Editing Coos Bay, Oregon (section)

==Parks and recreation==
[[File:Mingus Park (Coos County, Oregon scenic images) (cooDA0031).jpg|thumb|Mingus Park]]
[[File:Choshi Japanese Gardens.jpg|thumb|In Mingus Park]]

Mingus Park, near downtown Coos Bay, features a {{convert|1|mi|km|1|adj=on}}<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.coostrails.com/traildescriptions/minguspark/mingus.htm |title=Mingus Park |access-date=September 6, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120331194200/http://www.coostrails.com/traildescriptions/minguspark/mingus.htm |archive-date=March 31, 2012 |url-status=dead }}</ref> walking path that encircles a large pond with a resident population of ducks and geese. An outdoor swimming pool is available during the summer months, as well as an outdoor amphitheater. An 18-hole [[disc golf]] course is in the forest on the north side of the park. A [[skatepark]] and tennis courts are in the southeast portion. In addition, there are playgrounds for children in the southwest, and a softball field in the east.

John Topits Park, more commonly known as Empire Lakes, in the northwestern section of Coos Bay, is a {{convert|120|acre|ha|adj=on}} natural area encompassing the Empire Lakes and protected coastal dune and forest land. No motor boats are permitted on the lakes. However, there is a launch for canoes, kayaks and other non-motorized boats. There are {{convert|5.5|mi|km}} of pedestrian and cycling trails. The Empire Lakes is home to a variety of fish (bass, bluegill, perch, catfish), waterfowl and birds.<ref>{{cite web |title=Empire Lakes (John Topits Park) |url=http://www.coostrails.com/traildescriptions/empirelakes/empirelakes.htm |publisher=Coostrails.com |access-date=October 17, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180208123453/http://www.coostrails.com/traildescriptions/empirelakes/empirelakes.htm |archive-date=February 8, 2018 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

The greater Coos Bay area has a variety of outdoor recreation opportunities, including the [[Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area]], which brings approximately 1.5&nbsp;million visitors each year.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.fs.fed.us/r6/siuslaw/recreation/tripplanning/oregondunes/index.shtml |title=Siuslaw National Forest |access-date=June 23, 2006 |archive-date=June 15, 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060615044234/http://www.fs.fed.us/r6/siuslaw/recreation/tripplanning/oregondunes/index.shtml |url-status=live }}</ref> The ocean beaches near Coos Bay are devoid of the level of development seen on other areas of the Oregon Coast, due to much of the coastline being designated [[state park|state]] and county parks. Across the entrance bar to Coos Bay from the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area lie the rugged cliffs and pocket beaches of Bastendorf Beach County Park, Yoakam Point State Park, [[Sunset Bay State Park]], [[Shore Acres State Park]] and [[Cape Arago State Park]]. Approximately {{convert|11|mi|km|0}} southwest of Coos Bay is the [[South Slough National Estuarine Research Reserve]] and approximately {{convert|25|mi|km}} east in the [[Southern Oregon Coast Range|Coast Range]] is [[Golden and Silver Falls State Natural Area]].

[[File:Cape Arago Overlook.jpg|thumb|[[Cape Arago State Park|Cape Arago Overlook]]]]

[[File:Simpson Reef Panorama.jpg|thumb|Simpson Reef Panorama]]