Explore Oregon Podcast: The rise, fall and rebirth of state parks over 100 years

Zach Urness, Salem Statesman Journal
·1 min read

Oregon's state parks showcase many of the state's most beautiful places as well as the largest and most iconic campgrounds. But how did this system of more than 350 parks, recreation areas and the Oregon Coast come together?

It's a story of ambition and conservation, of colorful characters, near-calamity and rebirth.

In this episode of the Explore Oregon Podcast, Zach talks to Oregon Parks and Recreation Department historian Christy Sweet and associate director and parks spokesman Chris Havel about 100 years of the agency's history and how state parks came together.

They talk about the record-smashing numbers of people visiting state parks and the Oregon Coast — and what's being done about overuse and crowding — before taking a deep dive into history. They talk about the father of Oregon's state parks system, Sam Boardman, and look at different eras, including the post-war boom of campgrounds, nude beaches and the moment when Oregon was so broke it almost shut down 56 state parks — and why that didn't ultimately happen.

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Smith Rock State Park has become increasingly crowded on weekends during the past two and a half years.
Smith Rock State Park has become increasingly crowded on weekends during the past two and a half years.

This article originally appeared on Salem Statesman Journal: The rise, fall, rebirth of 100 years of Oregon's state parks