Our fair burgh has a new campground, or more properly, it has received the old Hubert K. McBee Campground near Alsea Falls as a donation from its prior owner.
The Campground has long been a popular destination for families and outdoor enthusiasts, offering a haven for recreational activities and a serene escape into nature. The area boasts scenic views, hiking trails and waterfalls that make it an ideal destination for outdoor activities and family-friendly adventures.
Margaret Hull, who was a part of the Benton County Parks advisory board from 1957-1970, proposed the Alsea/Green Peak Falls area for the first Benton County Park. This makes her dream of a Benton County park in the area a reality.
The campground will temporarily become day-use only for picnicking, hiking, biking, fishing, and various recreational activities while some upgrades are made. These upgrades will likely take about a year:
- Infrastructure Upgrade: Repairing roads and trails, enhancing campsite amenities, and installing new toilet facilities, and on-site water well.
- Habitat Restoration: Removing invasive species, restoring native plants and trees, and initiating a salmon habitat restoration project to support the Alsea River ecosystem.
- Park and Campground Layout Enhancement: Adding more tent spaces while preserving the rustic and private atmosphere that campers love.
Here’s Who Donated, and How this Happened
Hull-Oakes Lumber, based in Monroe, donated the property to Benton County through the Alliance for Recreation and Natural Areas, or AFRANA.
The County says the property will be held by AFRANA for now, with plans to transfer it to county ownership later.
“We are ecstatic and humbled by this generous gift from the Nystrom family and Hull-Oakes Lumber. Yet again the timber community is stepping up and generously sharing an incredible public recreation space that families will enjoy for decades – we can’t thank them enough for this incredible donation,” said Natural Areas Parks and Events Director Tomi Douglas.
“Hull Oakes has a legacy of supporting the community. We are excited and grateful to be a partner in the future of the Hubert K McBee Campground.” said Ellen Tappon, spokesperson for AFRANA. “As a Backcountry Byway and with the growing popularity of mountain biking, there is a huge need for increased camping and recreation amenities in the Alsea corridor. Hull-Oakes Lumber’s generosity ensures that this special place will continue to be a hub for recreation, family gatherings, and nature appreciation for generations to come.”
A release from the County praises Hull-Oakes Lumber, saying they have “Demonstrated their commitment to the well-being and enjoyment of local residents and a shared vision for the preservation of community spaces by donating the campground to AFRANA with plans to transfer ownership to Benton County.”
What is the Alliance for Recreation and Natural Areas
The Alliance for Recreation and Natural Areas is a non-profit organization whose mission is to facilitate community-supported projects to enhance recreation and connect people to their natural and cultural heritage, in Benton County Oregon and the surrounding areas. Click here for more info about them.
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