The Oregon State Parks and Recreation Commission voted on Wednesday to buy Abiqua Falls for $2 million. This move stops the 92-foot waterfall and its 160-acre property in Marion County from falling into new private hands. The purchase settles a months-long standoff after the Abbey Foundation of Oregon listed the historic site for sale in February.
For over a century, the foundation linked to Mount Angel Abbey managed the land. When they put it up for sale, local lawmakers scrambled to intervene. House Majority Leader Ben Bowman called the vote a way to ensure children can physically stand at the falls, not just read about them. He credited the foundation for a century of stewardship.
The transaction is not just about the water. It covers 160 acres of unmaintained trails and basalt cliffs near Scotts Mills. Oregon State Parks and Recreation Department director Lisa Sumption warned that ownership brings heavy maintenance costs. "Parks are not just nature," she said. "It takes continuous staff, time and money... to keep it there."
The deal closes around the end of 2026. Until then, the state is drafting a management plan. The focus is on making the unmaintained trails safe for public access.