Vancouver, WA

Do you like to get outdoors now, while the trees are turning green and the birds are learning to sing again? That’s the way I feel, too, and I found a great place for walking this weekend; along Officers Row in Old Town Vancouver. There are paved paths, mostly level, and all of them accessible to strollers or wheelchairs. There’s parking across the street.
Officers Row faces Evergreen Blvd just blocks from downtown, but still quiet and park-like - all that green, all those gorgeous shade trees, but right in the middle of town. I love the historic houses, some over 150 years old, but all modernized, either for businesses or as homes.

One of them, Marshall House, is furnished with antiques and is usually open to the public. It was reserved for an event this weekend, so I’ll visit there another day. Here’s more on the Marshall House, courtesy of Clark County

There’s a restaurant in the Grant house now. The Grant House was originally built of logs, and I’ve heard it still has one log wall, which you can’t see from the outside because it’s covered by clapboard. Because I didn’t bring anything but my camera (no money), I just picked up a flyer which had the restaurant’s web address.

So I didn’t go into either the Marshall House or the Grant House, but the walk itself was enough; the quiet, green, open area with its paved paths and huge shade trees. The beauty includes the view over the fence of the Vancouver Barracks buildings and the bandstand.

The fence is just for looks, BTW, feel free to access all that play space! Perfect for the kids, the dog, a picnic lunch, or just a blanket and a book.

I discovered a gazebo at the east end of Officers Row. Just where you might want a rest before you walk back.

The ground slopes away south to the Columbia River, so there’s a view of the Fort Vancouver Historic Site Headquarters across the street. Another place to explore. I’ll be back for that, too.

Both the city and the county have official websites for Officers Row.

Officers Row is only a few blocks from I-5 (take the Mill Plain exit, head east, take the first right, and then left at the roundabout).
Or—get map and directions from Google.