Ghost Creek Trail and Turtle PondThe Ghost Creek Pedestrian Path offers multi-use access to nature and recreation

The Ghost Creek Pedestrian Path is open for walking, biking, rolling, and nature viewing. The hard surface, accessible path runs approximately one mile from the North Plains Veteran’s Park at 313th Avenue to the east along Highland Court, south through a pedestrian crossing under the Glencoe Road overpass, back up to Highland Court and along 307th Avenue to an observation platform overlooking the “Turtle Pond.” In addition to the opportunity to see once-endangered Western Pond Turtles, a variety of wildlife may be spotted at the pond and along the pedestrian path including birds, waterfowl, beaver, frogs, and Great Blue Herons. Be aware that the pond is a protected habitat for observation only - no recreation is allowed, and please do not feed the wildlife.

Other features of the path include green turtles stenciled on the paved walkway, done by the North Plains Public Works Department. Path users can follow the stencils from west of the overpass all the way to the turtle observation structure, where interpretive signs about the turtles will be installed in the coming months. The new pedestrian crossing under the Highway 26/Glencoe Road overpass also provides a safe east/west option for people to cross Glencoe Road and should be a nice amenity for nearby businesses.

The trail and pond observation structure were completed in 2020. A majority of the funding for this project came from ODOT as part of the redesign of the Glencoe Road overpass over Highway 26.

This Pedestrian Path is part of the City’s overall commitment to providing more outdoor walking and recreation spaces, as well as connectivity for the community.

After community input over the past decade, the North Plains 2018 Parks Master Plan and 2017 Community Pedestrian Paths Master Plan both highlight the City’s long-term goal of creating a comprehensive North Plains Pedestrian Path system that could follow McKay Creek and its tributaries and integrate into the city’s active transportation system to provide access throughout the community.


     
DirectionsGhost Creek Trail and Turtle Pond
307th Ave to Highland Court
North Plains, OR 97133
See map: Google Maps