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Oak Grove Garden Club



You are invited to learn about the Historic river-front Risley Landing Gardens

Risley Landing Gardens is located in the Milwaukie-Oak Grove area, on the Willamette River. It is a part of the original mile-long river front Jacob S. Risley donation land claim, granted in 1866 by President Andrew Johnson. The site was settled by pioneer Orville Risley in the early 1850's. Fruits, vegetables, hops, grains, lumber, and building stone produced in the area were shipped by barge and steam vessels from Risley Landing to markets in Oregon City and Portland during the 1850's through the 1890's. Until the establishment of the electric car line in 1893, the river was the primary means of transportation.

The 20 x 30 foot basalt stone foundation of the old landing, with its 5 x 20 foot retaining wall, was quarried from the nearby Risley quarry. The original stone foundation has been developed as an interpretive study area nestled beneath a canopy of native trees. The 1.12 acre site was kept, unsold, in the Risley family for over 100 years; until it was donated to the Oak Grove Garden Club in 1983 by Hugh G. Starkweather for use as a memorial park in memory of his sisters and his mother. Mr. Starkweather was a great-grandson of Orville Risley; a grandson of Jacob S. Risley and William Starkweather, a prominent Democratic legislator and son of legislator and educator Harvey Starkweather.

Risley Landing, with its gently sloping contours, stately oak trees, and numerous native and domestic plants, had become overgrown with briars and poison oak. It has been transformed by the Garden Club members in accordance with a master plan donated by the Oregon Parks Foundation, with the assistance of friends and neighbors, professionals, and businessmen, who have donated services and materials. Their invaluable support has helped earn a 1988 Clackamas County Chamber of Commerce "Beautification Award" for Risley Landing Gardens. The Gardens were formally dedicated on June 26, 1988 by proclamation of the Clackamas County Commissioners. A bronze memorial plaque recording that event is embedded in the landing foundation wall.

       

    General Information    

Risley Landing Gardens is being developed by Oak Grove Garden Club, Inc., a tax- exempt corporation. The Gardens are supported by the Garden Club, contributors, special gifts, and memorial funds which are tax deductible.

    Aims & Goals for the Gardens    

To enhance the existing terrain with native plants, endangered species and domestic plants according to adaptability.

To preserve existing plants and trees, and to select additional habitats which provide food and sites for birds, butterflies, and other wildlife.

To use historical river landing foundation area as an educational interpretive center.

To furnish accommodations for classes and speakers on horticulturally related topics, and for gathering local historical information.

We, the garden club, must seize every opportunity to keep our part of the earth as beautiful and as liveable as we can, for ourselves and for our children's children. This is our goal for the new millenium.

       

Holiday Greens Sale!

We hope you plan to attend our annual Holiday Greens Sale! It will be the first weekend in December, the 4th & 5th, 2009, from 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM. There is always a variety of lovely arrangements of Holiday Greenery, including Wreaths, Swags, Centerpieces, Yule Logs, Refreshments, and Gift Items; and Fresh Greens will be available at the Risley Landing Park. Go to the Holiday Greens Sale page for a map to the garden.



Our annual Spring Plant Sale is always a fun opportunity to add new plants to your garden! It will be held on Saturday May 2nd, 2009, from 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM at the Risley Landing Gardens. Each year there are approximately 2,000 containers of Trees, Bushes, Flowering plants and Ground-covers - and everything in between. Go to the Spring Plant Sale page for a map to the garden.

    Be a Contributing Supporter    

You are invited to join the growing list of supporters of the historic Risley Landing Gardens. While contributing supporters are not necessarily members, they are eligible for these benefits: use of the Gardens on scheduled days for * Guided Tours * Bird and wildlife observation * Plant study * Consultation with Garden Club horticulturists * Personal satisfaction derived from preservation of river front property for use by future generations * (and) Your contribution is tax deductible.

Gifts commemorating birthdays or other occasions are always appreciated, and those whom you wish to honor will be notified. For more information on being a Contributing Supporter please click on this link.

        Gifts        

The garden club offers two $1,000 scholarships to Clackamas Community College and/or the Sabin Occupational Skills Center for a graduating senior majoring in Horticulture.

       

    An invitation to Volunteer    

Volunteers are vitally important to the Gardens. Perhaps you have time and skills to offer. Contact us to indicate your interests in a Work Party, Fund Raising, Materials, or Guiding Tour Groups.

       

    Garden Usage    


The park - Risley Landing Gardens - is available for groups, with permission, from 10:00 AM to dusk. Maximum capacity: 100 persons. Parking space is available for 20 to 30 cars. The use of Risley Landing Gardens is by appointment, and tours will be accompanied by a trained guide.

Larger User Areas
      1. The Pavilion will seat up to 35 persons on built-in benches.
      2. The Landing Depot foundation is 20' x 30', with seating on the walls. It has a view of the river.
      3. The River Terrace area is 30' x 60', is flat for tables, and has a view of the river.
      4. There is no beach access from the gardens.

Reservations for Park Use
Please go to the Park Use information page for more details.

LINKS!
Events Calender How To Contact Us
Holiday Greens Sale Information Spring Plant Sale Information
Photo Gallery - under construction! Reservations for Park Use


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This domain and website OakGroveGardenClub.com is dedicated to the memory of my grandmother, Audrey Larie Dirr Poland, and has been donated to and maintained for the Oak Grove Garden Club by Sandra Larie Reiley-Lince in her honor.