In early 2024, the property, a 92-foot vertical drop over stunning columnar basalt cliffs, appeared on the mainstream real estate site Redfin. While it had been open to the public for generations, the land was actually privately owned by the Abbey Foundation of Oregon , a nonprofit supporting Benedictine monks. The foundation listed the 40-acre lot as an "open auction," with no set price, sparking widespread fear among Oregonians that a private buyer might close access to the beloved site. Bipartisan Intervention
While the state has secured the purchase funds, transforming Abiqua Falls into a safe public park may require significant additional investment for road and trail improvements. buy waterfall
The purchase marks a transition for the site from private stewardship to public management. In early 2024, the property, a 92-foot vertical
The Oregon Parks and Recreation Department is conducting due diligence, including environmental reviews, before final acquisition. Bipartisan Intervention While the state has secured the
The Abbey Foundation eventually accepted the state's offer, noting that they wanted to ensure proper professional stewardship for the property after over a century of private ownership.