Update reported in The Columbian 8/29/2024

This is a site owned by the City of Battleground currently being restored with native vegetation and reforested.  It mostly consists of a large open field surrounded by forest, with sections replanted with new trees.  There are paths criss-crossing the site through the grass, but they might be difficult to follow, especially when the grass is tall.  Exploring the site, you could easily walk 3/4 mile to a mile making a loop.

The start point is at the south west corner of the property where there’s a gate and a sign about the conservation work.  There’s only room for one or two cars to park at the gate.  This is not a good spot to park on the shoulder of the road.

The recently built Taverner Ridge neighborhood includes several paths that meander through fields, along side forest and past wetlands for about 1 mile of trails to explore.  There are several points to start into the trails, where the paths cross the roads, or access paths connect into neighborhood streets.

I started on Lake River Terrace, but other good locations to start are on Great Blue Road, 14th Circle, 15th Way, 14th Ct, 15th Ct, 17th Circle, and 18th Circle.  I expect that before long there will likely be a trail connecting to Pintail Ct, and to Nighthawk Rd.

A portion of the trail through this neighborhood follows the pipeline corridor.  I would love it if the developers, Ridgefield and Clark County could coordinate completing a path that follows the pipeline all the way from here to the county owned land at Flume Creek, about a mile south.

A short neighborhood trail running along the forested canyon edge, with a small picnic area at the west end.  This trail has a couple steep sections through a nice forested landscape.  I would love to some day see this trail connected through the canyon to provide longer walks connecting to the neighborhood to the north, and perhaps even down the hill to the wildlife refuge.

The Cedar Ridge neighborhood in Ridgefield has a short paved path that wraps around a small stream, tributary to Gee Creek.  A few short dirt trails lead down to the stream.  To explore, I parked on S Cedar Ridge  Drive, entered the trail from there, followed it around as it looped north and then south.  At the end the paved path splits with benches at the end of each fork.  From the end of the right fork I followed a dirt trail that continued down the hill, then across and along the stream.  The paved path was about 1,000ft, and the dirt trail took me about another 650ft before it hit a steep drop to the creek, which I did not bother to cross.

If you continue west to the end of Cedar Ridge Dr there is a narrow paved road that goes past a storm water facility, and then has a bench set by the hill. I could see there being someday a trail connecting this site with the other paved trail to the east. The land along the stream is owned by the City of Ridgefield and could make for a nice nature trail park. A bigger task would be to build a trail west connecting to Gee Creek and Abrams Park.

This neighborhood has several nice trails that meander along the creek and past several wetland sites.

Here is one option for a nice 1-1/2 mile loop walk in this neighborhood.

1. Start at NW 6th St and NW 29th Pl (enjoy the wetland at this site).
2. Walk east along 6th St, then left to continue on 6th St, follow it as it curves to the left and becomes NW 25th Ave.
3. Cross to McConnell Park, and walk the sidewalk around the park (along 8th St and 24th Ave), then follow the path back across the park to 25th Ave.
4. Walk north on 25th Ave, cross 10th Way, then enter the dirt path to the right.
5. Follow this dirt path along the stream, cross 12th St and continue alongside the stream.
6. Cross the bridge over the stream to 22nd Pl.
7. Go north and follow the grassy path across the field to NW 15th St.
8. Turn left, then turn left onto the paved pedestrian path toward the south.
9. Follow the right branch of this path to 24th Ave.
10. Cross 24th and follow the pedestrian path to 25th Ave.
11. Go south along 25th Ave, pass 12th St and 11th St then turn right onto the paved pedestrian pathway.
12. You can cross 27th Ave, but the pathway straight ahead dead ends, so instead turn left onto 27th Ave, then turn right on 10th St.
13. A short distance down 10th St, turn left onto another paved pedestrian pathway.
14. Follow this path to 7th St.
15. Turn left, then right onto NW 30th Path.
16. Follow that path to NW 6th St and back to your start point.

This new development is being built with a pedestrian trail and nature play area on the west edge.  While this is a short walk, the nature play area is unique and attractive with the use of logs and stumps as playground equipment.  Mid-block walks through the neighborhood will also allow for a longer walking route to explore.