14
july/aug
vernonia’s
voice outdoor & recreation
2007
Stub Stewart–a walk in the park
Stub Stewart State Park is now
open for business. With camping,
cabins, trails, equestrian camp, and
interpretive displays and programs,
this new recreation facility has
something for almost everybody.
Prior to the park’s opening, Vernonia’s
Voice received a private tour by Chris
Havel, OPRD Communication Coordinator
for the Director. Chris acted as tour guide,
showing us the sites and explaining con-
struction features and the amenities avail-
able. “This is a place for people to relax
and play,” said Havel.
The following is a comprehensive guide to
help you plan your visit to our area’s newest
attraction:
Stub Stewart Welcome Center. The
Welcome Center will include registration for
campers and a display room that features
information about the ecology, history of
the area, Stub Stewart -the man, and dis-
plays provided from the communities of
Banks and Vernonia.
Trail system. With 15 miles of multi-use trails winding throughout
the park, there is no shortage of routes to choose from. All but 1
mile of the trails are open to bikes, horses, and hikers. Many trails
are named for logging terms like Widowmaker, Bark Spud and
Barberchair, and are intertwined and connected with easy access
to the system from numerous trail heads. Three and a half miles of
the Banks-Vernonia Linear Trail runs through the park. Single track
mountain bike trails are being designed, a first for the state parks
system.
Hares Canyon Horse Camp. The
horse camp offers 14 full hook-up
campsites, each with a four-stall cor-
ral, and 2 double full hook-up sites,
each with a six-stall corral. Riders
can connect directly to the trail sys-
tem from the horse camp. This is
the only state park horse camp with
RV hook-up sites. There is also a
day-use equestrian parking area with
direct access to the trail system.
Hilltop Day-use Area. Parking,
restrooms and a trail head system are
available for day visitors along with
amazing views of the Coast Range.
The hilltop area will also make an ex-
cellent spot for night sky viewing and
stargazing. There are plans to con-
struct an observation tower platform
to enhance viewing options.
According to Chris Havel, other
activities that visitors might enjoy
include bird-watching, wildlife viewing,
evening programs at the campground
amphitheater, and possibly snowshoe-
ing and cross country skiing in the
winter. “I have seen signs of cougar
and black bear around the park,” said
Havel. “There are all kinds of birds
too – owl, woodpecker, hawk, chickadee, wren, and warbler. We also
have a beaver pond that is a short hike from the day-use area.”
Camping Facilities. The Dairy Creek Camp West loop offers 43 full
hook-up RV sites and 12 walk-in tent sites and will have covered
wood bins for dry storage. A second camp loop with 35 more RV
sites is scheduled to be opened in 2008. At the Brooke Creek hike
in camp, guests will find 23 primitive sites along with restrooms and
a common fire ring area, all nestled in a stand of older growth trees.
The park has been developed using OPRD’s philosophy of sustain-
ability and green construction, using recycled and renewable ma-
terials wherever possible, solar heating for restroom water, on-site
management of wastewater, emulsified asphalt for parking areas,
and native plant landscaping. Even the boundaries for the RV spac-
es are made from recycled materials – ground up automobile dash-
boards make up the forms that line the paved areas. “Everything is
designed to be low maintenance and to last as long as possible,”
said Havel, “including the restrooms which are made from concrete.
You and I won’t ever see them replaced.”
Cabins. The Mountain Dale Cabin Village has 15 rustic style cabins
with lights, furniture and heat and can sleep 5 people. The cabins
will be open all year round. Campers must bring their own bed-
ding and cook outside on picnic tables. There are centrally located
showers and restrooms. The cabins have covered porches; some
offering great views of the surrounding area. 10 more cabins are
planned for the future. There are plans to add restrooms and kitch-
enettes to three of the cabins.
Virtually all facilities are ADA accessible including the restroom,
shower, and cabin facilities. Paths were constructed with 1⁄4 minus
gravel, to allow easy movement for wheelchairs. The picnic tables
and fire-pits were built to allow accessibility by everyone. “The fire-
pits are built higher and filled in so someone in a wheelchair can
place another log on the fire themselves,” said Havel.
The first few weeks will act as a trial period to make sure every-
thing is working. It will also be an opportunity for citizens to get an
early view of the facilities. “We want to encourage locals to come
see the park and have the opportunity to use it first,” said Havel.