Ten city parks (with an 11th on the way) can be found in various spots around Philomath to provide local residents and those passing through with opportunities to spend some time outside. Most of the locations feature playgrounds and spots that work well for enjoying a picnic lunch.
The Marys River Park and Natural Area and nearby Skirvin Park are among the largest and Philomath City Park offers the most amenities with a couple of playgrounds, a community hall that’s available to rent and a summer concert series. But those are all on the south side of the community.
So for those who don’t want to cross Main Street, which doubles as Highway 20/34 through town, what’s available on the north side? Here’s a rundown.
1. Flossie Overman Discovery Park, North 11th Street
One of the city’s newer parks, this 0.42-acre spot along North 11th Street provides nature-focused hands-on play with a water pump, a slide down an embankment and various climbing opportunities, including a large log and boulders. There are also swings and a basketball court. The park opened during the summer of 2020 and was named in memory of Flossie Overman, a lifelong educator in Philomath.
2. Westbrook Park, Jade Place and Topaz Street
This neighborhood park of about 2 acres is located between Jade Place and Topaz Street was built as part of the Westbrook subdivision in 2005. The park features a small basketball court, playground equipment, covered picnic area and a gravel walking path. Back when it was being built, the Rotary Club of Philomath helped by clearing brush, spreading gravel for the path, creating a berm around the basketball court and designing and painting the park shelter.
3. Triangle Park, College Street
Another small neighborhood park on the north side can be found on College Street in between Seventh and Eighth streets near the railroad tracks (separated by a fence). The park utilizes the space in a unique way and features a small shelter with a picnic table, playground and basketball court. The Philomath Lions Club helped with the construction of the park in the 1990s.
4. Pioneer Park, Pioneer Street
Pioneer Park is a “pocket park” located on the south side of Pioneer Street across from its intersection with North 12th and borders a stretch of railroad tracks. The small neighborhood park features fun visuals with its landscaping and visitors can enjoy the green grass or sit on a bench situated under a tree.
5. Paul J. Cochran Veterans Memorial Park, College Street and North 16th Street
OK, this park isn’t open yet but it’ll be here soon. Located on the northwest corner of College and North 16th, the lot was donated to the city by the late Beverly Durham under the condition that it serve as a park in memory of the son she lost in the Vietnam War. Paul J. Cochran was a 1966 Philomath High graduate who was killed in action in 1968. When finished, the park will feature a veterans’ memorial area, covered pavilion and a small playground.
(Brad Fuqua is publisher/editor of the Philomath News. He can be reached at News@PhilomathNews.com).
