Sandy River Bird Blind

Not far from the noise and distractions of urban living, the Sandy River Bird Blind offers a pleasant mile-long trail out to an elliptical structure on restored U.S. Forest Service land. The groomed and well-maintained trail provides a gentle, reflective walk or bike ride out to the installation. A 150-foot ramp curves its way up to the small bird blind designed by famous artist/architect Maya Lin. The blind creates a “sacred space,” drawing one away from the busy highway traffic of I-84 and into the reclaimed natural landscape of the river delta. Scaled modestly, the enclosure of the blind nestles the observer in its sheltering screen for a quiet and contemplative study of the setting and wildlife.

Because of its toxicity and weed-like growth, the black locust has been deemed an invasive species in the Northwest. Because black locust was chosen to construct the blind, this project supports the effort to locally eradicate black locust while reinforcing the Confluence Project’s goal of promoting sustainability of native plants. Engraved in the bird blind’s vertical wooden slats are the names and status of each of the 134 species – including extinct, endangered or threatened species – Lewis and Clark noted on their westward journey. The artwork serves as a lasting reminder of the impact humans have had on the environment and a model for a new way to envision the connection between people and the natural world.

To access the trail to the blind, take exit 18 from Interstate 84.