Collin Smith and his family volunteered their time to help clear brush and build trails at the newly dedicated White Oak Savannah overlooking West Linn. It was during his volunteer efforts that he discovered a 296-year-old Douglas Fir living within the oaks. The tree was special. On a parcel of land covered by grasses and white oak trees, it stood above them all as a reminder of how truly magnificent nature can be.
Collin wasn't the only person who loved that tree. Roberta Schwarz, who heads the organization Neighbors For a Livable West Linn, loved the tree as well. However, the land the tree sat on was to be sold and used to build apartments and a parking lot. In partnership with the Trust for Public Land, Roberta raised enough money to buy the land and in 2017, it was dedicated as a city part.
As a way of honoring Roberta and what she has helped provide for the city of West Linn, for his Eagle Scout project, Collin decided to build an observation point from which to view the tree. He hopes the structure will be permanent and provide people a place to relax and connect with the giant Douglas Fir for generations to come.