Activities & Education
Activities Committee
The Friends offer free educational and recreational activities at the park, including yoga, qi gong, lawn games, music jams, solstice events, hobby classes, drum circles, walking, and running groups! Our activities are advertised on our Facebook page and on the park bulletin boards.
The Committee relies on volunteers to plan the activities and community members who desire to lead or present a specific activity. This is a fun way to meet others and support the park.
Check the calendar on the Home page for our next meeting date or contact us for more information!
This is a sample of activities offered in 2025.
Ford’s Pond is a Birding Hot-Spot!
Over 200 species have been recorded.
Join the Umpqua Valley Audubon Society for birding walks on the second Saturday of most months. Meet at the Church Rd entrance. New birders and families are welcome, and loaner binoculars will be available. Group spends approximately 2 hours on Pond Loop. No registration is needed. Visit the UVAS website for start time, more information, and any last-minute weather cancellations.
Visit eBird for the current species list.
Healthy Lifestyles
Working with our partner Thrive Umpqua – A Certified Blue Zones Community – we co-host active events to promote healthier lifestyles. Ford’s Pond Community Park is the perfect venue for walking, bike riding, running, skating/blading, and pushing the stroller events.
The Annual 5K Walk/Run at Ford’s Pond sees hundreds of participants cross the finish line!
Environmental Education
Ford’s Pond Community Park is an outdoor classroom. Schools and local clubs enjoy using the park to conduct nature studies, scavenger hunts, and geocaching events.
Self-Guided Education
The interpretive panels along the 2-mile Pond Loop Path are designed to inspire further exploration, enhance understanding of environmental processes and issues, and ultimately lead to more positive behaviors and protection of our natural resources.
THIS GUIDE has information for pre-trip planning. We suggest concentrating on one panel during each visit, choosing a specific topic or species for further examination, and then following your newfound interest/knowledge!
Huge thanks to the volunteer creative team and those who donated photos: Mary Brennan, Beth & Jim Houseman, Matt Hunter, Abraham Finlay, Tamara, Steve, Tatiana, & Ruby Marchi, Bonnie Dauterman, Kim Blossom, Vincent Strahan, Stef Neyhart, and Alan Bright.