Tourism24 September, 20263 min read
Oregon State Parks Approves $2 Million Purchase Of Abiqua Falls In Marion County
This article is an automated aggregation of coverage from news outlets. Our editorials offer in-depth analysis curated by the NewsCord team.
$2 million purchase to acquire Abiqua Falls and surrounding land, creating a new state park. Deal covers land near Scotts Mills in Marion County and preserves public access.
Abiqua Falls to be protected
Oregon approved a $2 million purchase of Abiqua Falls, ending concerns that the 92-foot waterfall could remain in private hands after its owner put the property up for sale earlier this year. The deal includes the waterfall and 160 acres of land in Marion County, and the Oregon State Parks and Recreation Commission approved the sale from the Abbey Foundation of Oregon on Wednesday. The Abbey Foundation of Oregon had owned the property for more than 100 years and put it up for sale in February, raising concerns among members of the public and lawmakers about what could happen to the popular natural landmark if it went to another private owner.
The agreement now moves the property towards public ownership, and Oregon State Parks and Recreation Department (OPRD) said the purchase is expected to close around the end of 2026. Dr Amanda Staggenborg, director of communications for Mount Angel Abbey, said, "The beauty of Abiqua Falls will be enjoyed by generations of Oregonians and all those who love Oregon’s natural wonders."
Legislators back public ownership
House Majority Leader Ben Bowman said the purchase would allow future generations to visit the waterfall themselves, adding, "Today, we are making sure that our children and grandchildren inherit not just stories about Abiqua Falls, but the ability to stand there themselves."
The Oregon Parks and Recreation Commission on Sept. 23 approved purchase of 92-foot Abiqua Falls and another nearby property, setting the stage for development of a new state park.
The state agency will pay $2 million, approved by the Oregon Legislature in the 2026 session, for a pair of properties outside Scotts Mills and northeast of Salem.
Central Oregon Daily reported that the sale is expected to close around Dec. 15, while parks officials and commissioners called turning the remote, rough site into a park a "daunting task."
OPRD Commission chair Elizabeth Hill said, "It’s nice that the legislature provided the funding to help purchase it, but the ongoing operations and making this anywhere near a safe place for the public is a daunting task."
Next steps and management
Oregon Parks and Recreation Department spokeswoman Lauren Wirtis emphasized that the action was only an "approval to proceed with next steps; it does not make us the owners of the property or change access," as officials prepare for development and long-term management.
KPTV said state park officials are still working on plans for development and long-term management, and the commission will get an update in November before the transaction is finalized.
KPTV reported that the deal includes 160 acres just outside Scotts Mills, and it said the property has "user-created trails" leading to areas for hiking, photography and fishing, which includes the 92-foot Abiqua Falls.
The Times of India said the agency is also working on options for how the property will be managed and developed, and it noted that the agency has not yet announced a final management plan for the property.
OPRD director Lisa Sumption cautioned that owning a natural site means taking on the work needed to maintain it, saying, "Abiqua Falls is a great example that parks are not just nature. It takes continuous staff, time and money for us to bring a property like this up to state park standards and keep it there."