10
acres Wallace M. Ruff Jr. Memorial Park and Magnolia Arboretum
1161 North 66th Street
Hidden Away
HIDDEN AWAY in a small neighborhood park in Springfield is a forest of treasures. A budding magnolia arboretum has taken root along the banks of Cedar Creek. The hundreds of young trees planted here are among a species believed to be the oldest of all flowering plants.
Ruff Park was founded by Wallace M. “Mack” Ruff Sr., who donated the property after the death of his son, Wallace M. Ruff Jr., who farmed flowers there as a young student. Ruff Sr. was a landscape architect, anthropologist and magnolia enthusiast. Friends banded together to continue Ruff Sr.’s vision for the park after his death in 1999.
A group known as Friends of Ruff Park meets regularly to pull weeds, transplant seedlings and prune magnolias. Call 541-736-4104 to join Friends of Ruff Park in a Saturday work party. Supporters can also donate toward the continuing development of Ruff Park through Friends of Willamalane, 541-736-4544.
Interpretive Map
Click on the map to download a larger version.
Driving Directions
Nearest Intersection is 66th Street & Thurston Road.
1. Head EAST on South A Street. Continue for .1 miles
2. Turn LEFT onto Pioneer Parkway East. Continue for 1 mile
3. Turn RIGHT on McKenzie Hwy/Bend on-ramp onto Hwy 126 E. Continue
for 5.2 miles
4. Turn LEFT onto Main Street. Continue for .8 miles
5. Turn LEFT onto 66th Street. Continue for .8 miles to the park on
the right