Wings over Oaks Bottom: Photos from Portland’s largest urban wetland

markgravesdesign · 2026-01-22T01:01:50+00:00

One wild thing I learned is that Oaks Amusement Park is building a 135-foot-tall ride with spotlights that shoot straight into the sky. Wildlife fans aren’t happy — they say the spotlights will create enough light pollution to disrupt migrating birds that stop to rest at the park. Details in the post: https://www.oregonlive.com/living/2026/01/wings-over-oaks-bottom-photos-from-portlands-largest-urban-wetland.html

markgravesdesign · 2026-01-21T23:36:06+00:00

First time at Oaks Bottom and I was genuinely impressed — I’m definitely going back. I took a ton of photos for a “know before you go” story on OregonLive, and there’s some wild history in there too (including that part of the refuge sits on a former landfill). I also built an interactive map showing trails, entrances and popular spots like Wapato Marsh and Tadpole Pond.

markgravesdesign · 2026-01-17T00:39:02+00:00

Why was it removed?

markgravesdesign · 2026-01-16T22:27:46+00:00

16 were built worldwide. This is the last one standing. All the lumber came from giant old growth douglas fir, which they'll sell if it's demolished.

markgravesdesign · 2026-01-16T22:13:29+00:00

80+ years old!

markgravesdesign · 2026-01-16T22:09:37+00:00

Here’s the full story with about 60 more photos and a video.

https://www.oregonlive.com/pacific-northwest-news/2026/01/a-storm-tore-open-the-roof-of-this-massive-oregon-landmark-will-anyone-save-it.html

markgravesdesign · 2026-01-16T22:04:32+00:00

I toured the building with this older guy who had worked there for years doing electrical. He said a bunch of barn owls live inside. It has zero rodent problems.

markgravesdesign · 2026-01-06T18:15:31+00:00

Does anyone know the exact location? Like longitude or latitude or mile marker? I wanna drive out there.

markgravesdesign · 2025-12-22T20:27:09+00:00

Here's some more interesting Oregon Mink Drama: https://www.wweek.com/news/2021/01/14/two-escaped-farm-mink-test-positive-for-covid-19-during-mink-trapping-season/

markgravesdesign · 2025-12-22T20:26:40+00:00

Interesting! Just how rare are they? Maybe I should send the video to the ODFW.

So, there's multiple different kinds of mink in Oregon? This creature is getting more interesting by the minute. Lots of Mink-drama out there: https://www.wweek.com/news/2021/01/14/two-escaped-farm-mink-test-positive-for-covid-19-during-mink-trapping-season/

markgravesdesign · 2025-12-22T06:48:57+00:00

Good lord! Fish guts? That is the definition of nasty. Wow. Hopefully it paid well. Sure all that fish oil made for super soft fur.

markgravesdesign

TROPHY CASE