THIS SPECIAL 883 ACRE PARK/WILDLIFE REFUGE WAS ACQUIRED IN 1970 & LIES ENTIRELY
WITHIN A FLOOD PLAIN. THE GREATEST FLOOD THAT WAS EVER RECORDED OCCURRED IN
DECEMBER 1861. PRIOR TO THIS FLOOD, THE WILLAMETTE RIVER FORMED TWO ISLANDS SO
THAT MINTO ISLAND WAS ON THE EAST SIDE. BROWN ISLAND WAS ON THE WEST SIDE
OF THE MAIN STREAM. TODAY, THESE ISLANDS ARE NO LONGER TRUE ISLANDS.
IN 1857, ISAAC "WHISKEY" BROWN MADE HIS WAY UP THE COLUMBIA & WILLAMETTE RIVERS FROM
ASTORIA & ESTABLISHED HIS HOME ON THE ISLAND THAT NOW BEARS HIS NAME. HERE, THE
COLORFUL & UNTIDY BROWN RAISED LIVESTOCK, CROPS AND TOBACCO. IN 1867 JOHN MINTO,
EARLY PIONEER, LEGISLATOR, FARMER AND SURVEYOR PURCHASED 247 ACRES ON THE ADJACENT
SIDE WHICH WAS NAMED MINTO ISLAND AT THAT TIME. THE ISLAND WAS THEN CLEARED, TURNED
INTO PRODUCTIVE FARMLAND & HAS BEEN IN AGRICULTURAL USE EVER SINCE.
TODAY THIS PARK IS MANAGED AS A WILDLIFE REFUGE, RECREATION AREA & WINTERING GROUNDS
FOR THE DUSKY CANADIAN GEESE. THIS RACE OF GOOSE NESTS ON ALASKA'S COOPER RIVER DELTA
AND WINTERS ON IN THE WILLAMETTE VALLEY. FROM MID OCTOBER WINTER TO MID APRIL, FLOCKS
OF THE GEESE & OTHER WATERFOWL MAY BE SEEN IN THE OPEN FIELDS OF THIS LARGE PARK. WE
HOPE YOU ENJOY THE SCENERY, BIKE TRAILS & OTHER FACILITIES THIS UNIQUE PARK HAS TO OFFER.