Who knew? Oregon had been a state for more than 60 years before it had a state park.
A little chunk of green land in Monmouth became the first, now called Sarah Helmick State Recreation Site.
The entire state parks system turns 100 in 2022, and Oregon State Parks plans a party that will run much of the year. Centennial events are still in the planning stages, with opportunities to not only enjoy the parks, but also to spruce them up for future users.
Chris Havel, a veteran of the department, returns to the JX to give a preview of the Centennial plans.