Discover historic Lake Oswego with Metro's Walk There! event series
Join Metro and local author Laura Foster to explore historic downtown Lake Oswego. The Lake Oswego stroll, which is part of Metro's spring and summer Walk There! event series, steps off on Wednesday, May 26 at 2 p.m. and will explore about two miles of sidewalks and streets over flat terrain.
The route will start at the Irish Totem statue on the east side of Evergreen Road where it intersects with Second Street. The walk will head south on Main Street, passing the historic Lake Theatre and offices of Paul Murphy, designed by Richard Sundeleaf during Lake Oswego's "live where you play" years.
The walk will then wind through the quiet streets of the Lakewood neighborhood, developed in the 1920s, and visit the Lake Oswego Swim Park that was built by WPA workers in the Depression. Here, Laura Foster will teach the group about the Lake Corporation that manages this private body of water. Next, the group will cross the lake on Northshore Road and learn about the natural and human history that created the lake we know today.
Finally, the route will head into the historic First Addition neighborhood originally called New Town, and platted to house workers at Oswego's second iron smelter. After a stop and restroom break at the Lake Oswego Library, the group will visit two of Lake Oswego's heritage trees, a sugar maple and American elm, before heading back to the start point.
To take part in the walk on May 26, meet at 1:45 p.m. at the Irish Totem statue on at Evergreen Road and Second Street in Lake Oswego. The walk will end at 3:30 p.m. back at the statue. Prior registration is not required.
During the 2010 spring and summer Walk There! event series, Metro will explore routes from the book featuring natural areas, downtowns and historic sites in Wilsonville, Gresham, Portland, Hillsboro, Vancouver and Milwaukie. Several of these walks will be led by Laura Foster.
Foster is the editor of Metro's Walk There! book and the author of other books that explore the region's diverse landscapes and neighborhoods including Portland Hill Walks and Portland City Walks.
Metro's Walk There! book is a pocket-sized guide filled with detailed maps and descriptions of 50 treks in and around Portland and Vancouver. The easy-to-use format allows readers to focus on nature, fitness and fun. The maps also show readers how to extend their walk with public transportation, so they don't even need a car.
