From Art to Athletics: Discover How Trails Connect Us
On April 13, 2025 at 1 p.m., Friends of Chehalem Trails invites the community to lace up their walking shoes or hop on their bikes for a relaxed, family-friendly stroll from the Chehalem Cultural Center to Jaquith Park—and back. Co-lead by Nick Konen and Matt Dolphin, the event is more than just a walk. It’s a celebration of Newberg’s cultural heartbeat, its growing parks, and the connective power of trails.
Starting at the Chehalem Cultural Center (415 E Sheridan St, Newberg), participants will journey along a 1.6-mile round-trip route to Jaquith Park using Newberg’s sidewalks as "urban trails".
“Trails aren’t just dirt paths in the forest,” said Matt Dolphin, longtime trail steward and former member of the CPRD Trails Advisory Committee. “Trails come in many forms. For this walk, we’re using Newberg’s sidewalks as community connectors—linking the heart of our cultural life to one of our most treasured recreation areas.”
At the midpoint, participants will arrive at Jaquith Park—a cornerstone of Newberg’s park system since the 1980s. Named for Walter Jaquith, a civic leader and founding member of the park district board, the park has grown into a dynamic space offering playgrounds, picnic areas, sports fields, and walking paths.
And there’s more to come.
This summer, Jaquith Park will become a hub for pickleball lovers, with new courts under construction. These courts will offer flexible use—supporting both tennis and pickleball, with space for up to 12 pickleball courts.
“Pickleball is incredibly accessible and brings people together,” said Nick Konen, chair of the CPRD Pickleball Advisory Committee. “These new courts will create more opportunities for the entire community to stay active and connect with each other. It’s a big win for our community.”
Konen, who has helped lead the effort to expand pickleball in Newberg, sees the walk as a chance to celebrate the vital role parks and trails play in everyday life.
“From pickleball courts, to playgrounds, and to peaceful walking paths, CPRD’s parks and trails are a vital part of life and livability in this community” he said. “It's important that these spaces are well-maintained, safe, and welcoming for everyone.”
The walk concludes back at the Chehalem Cultural Center—a restored 1935 WPA building that once housed Newberg’s Central School. It was rescued from abandonment in the late 1990s and transformed into the community gem it is today. With art galleries, studios, classrooms, a theater, and event spaces, the center connects people to creative expression, local history, and each other.
“From art to athletics, this walk highlights how trails are more than just paths—they’re bridges,” said Dolphin. “They connect us to our culture, nature, and our neighbors.”
Whether you’re a pickleball pro, a curious newcomer, or just looking for a Sunday outing with family and friends, this event is your invitation to rediscover the power of local trails to bring Newberg together.
To join the walk or learn more about upcoming events and how to support trails in the Chehalem Valley, visit ChehalemTrails.org.