Shore Acres State Park

Shore Acres State Park is an Oregon State Park located on the Cape Arago Highway south of Coos Bay, Oregon, United States. The park features five acres of formal gardens including a rose-testing plot and Japanese lily pond. During autumn, winter and spring, visitors gather on the tall sandstone cliffs overlooking the Pacific Ocean for stormwatching and observation of the gray whale migration. Another seasonal attraction is the Shore Acres Holiday Lights, lasting from Thanksgiving to New Year's Day, when the gardens are decorated with thousands of lights and illuminated sculptures. Shore Acres also includes a small beach on a secluded cove where elephant seals haul out to molt amongst picnickers.

Shore Acres was originally an estate of the same name owned by Louis Simpson, a Coos County timber baron. After fire and financial losses devastated his estate holdings, Simpson sold the land to the State of Oregon for use as a park in 1942. The gardens Simpson developed, as well as one building, the gardner's cottage, remain as important features in the park.

External links

* [http://oregonstateparks.org/park_97.php/ Official Shore Acres State Park website]
* [http://www.shoreacres.net/ Friends of Shore Acres website]