Well, Hazelia Field at Luscher Farm has withstood the test of two seasons and is now receiving not only raves, but awards as well!
Construction was completed on the new multi-use field near Lakeridge High School in the spring, the first sporting events being soccer and lacrosse. The field also accommodates football and baseball. It boasts a playing field made of plastic fibers and ground-up rubber which has excellent lasting capacity and drainage according to Gary Evans, assistant director at Lake Oswego Parks & Recreation. Neighbors’ concerns were addressed with state-of-the-art, computer-controlled, “green” lighting that uses a minimum number of fixtures and reduces energy-wasting light “spill”. The park is open until 10:00PM, but lights may be turned off by teams if they’re finished early by calling a toll-free number and entering a password. Most local leagues may use the field for free once a seasonal fee is paid.
Amenities of the 12-acre site include walking paths and access to trailheads, a beautiful 1.5 acre wetland, playground, parking lot, restroom facility and two luxurious off-leash dog parks- one is 1.6 acres and intended for larger gregarious dogs (though it is open to all dogs), whereas the other is 1.1 acres and reserved for smaller and/or timid dogs. Both dog parks include incredible fencing that is seemingly jump-, dig-, and escape-proof with double-entry gates. There are also benches and picnic tables for dog owners to relax and/or socialize, covered/shady areas for rainy or too-sunny days, water-stations, garbage cans, you-scoop-bags, and open areas for playing fetch or just letting the dogs play.
All this has caught the attention of Oregon Parks and Recreation, who awarded Hazelia Field its “2008 Design Award”. The Design Award recognizes the most well-designed public recreation area, park, athletic field, urban mall or recreation building. Criteria includes maintenance design, cost-effectiveness, visibility and appearance, energy efficiency, price, size, special challenges, innovative design and/or equipment, and most efficient use.
In addition to all Hazelia Field’s offerings, it strives to maintain the rural feel of the neighborhood and the “farm feel” of the site itself. It also implemented an impressive storm water management system wherein open rainwater gardens in the middle of the parking lot collect water and convey it into the wetlands where sediments are settled and water is purified. This is also the case for water collected from the artificial turf field.
So… take a coffee break and give your dog a treat! Head on over and support your local team! But do enjoy this local treasure this fall season, and in all seasons.
Absolutely one of the best features of living in Lake Oswego is the ability to enjoy the lake. And one of my favorite ways to enjoy it is by riding a bike, or taking a walk or a jog around it. The first time I ran the lake was in 1980. I have done it many, many times since then. Although I have to admit that these days instead of running it, I bike or walk it. It’s just about 8 miles all the way around. Biking it, the challenge is to do it in one hour’s time. I know that does not seem very fast, but there are two substantial hills in the ride and if you can do it in an hour, you are kicking some serious #*%*. Walking it takes about 2.5 hours, and running it, back in my hey day, took just over an hour.
Start at the Lake Grove Swim Park, which is just North of the intersection of Southshore Blvd and Lakeview Blvd, along Lakeview Blvd. Proceed North on Lakeview. I suppose it is actually slightly Northeast, but for the sake of keeping it simple, head North along the shoulder of the road. There is a nice wide bike path and you’ll be enjoying the view of the lake and the stately mansions. You will go about half a mile before you come to the first right hand turn. 
cross the bridge with the view to the left of Lakewood Bay you will come to a 3-way stop, turn left. Go about a block and take the first right. This is is Fairmont. You are only going to go about 100 feet before you turn left onto Middlecrest. Middlecrest is not a through street. It has a barrier erected to keep out auto traffic, but there is a pass through for bikes and pedestrians. Stay on Middlecrest a couple of blocks to the traffic light at State Street. 
It’s summer time and one of the great joys of the season is all of the fresh produce and bright assortment of flowers that are available at this time of year. In Lake Oswego these can be found in abundance at the local Farmer’s Market. Located in Millenium Plaza Park on Lake Oswego’s East side, the market is open on Saturdays from 8am to 1pm, mid May to the end of October. There is free parking and even doggie daycare (dogs are not allowed in the market).
Numerous farms bring their crops to the market. You’ll find all sorts of fruit and produce. Especially abundant are the berries: strawberries, blue berries, and black berries. There are vendors who sell just organic lettuce, and vendors who sell not only tomatoes, but tomato plants too. There are booths run by local nurseries so that you can purchase plants for your own garden. I have also seen a table set up by local master gardeners where you can ask experts your gardening questions.
On occasion at the PropertyBlotter, we will lapse into the