Ford's Pond Community Park
A Place for the Community & Beyond
Located in southwestern Oregon, the 202-acre Ford’s Pond Community Park is home to the 95-acre Ford’s Pond. Most of the park is being conserved as open space, primarily on the west hillside. Visitors can access the pond and hillside trails via the 2-mile paved Pond Loop Path. The southeast corner features an inclusive playground designed for all ages and abilities.
Recreation & Community Engagement
Inclusive Playground
The playground is designed for visitors of all ages and abilities. It features a younger play area with a boat, climbing dock, and beaver lodge. There are also multi-generational activities available, including ping-pong, musical instruments, a carousel, and slides. The Great Lawn allows for space for fitness classes, games, or simply relaxing with a blanket.
Additionally, three covered picnic shelters and restrooms are accessible year-round.
Pond Loop Path
The shared-use Pond Loop Path is paved, except for a portion that is a boardwalk.
Starting from the Church Rd. parking area, the loop is 2 miles. Distances can be deceiving: carry water during warmer months. A bottle filling station is outside the Church Rd restrooms.
Information on the interpretive panels along the path can be found here.
Bird Viewing Plaza
The plaza honors the memory of Anna (Turko) & William Slemmer and realizes Anna’s vision of a place to learn about the birds and nature in Douglas County. The plaza has room for tripods and small lectures. The benches are oriented for viewing the west side of Ford’s Pond and the adjacent wetlands.
Information on the unique metal canopies can be found here.
Primitive Hillside Trails
The paths are mowed and offer hiking and mountain biking access to the west hillside.
- The Meadowlark Loop (0.7 miles) offers a unique perspective of the pond from the southwest corner.
- The Rosa Ridge Loop (0.9 miles) offers views of nearby mountains and valleys from under the oak canopy.
Boating/Fishing
Self-propelled watercraft and electric motors under 5 mph are allowed on Ford’s Pond. Enjoy fishing for crappie, bluegill, perch, and largemouth bass with a state license. Check with ODFW for current fishing regulations. Please remove all fishing line from the property! Protect our wildlife! Access is easiest from the Hwy 138W parking area.
Ford’s Pond is Transforming Lives
Many studies have shown that having a nearby park to exercise and enjoy the outdoors can improve physical and emotional health. Roger and Julie Cox kindly shared their story. With appreciation to Big Wrench Media and The Ford Family Foundation.
Plan Your Visit
Events
Calendar of Events
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Sunday
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Monday
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Tuesday
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Wednesday
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Thursday
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Friday
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Saturday
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0 events,
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1 event,
Meet us at the Church Road parking lot and walk the loop with Jude, a Friends of Ford's Pond volunteer. Walking will be at a moderate pace and the pond … |
0 events,
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2 events,Join the UC-VEG group and walk the 2-mile paved loop, rain or shine. Meet at the Church Rd. Everyone is welcome. Dogs are allowed on a leash. Time may change … Feel the flow! Wednesdays in June. Class will be on the great lawn at the Church Road Park. Students meet at the West (far) Pavilion. |
0 events,
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2 events,
Meet us at the Church Road parking lot and walk the loop with Jude, a Friends of Ford's Pond volunteer. Walking will be at a moderate pace and the pond … 
Meet at "The Great Lawn" at Ford's Pond. Parking lot off Church St. Bring your own chair. Suggested donation $5 - $10. No one is turned away. |
2 events,
Aubree Gail will lead weekly 1-hour yoga sessions at Ford’s Pond throughout the summer. Style is inclusive, meditative, and relaxing. 
Every Saturday this summer from 11-12 the Library of Fun box under the ping pong table will be open and one of volunteers will be available to check out toys. … |
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0 events,
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1 event,
Meet us at the Church Road parking lot and walk the loop with Jude, a Friends of Ford's Pond volunteer. Walking will be at a moderate pace and the pond … |
0 events,
|
2 events,Join the UC-VEG group and walk the 2-mile paved loop, rain or shine. Meet at the Church Rd. Everyone is welcome. Dogs are allowed on a leash. Time may change … Feel the flow! Wednesdays in June. Class will be on the great lawn at the Church Road Park. Students meet at the West (far) Pavilion. |
0 events,
|
1 event,
Meet us at the Church Road parking lot and walk the loop with Jude, a Friends of Ford's Pond volunteer. Walking will be at a moderate pace and the pond … |
2 events,
Aubree Gail will lead weekly 1-hour yoga sessions at Ford’s Pond throughout the summer. Style is inclusive, meditative, and relaxing.
Every Saturday this summer from 11-12 the Library of Fun box under the ping pong table will be open and one of volunteers will be available to check out toys. … |
|
0 events,
|
1 event,
Meet us at the Church Road parking lot and walk the loop with Jude, a Friends of Ford's Pond volunteer. Walking will be at a moderate pace and the pond … |
0 events,
|
2 events,Join the UC-VEG group and walk the 2-mile paved loop, rain or shine. Meet at the Church Rd. Everyone is welcome. Dogs are allowed on a leash. Time may change … Feel the flow! Wednesdays in June. Class will be on the great lawn at the Church Road Park. Students meet at the West (far) Pavilion. |
0 events,
|
1 event,
Meet us at the Church Road parking lot and walk the loop with Jude, a Friends of Ford's Pond volunteer. Walking will be at a moderate pace and the pond … |
2 events,
Aubree Gail will lead weekly 1-hour yoga sessions at Ford’s Pond throughout the summer. Style is inclusive, meditative, and relaxing.
Every Saturday this summer from 11-12 the Library of Fun box under the ping pong table will be open and one of volunteers will be available to check out toys. … |
|
0 events,
|
1 event,
Meet us at the Church Road parking lot and walk the loop with Jude, a Friends of Ford's Pond volunteer. Walking will be at a moderate pace and the pond … |
0 events,
|
1 event,Join the UC-VEG group and walk the 2-mile paved loop, rain or shine. Meet at the Church Rd. Everyone is welcome. Dogs are allowed on a leash. Time may change … |
0 events,
|
1 event,
Meet us at the Church Road parking lot and walk the loop with Jude, a Friends of Ford's Pond volunteer. Walking will be at a moderate pace and the pond … |
2 events,
Aubree Gail will lead weekly 1-hour yoga sessions at Ford’s Pond throughout the summer. Style is inclusive, meditative, and relaxing.
Every Saturday this summer from 11-12 the Library of Fun box under the ping pong table will be open and one of volunteers will be available to check out toys. … |
|
0 events,
|
1 event,
Meet us at the Church Road parking lot and walk the loop with Jude, a Friends of Ford's Pond volunteer. Walking will be at a moderate pace and the pond … |
0 events,
|
1 event,Join the UC-VEG group and walk the 2-mile paved loop, rain or shine. Meet at the Church Rd. Everyone is welcome. Dogs are allowed on a leash. Time may change … |
0 events,
|
1 event,
Meet us at the Church Road parking lot and walk the loop with Jude, a Friends of Ford's Pond volunteer. Walking will be at a moderate pace and the pond … |
2 events,
Aubree Gail will lead weekly 1-hour yoga sessions at Ford’s Pond throughout the summer. Style is inclusive, meditative, and relaxing.
Every Saturday this summer from 11-12 the Library of Fun box under the ping pong table will be open and one of volunteers will be available to check out toys. … |
For all park-related questions or concerns, contact City Hall (541) 459-2857 or Public Works (541) 459-3542.
Explore & Discover
Spend time exploring the three habitats found at Ford’s Pond Community Park: wetlands, willow/ash riparian, and oak savanna. Discover the unique flora and fauna found in each, noting the changes through each season. Located on the Pacific Flyway, Ford’s Pond is a stopover for many birds migrating between summer and winter destinations. Visit the Friends page for information on educational activities and stewardship projects. Eleven interpretive panels, featuring local photographers, are located along the 2-mile Pond Loop Path.
Emergent Wetlands
Willow/Ash Riparian
