What We Fund
Serving You Since 1986
Friends of Silver Falls is the nonprofit partner of the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department, dedicated to preserving the natural and cultural resources of Silver Falls State Park. Founded in 1986 by community members, volunteers, and park staff, we’re celebrating 40 years of supporting Oregon’s largest state park.
Through interpretive programs, project funding, and visitor engagement, we help create a more meaningful experience for the 1.5 million people who visit Silver Falls each year, support that state funding alone can’t provide.
2025 Impact in Numbers
Visitor services & educational programs in 2025
Volunteer hours dedicated to Silver Falls in 2025
Cash contributed to Silver Falls projects in 2025
Upcoming & Current Projects
Silver Falls Visitor Center
Friends’ Falls for All Campaign Goal: $900,000
Oregon Parks and Recreation Dept. Secured: $7,960,000.00
We're creating a place designed to welcome visitors, spark curiosity, and deepen connections to one of Oregon’s most beloved parks. While Oregon Parks and Recreation Department is funding the building's construction, Friends of Silver Falls is raising the remaining funds needed for interpretive exhibits, accessibility enhancements, educational displays, wayfinding, and visitor engagement features. Download the campaign brochure for more information or sign up for email updates here.
Camp Silver Creek Ongoing Funding
Total Funds Contributed: $74,000+
Since 2013, over $70,000 has been funded for repairs and maintenance of the infrastructure at the historic Youth Camp, which opened in 1938.
Botanical Illustrations
Total Funds Contributed: $17,900
In 2015, FOSF commissioned local artist, Aislinn Adams, to illustrate 30 commonly found native plants of Silver Falls. These plant ID sheets are on display at the South Falls Lodge.
Campground Amphitheater
Total Funds Raised: $12,000
We aim to upgrade the campground amphitheater screen to create a more welcoming gathering space and enhance the campground experience for visitors. These improvements will support ranger talks, educational programs, and evening events for campers and families.
Recently Completed Projects
Entrance Monuments
Project Completed: 2025
Total Funds Contributed: $42,128
More than simple entrance signs, these monuments serve as symbolic gateways, marking the moment visitors enter or leave this treasured public land. The stone framing echoes the historic masonry found throughout Silver Falls, while the wooden center and the iconic Oregon Parks and Recreation Department’s shield blend modern design with timeless tradition.
Stone Kitchen Shelter Masonry and Chimney Repairs
Project Completed: 2024
Total Funds Contributed: $61,511
The Stone Kitchen Shelter is located in the South Falls Historic District and is an artifact in itself, dating back to 1936. The past few summers, Friends have opened it during the busy season to showcase the history of the Civilian Conservation Corps. It has recently undergone some much-needed repairs and restoration. The board voted to fully fund this endeavor at their May meeting, which came to $61,511. The repairs focused on masonry work, repointing and repairing sandstone. This included the fireplace, three stoves, the firebox’s brick masonry, as well as constructing a new chimney cap and replacing the chimney flashing.
This historic building is special to many volunteers, staff, and board members, which is why it was chosen for the Friends logo update. In particular, we couldn’t have funded this project without the late board member, Tom Dill. Tom was very passionate about using the building and personally contributed to its funding and plans for years. We’ve received annual donations in his memory since his passing in 2021. All donations for the Stone Kitchen Shelter (including any in memory of Tom) will be used for this project, and the remaining balance will be paid with revenue from the Nature Store, membership fees, and general donations.
South Falls Lodge Paver Installation
Project Completed: 2023
Total Funds Contributed: $60,530
Over 2,800 square feet of pavers were installed around South Falls Lodge in November 2023. The Friends of Silver Falls was eager to fund this project, with the hopes of increasing accessibility to the ADA entrance as well as the Native Plant Garden.
At just over $60,000, this was the Friends’ largest infrastructure project to date. Thank you to Garden City Landscapes for doing such a wonderful job!
North Falls Viewpoint Design
Project Completed: 2023
Total Funds Contributed: $37,625
One of our largest contributions to date was the planning and design for the new viewpoint of North Falls. Our board of directors and staff partnered with park management to create an accessible viewpoint that gives an unmistakable nod to the historic stonework throughout the park. The unique, uneven railing gives this design a more modern look that blends in with the surrounding trees. Friends and park staff were also instrumental in planning the interpretive panels at the trailhead.
We hope this day-use area will decrease the heavy traffic seen at South Falls every year and provide an accessible, dog-friendly waterfall trail for visitors to enjoy. Many organizations were involved in the North Falls Day-Use project, and we are very proud to be a part of it.
Preliminary Sketch by Mayer/Reed
South Falls Day-Use Water Fountains
Project Completed: 2022
Total Funds Contributed: $8,520
In 2021, FOSF funded two drinking fountains for the South Falls Day-Use area. These fountains have a water bottle fill, a regular fountain, and a dog bowl. The first was installed this spring at the main restrooms, where over a million ,visitors enter the park every year.
The second was recently installed by park staff at the Nature Store. Friends hope these water fill stations will encourage visitors to be prepared before hiking into the canyon and reduce the waste of single-use water bottles. Both drinking fountains will be turned on in the spring when temperatures are above freezing.
Older Projects
Other projects include Silver Falls Tour Route signs throughout the area, CCC memorial log, North Falls Nature Play Area, History of Silver Falls publication, We Were There publication, and various roofing and paving projects to improve access to interpretive spaces.
Our Programs
Interpretation
One of the most impactful contributions to date is the full-time interpreter the Friends has employed since 2015. This position supports Oregon Park and Recreation Department's interpretive programs at Silver Falls. Responsibilities include leading campground and Jr. Ranger programs, guided hikes, field trips, discovery tables, and historic tours. Interpretive festivals educate thousands of visitors about the ecology of Silver Falls, offering free activities such as guided hikes, a native plant sale, plant displays, propagation classes, telescopes, and nature crafts.
Nature Store
The store serves as a central hub for 1.5 million day-use visitors each year, offering an educational resource and a chance for volunteers and guests to engage and learn about the park. It generates financial support through the sale of educational merchandise that follows Oregon Parks and Recreation Department's guidelines and supports the Friends of Silver Falls mission.
Visitor Services & Events
Contributions to visitor experience include providing public Wi-Fi access at the South Falls Lodge, Friends App with a full database of the park's flora and fauna, native plant garden at the South Falls Lodge, taxidermy, interpretive panels/displays, event funding/support, and special guest presentations.
Volunteers
Friends of Silver Falls volunteers contributed the equivalent of $100,000 in time each year. They engage directly with visitors at various locations, including the Nature Store, Discovery Tables, Stone Kitchen Shelter, field trips, guided hikes, and special projects.