing I noticed this time is a diversifying of types of experience.

I was most impressed by the new theater, with interesting and insightful short films playing on rotation.

The staffer checking us in had mentioned the art exhibit upstairs, "Rethinking Fire", where artist Bryan David Griffith has used fire as a tool. He said on a day like that day -- where the skies showed the smoke of wildfires burning -- that it really made you think.

I don't exactly disagree, but the films -- particularly The West Is Burning -- made me think much more.

Different exhibits will have different impacts on different people; that is why the variety is helpful.

The variety includes the ability to make sounds with various wooden instruments, creating a tactile and sonic experience.

One cross-section of a tree was set up with magnification for the years represented by the different rings. Noting that tree's timeline, which shows a start around 1323, can be awe-inspiring.

Then, you may explore the ecosystem of what is underneath a tree through cute plush, or crawl through a log and listen to the sounds of the animals that inhabit it.

There are plenty of examples of tools and equipment used in the logging industry, then and now.

We were especially impressed with an area for smaller children, with books and boards they can play with.

I know many local parents still grieve the loss of the nearby Children's Museum, and I think the Forestry Center can help fill that gap.

The admission has been lowered to $5 per person, with children under 2 able to visit for free.

Accessibility: There is an elevator, as well as accessible bathrooms. The entrance itself, flanked with two large staircases, can be intimidating. The best bet would be to park in the lot for the Vietnam Veteran's of Oregon Memorial (Lot C), parking and crossing on the North end, and using the sidewalk there. 

COVID: More people were masked than not, but some not masking indicates that it is not enforced. It was not crowded while we were there.

Some people may have forgotten about it in the interim, but the World Forestry Center is back and has a lot to offer.

https://www.worldforestry.org/