Grounds

Several large playing fields are available for either day use or for activities associated with longer events. The Despain field provides a mowed grass setting, and it is often used for playing softball or baseball.

Because the water system reaches it, the Despain field is also used for summer water activities such as slip-and-slides.

The new play field located north of Despain field is set up to accommodate soccer and other large-field games. Soccer goal cages and nets are available at Westminster Woods for the soccer activity. Other play-field activities (flag football, tag, etc.) also use the new play field.

In 2006, a “professional-style” volleyball court was added to one end of the play field, with poles at the proper height and spacing, and almost 100 tons of clean, soft sand to add to the enjoyment of this activity! Nice nets are available at Westminster Woods for the volleyball activity.

 

 

Flowers, shrubs, & trees

As of the summer of 2006, 120 different varieties of wild flowers and 30 varieties of shrubs have been identified at Westminster Woods. Also, 20 different wild grasses make up the numerous meadows on the property.

The forest is primarily comprised of grand fir, Douglas-fir, western larch, lodgepole pine, ponderosa pine, western white pine, and Engelmann spruce. A few quaking aspen and black cottonwood trees are also present at Westminster Woods.

• Plant list for Westminster Woods

Trails

Over 2 miles of marked trails criss-cross the Westminster Woods property for both summer hiking and winter skiing.

Trails connect the three primary meadows (Despain field, the playing field, and a natural meadow near the Oregon Trail location) with buildings and other activity centers on the 66-acre property.

Trails are mowed and maintained in the summer to allow easy access, and all trails are marked using metal signs mounted on trees adjacent to the trail.

A large loop trail allows access to the far reaches of the property, including the Oregon Trail gravesite and Oregon Trail wagon ruts in the southwest corner.

Shorter trails connect all of the major developments at Westminster Woods, including the dining/meeting hall with the amphitheater and the lower kitchen area (day-use area with playground, restrooms, fire pit, etc.).

During the winter, the trail system receives use for both cross-country skiing and snowshoeing.

 

Forestry Management Plan

A forestry management plan was prepared for Westminster Woods by a forestry consultant (John Herbst) in the fall of 1994. This management plan describes the natural environment of the 66-acre property, including its soils, water, vegetation, and wildlife, and it discusses fire risk and forest health issues associated with the camp area.

• Forestry Management Plan

Western White Pine Trees

In May of 1996, Westminster Woods planted 400 western white pine trees on an area the church purchased after it was clearcut 2 years before. These trees were produced by the University of Idaho to be resistant to the white pine blister rust, an important introduced disease of five-needled pines. This article describes why the church planted the white pines and why this tree species has special significance for the interior Pacific Northwest.

• White Pine Article