Make your Memorial Day picnic memorable

Memories are planted in the ground where they’re made. That’s why it’s hard to leave a place where you’ve done lots of living, and why the natural question about big historical events always is, “Where were you when it happened?”

Monday is the federal Memorial Day holiday, set aside to remember and honor those who died in our service. Many people take that day, or this one, to remember other lost loved ones, too — and to gather those they still have in a place that’s beautiful, peaceful, comforting.

Fort Vancouver? Battle Ground Lake? The Salmon Creek Greenway? Frenchman’s Bar? Been there, done them. We thought we’d direct you down memory lane in a new spot for a change. Following are five awesome-but-undersung Clark County sites where you can gather the brood to review favorite family memories — and make some fun new ones.

We wish you a meaningful Memorial Day.

Heaven in the hills

Did you know there’s a sprawling 63-acre park in the foothills of the Cascades that seems to boast everything but a roller coaster and Mickey Mouse? Alderbrook Park is a pretty well-kept secret. It’s a private property that specializes in events such as weddings and corporate retreats, and hosts just a few open-to-the-public summer days per year.

Memorial Day weekend is one of them. Enjoy the meandering, scenic drive past Brush Prairie — and Hockinson, and Venersborg — as you get ready for a day beyond reality. Alderbrook has a heated outdoor swimming pool with “beach entry” (you can wade in) and a sun deck; a 3 1/2 -acre “mirror lake” with boats to row, paddle or pedal; 18-hole miniature golf and nine-hole disc golf courses; bounce houses, playgrounds and play structures including a pirate ship; a choo-choo train that current and former kids can ride around the grounds; a petting zoo; playing fields and spacious lawns. And if all that sounds like a dizzying menu of diversions — there are also plenty of nature trails where you can just quiet down and appreciate life.

Hunger is not allowed. For one thing, on “Public Days,” you are welcome to bring in your own food. Or, visit the “snack shack” for quick treats like hot dogs and shave ice, or the sit-down cafe for entrees like barbecue ribs and burgers.

Alderbrook will host other “Public Days” (and other special events, including movies, concerts and more) Wednesdays through Fridays, mid-June through Sept. 9, as well as the Fourth of July and Labor Day holidays. Visit http://www.alderbrookparkevents.com/ to learn more.

Arboretum dreams

Take Vancouver’s now-private, potentially public park-and-arboretum for a test drive. To get there, you’ll have to take a drive along Old Evergreen Highway, which is justifiably famous as the crumbling old concrete street that’s lined by ostentatious new mansions and mansionlike creations. It’s an amazingly scenic drive.

Halfway hidden among all that “look-at-me” is the Jane Weber Evergreen Arboretum, currently the property of the Clark College Foundation and the project of Kelly Punteney, a former Vancouver parks official and state parks commissioner. Punteney has spent years as resident caretaker here, marshalling volunteers to maintain and beautify the property while pressing the city to adopt the acreage as a public park and waterfront trail connector. That’s turning out to be a long and iffy process.

Meanwhile, Punteney’s policy is open door. He wants people to come hang out, explore the 7-acre grounds, enjoy the view of the Columbia River. No appointment, reservation or ticket needed. Just know that there are no public facilities (restrooms, water) here.

But there’s a great backstory. Still standing here is the historic 1867 home of John Stanger, one of the oldest buildings in Clark County (which needs renovations and is not open). In the mid-1900s, the property belonged to Vinson and Jane Weber, and when Jane died, her husband not only donated the land to Clark College but took a further canny step to prevent it ever being sold off for development: He had Jane and then himself buried on the grounds. You can visit them there today.

The Jane Weber Arboretum — a lovely, leafy, slightly overgrown property that rolls downhill toward the river — is at 9215 S.E. Evergreen Highway.

Whimsical waterfront

If you don’t need a big patch of grass — if a simple park bench will do — there’s no place better to spend a sunny Sunday than our own incomparable waterfront. If Vancouver has done one thing right, it’s ensuring that the Columbia River shoreline has stayed pretty people-friendly. Much of the Portland waterfront opposite us is industrialized; ours remains mostly lush and green and open to the public. It’s even connected by the paved 5-mile Waterfront Renaissance Trail. Pretty sweet.

Waterfront parking may be a zoo on this day of days, of course, especially at the clusters of restaurants beside Waterfront Park and at the Columbia Shores condominiums. Try parking downtown and walking under the Interstate 5 Bridge, or you can try parking at the Fort Vancouver Historic Site and admiring the land bridge over the railroad tracks.

Another option is to drive farther east on Columbia Way toward the Water Resources Education Center (closed Sundays, parking and all) and Marine Park (parking always open). Picnic tables and playgrounds are right here. Climb the nearby Kaiser Memorial Shipyard Tower, not far down Marine Park Way, for a panoramic view of the river.

There’s even more: If you’re feeling whimsical, stroll east along the recently restored public path that separates the Tidewater Cove condominiums from the river. Along the way, visit a pair of homemade, anonymous, participatory shrines to life and love that some mystical soul has provided in an inspired act of “random kindness and senseless beauty.” Grab a pen and emboss a stone or decorate a tree branch with a tribute to what’s best in your world.

Then, keep going. Out of the woods and into the wind. Numerous benches face the river. Best of all are the benches along the public jetty east of the condos.

Light out for the Territorial

Way off at the other end of Clark County from that is another lovely private park that’s open to all. The Amboy Territorial Days Park is the property of a local nonprofit association and is supported entirely by donations and fees for events.

But there’s no fee for showing up on Memorial Day to enjoy 18 acres of lawn, playground, tall trees, picnic tables, a display of vintage farm and railroad equipment — and the tiny hamlet of Amboy itself. The public is always welcome. And this private park has public restrooms!

Curious? Charmed? Consider returning on the second weekend of July for the park’s main event: Amboy’s annual Territorial Days Celebration, a three-day festival of country ways featuring fun such as lawn mower races and logging-skills competitions.

The Amboy Territorial Days Park is at 21400 N.E. 399th St., Amboy.

University greenery

Washington State University Vancouver is 351 acres of rolling hillsides complete with nature trails, paved pathways, gorgeous views, public art, historical kiosks and even a small-scale experimental wind-turbine farm. There’s no shortage of lovely spots here to sprawl in the grass, spread out your blanket or occupy a bench. And, there’s even a nine-basket, not-too-challenging disc golf course that you can check out for free (but bring your own discs). Visit studentaffairs.vancouver.wsu.edu/student-involvement/recreation-facilities for a link to a downloadable map and scorecard.

Speaking of free, the WSUV campus is officially closed for the Memorial Day holiday. For our purposes here, all that means is you just landed on Free Parking.

The campus is at 14204 N.E. Salmon Creek Ave.