Dragonfly Bend

If you are looking for Dragonfly Bend, you may be looking for awhile. And you’ll be looking even longer if you want to find parking.  There is no visible parking for this park. The best parking is in some residential housing off of Avalon Street, which is off of Barger Drive, but the park can be accessed by foot from Royal Avenue and Green Hill Rd. There are many pathways into Dragonfly Bend but each one has a gate and a no parking sign in front of it. The only sign mentioning Dragonfly Bend is off of Royal Avenue near the Green Hill Road intersection.

This natural park consists of 75 acres of hilly open grass space. A few trees here and there provide shade for wildlife and nesting spots for birds. Residents of nearby neighborhoods can easily access any of the many pathways and take a walk. But you may want to note that these pathways are not very maintained. Most of the pathways are raised and the grass has been mowed at some point, but the ground is extremely uneven so watch your step!

Flowers here and there are waiting to be noticed, and once you get out and away from the noise of the roads, you will find a squirrel running through the grass, or see a swallow flying through the sky. You might even see a deer or raccoon, since it is close to the wetlands.

While Dragonfly Bend may not appear to offer you much, look again. Put on your hiking boots, grab the binoculars, bird book, flower book, notepad and pen, and go exploring.  Take the kids out to discover something new every evening. Grab the dog leash and take Fido for a walk.  Or if you live near by, take the time to look out your windows and take in the natural scenery.

Written by Sharon Phillips for DiscoverEugene.com

Photos by Sharon Phillips