Volume 4, Issue 6
One City's Wilderness: Portland's Forest Park
reviewed by Brian Thompson 

Urban forests are rare treasures, and one of the largest in the country is located nearby in Portland, Oregon. Forest Park encompasses over 5,000 acres of second growth forest left mostly to develop naturally since the park was established in 1948.

The third edition (2010) of One City’s Wilderness by Marcy Cottrell Houle, now available in the Miller Library, is an excellent introduction to the flora and fauna of Forest Park, along with its history, geology, and topography. Summaries of these topics form the introductory chapters, with highlights found in the extensive descriptions of 29 recommended hikes that follow.

The maps, elevation graphs, and finding aids for these hikes are top-notch. Even from my home in Seattle some 200 miles away, I enjoyed the narrative of these forest adventures located only a few minutes from downtown Portland. As author Houle concludes, “Forest Park’s pristine and natural features are what set it apart from all other city parks in the nation. No other urban park in the United States offers anything comparable in quantity or quality.”

Forest Park would be an excellent destination for your summer travels. I recommend reading this book to get the most enjoyment from your visit.

Library schedule changes ahead for summer quarter

Summer quarter is just around the corner. Mark your calendar now with our summer hours. June 19 through September 18 the Miller Library will be open noon to 8 pm Mondays. Each Tuesday-Friday we will remain open 9-5 throughout the summer with the exception of all-day closures on Wednesday, June 28 and Tuesday, July 4.

As usual, the library will be closed Saturdays in July and August, leaving more time for gardening!

Susan Lally-Chiu:
Drawings from our Edible Gardens

Have you seen what's growing at UW Farm this summer? While you're on site, be sure to take a look at the library's next exhibit. Seattle artist Susan Lally-Chiu celebrates the diversity of our locally grown vegetables and fruits through elegant large scale drawings, colorful watercolor sketches with pen, delicate linocuts and a series of sketchbooks. 

New to the Library