McVay is a well-hidden park noted for surf fishing, clamming, whale watching, and plenty of space to walk on the beach. The large lawn has a nine-hole disc golf course overlooking the ocean.
The park is elevated above the ocean. As you walk along the edge, you'll often have eye-to-eye encounters with the seabirds catching the updrafts from the beach. A steep, rocky path leads to the beach.
McVay is also home to one of the "off leash" dog parks in the Brookings area.
Special note:
The Oregon Parks and Recreation Department and Curry County are discussing the possibility of signing a lease transferring management and improvement of McVay to Curry County. We agreed to talk about it as a condition for a land swap in 2020, one where OPRD got undeveloped county land on the shore of Floras Lake and the county got undeveloped state land along 101 north of Port Orford.
Whether we sign a lease to the county or not, the pet exercise area, disc golf course, parking, and beach access will remain part of the park.
The county is thinking it might eventually invest in facilities for groups to gather for daytime events, and maybe a small tent camping area with a single RV campsite for a volunteer host to keep an eye on things. It is not considering a public RV campground.
We will publish your feedback monthly, redacting personal information.
If we do pursue a lease, it would be late this year or in early 2024 at the soonest. We're doing an open house to share the feedback we've collected and hear your thoughts: Sept. 27, 5-7 p.m., Chetco Activity Center, 550 Chetco Lane, Brookings. No agenda, and the room is small, so stop by any time from 5-7 p.m.
This park was purchased from private owners between 1970 and 1974 for public access to the beach. McVay Rock, located near the wayside, was named for William R. McVay, who settled nearby in 1861.