Page 57 - Southern Oregon Magazine Summer 2021

PARKS

IN AND NEAR
KLAMATH

FALLS

Places to Play, Hike, Bike,
Paddle or Picnic

& lee juillerat

hoices. Parks in and just outside the
Klamath Falls city limits offer many
choices for a variety of forms of rec-
Creation, or just relaxing.

Examples: Take the kids to a play area with an
array of equipment to climb on, slide down,
and explore. Ride a mountain bike on easy
or seriously challenging trails. Enjoy a picnic.
Swim in an outdoor geothermally heated pool
that’s open year-round. Play tennis, pickle-
ball, soccer or softball. Go boating or kayak-
ing. Watch pelicans and grebes. Feed ducks.
Go fishing. Play a round of disc golf. Hike or
run for miles on paved and backcountry trails.
Let the dog off the leash to romp around. Or
plunk away on a piano or ring-a-ling gongs and
chimes.

Parks in Klamath Falls offer a surprising and
varied potpourri of possibilities. Within the city
limits are 600 acres of regional, community,
and neighborhood and “pocket” parklands.150
acres have been developed for recreational use,
while another 450 acres are natural areas. And,
just outside the incorporated area even more
parks offer even more possibilities.

“Our parks are part of our culture,” says city
parks director John Bellon. “People living in
and near Klamath Falls are connected to nature
and the outdoors.”

“We’re doing a phenomenal job with what
we’ve got—and we’re getting more. The parks

summer 2021 | www.southernoregonmagazine.com 55