Green Grove Cohousing opens for National Cohousing Weekend May 2

Green Grove Cohousing Community will hold an open house Saturday, May 2, from 1 to 4 p.m. as part of National Cohousing Open House Weekend, organizers said in a press release.

Green Grove sits on five acres on the northern edge of Forest Grove and is the only cohousing community in western Washington County, the press release said. The community of nine energy-efficient homes shares gardens, chickens, a workshop and a Common House for guests and community activities.

Courtesy Green Grove Cohousing Community

Green Grove is located at 3900 Coho Circle off Thatcher Road.

Cohousing communities pair private homes with shared common facilities and shared maintenance of common areas. Neighbors play together, cook for one another, share tools and work collaboratively, the press release noted.

"Cohousing offers a unique way of living that promotes sustainability, community, and a high quality of life," said Linda Stiles Taylor, a Green Grove resident, in the release. "We look forward to sharing our experience with others and inspiring more people to consider cohousing as a housing option."

Visitors at Saturday's open house can tour the neighborhood, meet residents and learn about the cohousing model. The event includes family-friendly activities, a bluegrass jam, refreshments and displays. Admission is free; service animals only.

The first cohousing community in the United States was completed in California more than 30 years ago, the release added. Today there are 17 cohousing communities at various stages in Oregon and more than 265 nationwide, according to the Cohousing Association of the United States.

More information is at greengrovecoho.org. Information on other cohousing open houses in the Portland metro area is at cohousing.org.

This story has been updated with an address.