Designed to protect a newly restored wetland and open the South Trail System to more visitors, this project helps more people connect with nature in meaningful ways.

CHARLESTON, Ore – As part of the Wasson Creek Restoration Project, a new accessible boardwalk is being constructed on the southern part of the South Slough Reserve. This new boardwalk is independent of the popular Big Cedar Trail boardwalk and will allow visitors to the Reserve to traverse the estuaries edge in the Wasson Valley.

“This boardwalk is part of a longstanding goal of the Reserve to be more accessible, allowing people with different mobilities to access meaningful areas within the Reserve,” said Patricia Fox, Reserve Manager.

The new boardwalk trail will also be an education tool for the Reserve, especially for the many schoolchildren and community members that take advantage of the Reserve education programming.

The Oregon Department of State Lands enacted specific trail and forest closures as a public safety measure due to hazards from boardwalk construction and use of heavy equipment. From August 1, 2025, to January 30, 2026, no forest activities are permitted in the Wasson Valley, including hunting. The South Trail System, including Fredrickson Marsh Loop, is closed August 11–22, 2025, and again September 1–October 1, 2025.

South Slough Visitor Center trails remain open daily from dawn - dusk. Updates to closure will be made available through our website at southsloughestuary.org or by calling the Visitor Center during normal business hours at 541-888-5558.  For more information and a hunting map, please visit https://tinyurl.com/3jt94cpb.

Funding for the project comes from the National Estuarine Research Reserve System Habitat Protection and Restoration Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Coos Basin Coho Partnership, and Coquille Tribal Community Fund.