Orleans Natural Area

Location: 

East of the Willamette River, on the west side of the Hwy 34 bypass.

Size: 

36.03 acres 

This park is a combination of undeveloped natural area and agricultural land rented to local farmers by the City of Corvallis. There is no formal parking area. Since the park is bordered by the Willamette River, Hwy 34 and the Hwy 34 bypass, guests are encouraged to use caution when in the area. The natural area can be reached by foot access from the Susan B. Wilkins path beginning just east of the Van Buren Bridge.

Orleans Natural Area is formerly known as the Martin Luther King, Jr. park and was renamed in the summer of 2008. After reviewing feedback from the community and recommendation from the Parks, Natural Areas, and Recreation Board (PNARARB), the City Council voted to rename the area Orleans Natural Area in honor of the German settlement of Orleans which occupied the land long ago but was destroyed by a flood in 1861. The change from park to natural area was also selected as a better descriptor of the landscape.