Roger Tofte and The Handmade Magic Of Oregon’s Enchanted Forest

February 27
19 mins

Episode Description

Start with a finish-line smile and a hand-built castle. We open by honoring Jeff Galloway—the Olympian and Run-Walk-Run mentor whose you can do it turned marathons into memories for everyday runners—then spend most of this short episode saluting another architect of joy: Roger Tofte, the craftsman behind Oregon’s Enchanted Forest.


Roger was a draftsman, sign maker, and watch repairer who saw a quiet forest near Salem and imagined a fairy tale carved into concrete and trees. He bought twenty acres on a shoestring, spent seven years shaping Storybook Lane by hand, and opened with a butcher-paper sign.

We celebrate Roger’s life at ninety-six and the ongoing stewardship of his family, who still run the park with the same hands-on care. If you’re mapping an Oregon road trip, looking for family-friendly attractions near Salem, or chasing the charm of indie amusement parks, this story is your guide to what handmade wonder looks like—and why it endures. Press play, then share this with someone who loves small, magical places.

Two great men have passed. We were so lucky to share the planet with them.

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