BIRDING SITES
01. Willamette Heights
02. Dorris Ranch
03. Jasper Pond
04. Clearwater Park
05. Volunteer Park
06. Wyatt Meadows
07. Jasper Meadows
08. Walterville Pond
09. Bob Artz Park
10. Wallace Ruff Park
11. Lively Park
12. EWEB Bike Path
13. Harvest Landing
14. Corporate Way
15. Guy Lee Park
16. By-Gully Path
17. Kelly Butte
18. Eastgate
19. West D Greenway
20. Island Park
21. Millrace Park
Photo Credits
Unless otherwise noted, all bird photographs courtesy of Greg Gillson thebirdguide.com.
Birding Trail Site #10
Wallace Ruff Park
1161 North 66th Street
Dense riparian edge rich in spring birdsong
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Shown above: Black-capped Chickadee and Black-headed Grosbeak
Facts
• A donated park containing a magnolia arboretum and other exotic
plantings
• Much of the arboretum maintenance is done by the Friends of Ruff
Park through monthly work parties
• 9.8 acres
• Park hours: 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Habitat
The park is surrounded on three sides (bisected on the north) by South Cedar Creek, and bordered on the far north edge by North Cedar Creek. Riparian habitat consists of mature bigleaf maples, Oregon ash, red-twig dogwood, and snowberry.
Birding Highlights
Wood Ducks, Western Wood-Pewee, Willow Flycatcher, Cedar Waxwing, Black-headed Grosbeak, Black-capped Chickadee, and Common Yellowthroat use the riparian edge. Song Sparrow and Spotted Towhee make use of the brushy areas. Violet-green Swallows and American Robin find food in the open spaces.
Other Attractions
The park has a .3 mile loop walking path near the riparian edge weaving in and out of the magnolias. Ruff Park provides a quiet walk with a rural feel. Deer visit the area. Ring-necked Pheasants and California Quail can be heard on neighboring farm land. Dragonflies and damselflies are present.
The peak bloom of the deciduous magnolias is late March to mid-April. The grandifloras start blooming in late June and continue on into August. Other bulbs, perennials, and shrubs contribute to the flowering beauty of the park throughout the spring and summer.
Getting There
The park address is 1161 66th Street with a panhandle entrance from 66th Street between North and South Cedar Creek. Improvements are planned for the 66th Street entrance including a parking area and a pedestrian bridge into the park over South Cedar Creek. At this time, that entrance is still unimproved. Currently, park users are entering the park through the public streets in the Levi Landing subdivision. To get to the park, turn north from Thurston Road onto 67th Street. Go two blocks and turn right onto Moses Pass. At the next intersection, turn left onto 67th Place. In two blocks, turn left onto Jacob Lane and park along the street.
There is a 435’ long paved walk into the park from Jacob Lane between the houses located at 6718 and 6736 Jacob Lane.
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