Chip Ross Park and Natural Area
Location: On the far north side of Corvallis. Parking access is at the end of Lester Ave. Additional access is by trail from Timberhill Open Space.
Size: 125.6 acres
About the Natural Area
Chip Ross Natural Area offers beautiful views of Corvallis, the Willamette Valley, the Coast Range and the Cascade Mountains. The natural area is a designated off-leash area for dogs and their humans to socialize and enjoy. There are picnic tables at the Lester Avenue trailhead.
The Natural Area features an easy-to-moderate 1.5 mile hiking trail through oak woodland and hilltop habitats of upland prairie and oak savanna. Hikers and runners can also access the many miles of trails in adjacent McDonald Forest from here. Horseback riding and bicycling are permitted on seasonally designated trails.
Chip Ross Natural Area News
Area Oak Habitat Restoration Project Update
Post-harvest seeding of the entire site resulted in recruitment of many desirable native species including yarrow, selfheal, and many native grasses. Understory shrubs are beginning to recover with Ocean spray (Holodiscus discolor) and Salmonberry (Rubus spectabilis) showing the greatest initial vigor. Another positive side effect of the disturbance was the discovery of several unusual wildflowers species which had been previously hidden from view. However we ask that park users use restraint and remain on the trail as all of these plants can be viewed from our existing trail network.
During Summer 2017, crews were dispatched to treat for the following invasive species:
- False brome (Brachypodium sylvaticum)
- Scotch broom (Cytisus scoparius)
- English hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna)
- Spurge laurel (Daphne laureola)
- Himalayan blackberry (Rubus armeniacus)
The remaining slash piles were burned in Fall 2017. Consumption was good and no further slash burning is planned for this project.
Public Works crews installed three new culverts and inboard ditches on the east summit trail. This has markedly improved drainage. In addition they built a long inboard ditch near the parking lot on the west summit trail. Next spring/summer further trail improvements are planned including the installation of additional culverts, inboard ditches and trail surface improvements (gravel). We are aware that trail conditions were extremely poor last winter and we are working hard to make the needed improvements using funds from the oak release project.
The construction of a new trail along the North Slope is also under way using volunteer labor and managed by our volunteer coordinator Steve McGettigan. If you are interested in participating please contact us through our volunteer page.
We continue to see increases in use by acorn woodpeckers and other birds. We worked with the local chapter of the Audubon Society who installed four bluebird nest boxes which were used by three pairs of house wrens and a blue green swallow pair over the spring/summer. We hope to see some bluebirds.
Chip Ross Trail Improvement 2017 Plan Update
Parks and Recreation staff are improving trails at Chip Ross by adding base rock at the muddiest locations, replacing undersized culverts, and placing a cap rock layer on much of the trail loop. The goal of this project will be to improve year-round trail conditions within the natural area. While the trail project is not part of the oak restoration, the funding for the trail work is coming from revenues received from the oak release timber harvest.
Contact Jude Geist, Parks Division Supervisor, with any questions or concerns phone at 541-766-6967 and/or email.
