Butterfly Park facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Butterfly Park |
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![]() Interpretive sign at park, 2010
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Type | Urban park |
Location | Portland, Oregon, U.S. |
Area | 1.07 acres (0.43 ha) |
Created | 1996 |
Operated by | Portland Parks & Recreation |
Butterfly Park is a cool city park in south Portland, Oregon. It's about 1 acre (0.4 hectares) in size. You can find it at 7720 Southwest Macadam Avenue. This park has a special natural area and nice walking paths. It's also very close to the Willamette River.
The park is a great home for many butterflies. You might spot beautiful mourning cloak butterflies or bright orange sulphur butterflies here. It's a small but very important green space for nature.
Discover Butterfly Park
Butterfly Park is a small but mighty park in Portland. It's known for its natural beauty and peaceful atmosphere. The park offers a quiet escape right in the city. It's a perfect spot to enjoy nature and watch wildlife.
What You'll See
When you visit Butterfly Park, you'll find a welcoming entrance. There's a pretty rock garden with colorful flowers. Look for columbines, penstemon, and fireweed. These plants help make the park beautiful.
The park used to have a lot of Himalayan blackberries. Now, it's filled with native plants. You'll see local grasses, wildflowers, and dogwood trees. These plants are important for the park's wildlife.
Many different birds also love Butterfly Park. Keep an eye out for cedar waxwings and killdeer. You might also hear orioles singing. Chickadees and other birds are common visitors too.
There's a bench along the walking trail. From this spot, you can enjoy amazing views. You can see Ross Island and other cool places along the river. It's a great place to relax and take in the scenery.
Exploring the Trails
Butterfly Park is connected to a larger trail system. The Greenway Trail runs through the park. This trail is part of the 40-Mile Loop. The 40-Mile Loop is a big network of trails around Portland.
If you head north on the Greenway Trail, you can reach Miles Place. You can also get to Willamette Park. Going south, the trail leads to other natural areas. These include the Willamette Moorage Natural Area and Powers Marine Park. You can even walk to the Sellwood Bridge.
Just south of Butterfly Park, Stephens Creek flows into the Willamette River. On the other side of the river, you'll find more fun places. These include Oaks Amusement Park and Sellwood Riverfront Park.
How the Park Was Made
It took about 10 years to create Butterfly Park. Before it was a park, it was just an unused piece of land. It was near a community of houseboats called the Macadam Bay Club.
The South Portland Neighborhood Association helped a lot. They worked with Portland Parks & Recreation. Together, they transformed the land into the beautiful park it is today. Even though it's small, Butterfly Park is very important for nature. It's one of the most productive greenspaces in the area.