| Elijah Bristow State Park | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Picnic area in the park | |
   | |
| Type | Public, state |
| Location | Lane County,Oregon |
| Nearest city | Eugene |
| Coordinates | 43°55′14″N122°48′44″W / 43.9206813°N 122.8122947°W /43.9206813; -122.8122947[1] |
| Area | 847 acres (343 ha) |
| Operated by | Oregon Parks and Recreation Department |
| Open | Year-round |
Elijah Bristow State Park is astate park in theU.S. state ofOregon, administered by theOregon Parks and Recreation Department. It has more than 10 miles (16 km) of well-maintained trails along ponds, wetlands, meadows, and theMiddle Fork Willamette River, and through forests of broadleaf and evergreen trees. The trails are open to horses, hikers, and mountain bikers, and there is a separate equestrian staging area popular with riding clubs.[2]
The 847-acre (343 ha) park was named forElijah Bristow, one of the first pioneersettlers in Lane County. Located directly downstream ofDexter Reservoir, the site was originally calledDexter State Park. It was renamed in 1979 to honor Bristow, who founded the nearby community ofPleasant Hill in the mid-19th century.[3]
The park's trail system includes part of a trail linkingAlton Baker Park inEugene to thePacific Crest Trail nearOakridge. Named trails in the park include Equestrian, River, Lost Creek, Pond Loop, and Fishermen's, which interconnect "like a tangle of intersecting puzzle pieces".[3]
Wildlife in the park includessalmon andsteelhead,osprey,great blue herons,bald eagles andbeaver. Among the thousands of species in the park are the threatenedWestern pond turtle and theOregon chub.[2]
Activities, in addition to hiking, horse riding, biking, and fishing, include wildlife watching, picnicking, and boating.[2] A wildlife viewing platform overlooks the pond complex in the park.[3]
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