The Experience: The first thing you need to know about Bishop’s Close, a privately owned garden in southwest Portland, it that it does not have public restrooms. The second thing is that it’s really designed as a place for quiet comtemplation, not for rambunctious children.
Those two caveats being noted, Bishop’s Close can be a wonderful place to take kids for a short stroll, provided they use the toilet before you go and they can stick to a path without running and shouting.
Knowing they are likely to see rough-skinned newts and Anna’s hummingbirds if they walk slowly and quietly may be an incentive for your kids to follow the rules. The garden is a great place to go any time of year, but especially in January and February, when the gray and dreary days can make us all wish we lived in southern California.
You and the kids will be surprised to see how many plants actually bloom in late winter, from witch hazel trees to snow drops, hellebore, viburnum and Japanese paper bush. Many of these early bloomers are also especially fragrant (it must have something to do with evolution), so make sure your little ones get their noses up close to take in the full experience.
Officially titled the Elk Rock Gardens of the Bishop’s Close, the garden is part of a private estate that was originally owned by grain exporter Peter Kerr. After Kerr died in 1957, his heirs donated the property to the Episcopal Diocese of Oregon, with the stipulation that the garden be open to the public. “Close” refers to an enclosed area around a church or other sacred space which provides a place for quiet and meditation.
Eileen Fitzsimmons, who recently completed a history of the area for the Elk Rock Garden Committee, believes that Bishop’s Close is the oldest intact private garden in the state of Oregon, with some of the plantings dating back as far as 1897.
Located on the west side of the Willametter River just off of Highway 43, the garden ranges from neat and formal around the house to fairly wild out toward the bluff. You’ll find the rough-skinned newts in the creek that runs through the center of the property.
The 411
Recommended Ages: All ages, if they can follow the rules.
Hours: 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. every day, except some holidays.
Cost: Free
Location/Directions: Bishop’s Close is located at 11800 SW Military Lane. To get there, turn east toward the river at the intersection of State Route 43 and Military Road (approximately two miles north of Lake Oswego and two miles south of the Sellwood Bridge). Take an immediate right turn (heading south) on Military Lane, which dead-ends at the entrance to the property.
Contact information: For more information call 503-636-5613 or visit www.diocese-oregon.org
July 27th, 2010 | Category: Family Fun Home, Family Fun Reviews
