Need a fun activity to keep the kids from driving you crazy?

Check out Cooper Mountain Nature Park located at 18892 SW Kemmer Rd., Beaverton.

Overlooking the Tualatin Valley the park has 231 acres with 3 1/2 miles of gravel trails.

The trails are very well marked and you may even run into a park ranger who will answer your questions and tell you about the latest wildlife sightings.

You can hike, walk, watch wildlife or simply enjoy the views when you visit but leave your dog at home as dogs are not allowed on the trails.

There is also a nice playground area for the kids.

What was once the hunting and gathering grounds for the native Atfalati tribes and later the site of a “Poor Farm” and sanatorium for people with infectious diseases and mental illness, is now a beautiful “green jewel” in the middle of a major metropolitan city.  Thanks to the vision of Portland’s civic leaders the area has been preserved as a public park dedicated to the growing and conserving of tree species from around the world.

Whether you are looking for a quick botany lesson or just a peaceful escape to enjoy the beauty of nature the Arboretum is the perfect spot.  The grounds are open from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily and there is a visitor center.  Check the Arboretum website for their hours.

Pick up a map at the visitor center for one of their guided walks. 

The trails are well marked and you can identify some of the over 1,000 different species of trees and plants using the plant markers on many of the trees.

Many of the trails are wheelchair accessible too.

“He who plants a tree plants hope” – Lucy Larcom