From The Oregonian on 10/9:

Forest Park -- the 5,000-acre gem a city planner once said is as important to Portland as the Hudson River is to New York City -- turns 60 this year and is showing signs of age.

"If we don't get serious, we won't have a Forest Park in 60 years," said Michelle Bussard, executive director of the Forest Park Conservancy. The nonprofit supports the park, which is managed by the Portland Bureau of Parks & Recreation.

"What will take its place will be an ecological dead zone," she said during a recent walk on Forest Park trails. "Leaving it alone was once a great sentiment. Our leaving it alone has created the problems we now face."

The park faces pressure from residential development, increased use of the 75 miles of trails and a steady invasion of non-native weeds, primarily English ivy.

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