By Lita Batho, April 8, 2026
“Best” may be debatable, but biggest is not. At 5,200 acres, Forest Park is one of the largest urban parks in the country, and the largest in Portland. The park has over 80 miles of trails, easily accessible and maintained by Forest Park Conservancy, Portland Parks and Recreation, and Volunteers. (Now’s your chance!)
If you find the size intimidating, an easy place to begin exploring is the Lower Macleay Trail, a well traveled path with a parking area which runs along Balch Creek. Portlanders are familiar with the Witch’s Castle, an abandoned stone structure about .8 miles into the trail, and the path leads up to the Bird Alliance of Oregon (formerly Audubon Society). This is a separate natural area with a visitor center and 4 miles of trails on 172 acres. (I saw an elk there on a rainy day, and there is a bird rescue facility, too)
Drive, or take public transit a bit further up the hill and you may bike, walk or run along Leif Erikson trail, from the trailhead on Thurman Ave. Leif Erikson was the access road for the area when residential housing was planned (and fizzled out in the first half of the 20th century since building was too difficult). From this wider, partly paved path, there are access points to wooded trails like the Wild Cherry and Dogwood trails. It’s easy to walk in-and-out, or to plan a 3-4 mile loop.
The park helps filter air and water, and is home to over 50 types of mammals, 100 species of birds and over 400 invertebrates. You may see owls, snakes, shrews, deer, woodpeckers, and many large slugs.
Enjoy Portland’s green spaces and parks! Beautiful at any time of year, and a reminder of the natural spaces we built on to create our neighborhoods.
Lita Batho
Broker | OR & WA
She/Her
Lita has a genuine enthusiasm for navigating home purchases and sales with the intention of outperforming the market and making the process stress free and transparent for her clients.
"I began real estate as an independent agent, however during the pandemic, decided to accelerate my experience and build skills more quickly by serving as listing specialist for a highly productive, all-female team. Even though there were only 5 of us we were one of the busiest teams in the city, and over 2.5 years, I helped over 60 sellers successfully navigate the sale of various property types throughout the Portland Metro area. From condos and fixers to bungalows and homes with million-dollar views, I thoroughly enjoyed connecting with a diverse range of clients, including seniors downsizing, young families seeking more space, and single women embarking on their next step.
While this experience was rewarding, having accelerated my experience, deepened my knowledge, and honed my skills, it felt natural to return to solo agency in early 2024. I'd missed the autonomy and agility that come with being a solo business owner, considering that I've been a business owner for the majority of my working life, and I was eager to leverage these qualities to further benefit my clients.
I firmly believe that whether you're buying or selling a home, you deserve genuine and excellent representation. My consistent client feedback highlights my strengths in setting proper expectations, negotiating, timely communication, and efficiency -- all while being kind, direct, and a dedicated advocate.
My goal extends beyond successful sales and purchases, however; I aim to earn my clients' trust, leading to their recommendations. The highest compliment I can receive is that a past client trusts me with their own friends and family."
Originally from Minneapolis, Minnesota, Lita relocated to the Pacific Northwest in 1995 and has lived in Portland since 2001. She has an small business background, and a zest for negotiation, having grown up in her mother's retail shops and selling Christmas trees for her dad. Lita spent several years as a steel sculptor and public artist in Seattle, as well gaining extensive experience as a yoga teacher. When not working, you’ll find her cultivating an ever-expanding flower garden, doing home improvement projects, making art, or hiking in Forest Park or the gorge.
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