Nancy Freedman-Smith, dog trainer and owner of Gooddogz Training, provides a place for dog owners to find positive training tips, canine-activities and places to visit along with the latest information on keeping your dog healthy and active. Nancy lives with her three young kids, Charlee and Finney the dogs, Yellow the parakeet and Tater-Tot the Hamster. Staying current, keeping fresh, and always learning new things is a must for Nancy and her profession because one thing that animals surely teach you is "the more you know, the more you know you don't know."
Off the Leash with Charlee: Evergreen Cemetery
One of my favorite places to go walking with my dog, Charlee, is the Evergreen Cemetery.
There are 150 acres to explore in this designated off leash area.
Getting there:
From Stevens Ave. Portland, drive straight through the cemetery to the pond. Park on the left side and walk in. Dogs must be leashed in the cemetery but are allowed off leash on the far side of pond. There are numerous side and back ways in that let you access the woods without going through the actual cemetery. Sorry- you'll need to need to find them yourselves, I don't want to be responsible for aggravating the neighboring property owners!
The trails:
Head straight back from the pond. Letting your dog in the water here is not recommended due to animal feces, waterfowl, and stagnant water. I have been warned several times by the locals (with heavy local accents) that my dog will give us all The Duck Itch.
Beware (or be prepared for a bath when you get home) of the first swamp on your left as you enter the woods. Very nasty! Fork right if you are looking for water to cool off or go left up the hill if you prefer a rockier trail.
Maps are available in the office on the right as you enter from Stevens Ave.
What to watch out for:
These woods are well known to bikers, birders, and families walking to feed the ducks. Spring brings a large collection of Warblers and other migrating birds. May 11th-20 is the Audubon's Warbler week. Be prepared to share the road and remember that not everyone likes dogs! Most of the birders are near the pond, so take care not to disturb them.
Check out the amazingly huge snapping turtles in the ponds. I have seen them kill ducks, so keep a keen eye on your dog to avoid potentially injurious encounters. Many people stopped walking here because of coyotes. As of my walk this week, they appear to have moved on. When they are around, my dog acts nervous and urinates everywhere they have been. Also, the coyotes leave their scat in the middle of the trails. I saw no sign of either today but please do use caution. This a great time of year to visit before the mosquitos can make these woods unbearable by mid summer.
Why we love it:
It is an oasis in the city as it was intended in 1852. It is an easy hike for the kids and not near any roads whatsoever.
There is a lot of room to run and my dog loves the water under the high tension wires. We both find it very relaxing.
Charlee and Sadie meet for 13-week-old Sadie's first time ever off leash adventure in the woods.
Being so young, she follows along willingly. I have warned her owners that this may change in a few months!
Sadie, a 'Golden Doodle' (Golden Retriever and Standard Poodle mix) is my cutest client of the month by far!
Sadie ventures out just a bit after my 3-year-old daughter.
Charlee's favorite way to cool down. Be sure to visit Evergreen soon before the mosquito invasion begins.
Comments
I'm a bit confused about dogs being allowed in the cemetery since the Portland Trails page does not show the dog symbol which usually means that dogs aren't allowed.
Posted by StephanieMay 3, 2005 05:23 PM
Sadie is too precious for words. All the fuzzy fur makes me just want to bury my face in her coat.
I had a Labradoodle in a class not to long ago. His coat is an indescribable color and not too curly but not too straight. Women pay hundreds of dollars to get that texture and highlighted color.
He was so large and did not look like a puppy. People were always startled by his puppy-ish behavoirs. I just loved him to pieces even when he was a goof.
Sandi
Pet Improvement
May 3, 2005 07:36 PM
Hi Stephanie,
You scared me! But I double checked on the city of Portland web site and yes, it is still listed. The trail map is in error.
Nancy
:))
May 3, 2005 07:54 PM
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