Muriel O. Ponsler Memorial State Scenic Viewpoint, Public coastal viewpoint in Florence, United States.
Muriel O. Ponsler Memorial State Scenic Viewpoint is a coastal park near Florence that features wide sandy beaches alongside rocky coves and cliff faces. The site stretches for several miles with multiple overlooks positioned to take in ocean views and access points to explore tide pools and natural rock formations.
The land was donated by J. C. Ponsler, an auto dealer in Florence, Oregon, in memory of his wife Muriel Olevia Grant Ponsler. She was born in Dallas, Oregon, on September 21, 1897, married J. C. in July 1920, and died in Florence on March 29, 1939. The site is now a state park administered by the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department.
The park is named for Muriel Olevia Grant, born in Dallas, Oregon, on September 21, 1897; she married J. C. Ponsler, a Florence auto dealer, in July 1920 and died in Florence on March 29, 1939. Her husband gave the land in her memory, so the site is a family memorial as much as a coastal stop.
The viewpoint sits at about 16 metres above sea level on the Lane County coast, roughly 15.6 km north of Yachats, with the Pacific immediately to the west and forested slopes rising inland. Plan tide-pool visits around low tide, since the pools are submerged at high water. Daylight hours only; no camping is listed for the site.
Seasonal whale migrations pass directly along the shore, making this site a prime viewing location without needing boats. The tide pools host a diverse array of sea life including starfish and anemones that reveal themselves as water recedes.
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