Parks Around PDX

Trying to decide whether to be the Carry Bradshaw of toddlers in PDX or the Andy Anderson the “How to Girl”.  Can I do both? I suppose I will try, insights about life as a current day mom and all the info about all the activities you can do around town.

I lived in Oregon for roughly 10 years, I went to the U of O, “SKOOOO DUCKS” and then lived all over Oregon and beyond, Portland, Bend, Hood River, Santa Fe, Denver, Maui and now Portland, again. Coming back to PDX is pretty special for us and it is so awesome to get to explore not as a 20 something partying and going to shows but as a mom. I get to really appreciate the city much more for what it has to offer. Like the Zoo, I was never going to go to the Zoo without kids but it is now a weekly staple. So here are all the parks we have found thus far, what we like about them, the ones we are not so stoked on and everything in between. I will be doing this with events and pumpkin patches etc. So far I have only found one blog that really lays it all out for you, PDX Parent and they are great! I am making my compilation more curated than an overview of every available as PDX Parent does it (and thank god for all that you've shared, we appreciate you!). These posts and this blog will be what we like and why we like it. I am also going to do these in phases so as to not overwhelm myself nor you. Here’s the first of many more to come.

1. Spring Garden Park/”Bird Nest Park”

Why we like it: 

• Direct and easy directions via Google. Easy parking in a nice neighborhood. I feel extremely comfortable parking on the street and not that we would but if we did leave any valuables in the car it would likely be fine.  A nice well to do neighborhood with lots of grandparents and what seems to be SAHM and tech dads. Lots of Adidas and baseball caps if you know the type.

• The park layout is very open making it easy to keep an eye on both kids specifically during the week and being a bit more challenging the busier the park is, though that is anywhere. Accessible for both Marigold 1 ½ and Angus 3. You would think the big boulders might be a bit sketchy but we’ve never had an issue and Angus and Marigold enjoy climbing all over them. The rope structures have seats sporadically placed so the kids can climb and sit, which I just think is brilliant. The big slide is a blast and easy for the kids to climb up. 

• The real star of the show is the art installation, a giant beautiful bird nest. It is awesome for the kids to play in, and one time a grandpa was adding and “rebuilding” the shape with sticks and Angus and his granddaughter were entertained for quite some time. Just a fun little bungalow for the kids to play in. 

• In the summer there is a splash pad and there is a nice newer port-a-potty/restroom right next to the park so if you need to pop in for a moment the kids will be fine. Lots of grass to run on, a small trail/path at the back with lots of runners and walkers. Plus the park is located up a few flights of stairs making the road a little less accessible. I do not worry about them running in the road since the park is set a ways back, they have never gone towards the road. There are also lots of benches and picnic tables for the endless snacking that these kids do.

Overall I rate this park 10/10, convenient, safe for kids and cars, lovely patrons to interact with and plenty of visibility. It’s also a newer park and very well kept. Honestly this park does not have any negative attributes, it's just awesome.

2. Hidden Creek West/“Monkey Park” 

Why we LOVE it:

• Seriously you guys, epic park. The ideal suburban community center park. This park has a stunning giant monkey installation, whose name is Oro. Just beautiful. New and clean and well kept. The entire park has a fence around it so you don’t have to worry about the kids escaping. I always truly appreciate a park with a fence, such a stress relief to know the kids can’t run into the abyss. 

• Oro himself has beautiful butterflies and slides and areas to climb all over plus small activities inside too. Plus the photo opps!

• There is a sand pit that had a few buckets and small shovels when we went, not sure how common this is but stoked on that. 

• A generous sized play area for both kids, the monkey itself is more accommodating to Angus, 3, than to Marigold, 1 1/2 . 

• Beautiful, new and clean bathrooms available.

• A wonderful picnic area with a permanent cornhole, a foosball table and more. There were no bags or balls but I assume that is something the community center hosts. You could always bring your own. 

• ALSO! Across the way right through the picnic/game area (as stated above) is a workout area that acts a lot as an obstacle course for the littles. Just another fun plus. 

• Parking and getting there is so easy. You park in the community center parking lot, though there is parking directly next to the park, and there is a wonderful ¼ mile walk through the forest from parking lot to the park itself. Beware there are signs that warn of poison oak. We were fine but I can’t say that didn't stress me out a bit.

Overall we rate this park another 10/10. Our only complaint, besides the poison oak, is that it is a bit of a trek for us living in North Portland, not the park's fault. A truly beautiful park. Its size does make it a bit hard to keep an eye on both kids, especially when busy but the gate helps with that anxiety. 

3. Gabriel Park/“Tower Park”

Why we LOVE it:

• Another beautiful park. Pretty big but tucked away with walking paths and a basketball court making it a mostly secure space. There is one fence that the kids can open close to the road that isn’t stellar. 

  
  

• Literally everyone gets a kick out of the built-in ground trampoline.

  
  

• Lots of fun swings and a few large rock sculptures for the kids to play in.

  
  

• The kids also enjoy the large wall of sensory activities. 

What We are not so inspired by:

• This is best described as a “rolling park” meaning the layout has lots of hills and few stairs, it’s a bit challenging and awkward to get to each “level” for both kids and parents. 

  
  

• The bathrooms are present but a bit of a ways away, making use of the potty an urgent matter, especially if you're at the top of the park. Also, not as new or clean.

  
  

• The slide is a bit intimidating and there isn't an easy access point without going all the way to the top of the playground. For Marigold the slide is a bit intimidating and a little unattainable. Angus will go down it but doesn't seem to feel very comfortable. He only goes down once or twice. It's a large silver tube slide so not super “welcoming” for the younger kids. 

  
  

• There is a merry-go-round type structure but it doesn't spin very well and is kind of a disappointment. 

Overall we rate this park a 7/10 but do enjoy going, my expectations are just lower. Mostly because though there is seemingly a lot to do, the layout is awkward for everyone and there aren’t actually a lot of attainable play structures for younger kids. Not a total bust by any means but not as nice as Spring Garden. Also, it has been under renovations but could use some more sprucing up.

4. Wallace Park

Why we LOVE it:

• If I am truly honest, my favorite thing about this park is that I can go to Trader Joe’s and then finish the morning off here lol. Seriously. But, also this park is another one full of nostalgia for me being as I lived, and thrived if I might add, in NW PDX for a time. So many memories. But that truly is neither here nor there, obviously. What I actually love about this park is that it is ideal for the kids to bike around. We park of NW Raleigh St, since parking is easy and free between school hours, and then this sets us up to ride bikes on the sidewalk to the two parks.

  
  

• I love that there are two parks in close proximity to each other, with the smaller park is more attainable for Marigold. Angus enjoys the small tunnel but seems to get bored pretty quick.

  
  

• The tire swing is great.

  
  

• If you go on a weekend you can also use the school's playground.

  
  

• The basketball courts are a stones throw from the small park and the kids love biking on the court. 

  
  

• The bigger park is a bit advanced but Angus 3, manages just fine and Marigold just needs assistance getting up the platforms. I feel comfortable letting her explore on the top. Some parks can be nerve racking to let the younger kids climb about but this one is mostly enclosed and the big slide isn't an issue or intimidating for Marigold 1 1/2, to go down.

  
  

• There's a lot of running space but visibility between parks is not stellar, manageable but not great.

  
  

• Also there is a very popular dog park nearby and a huge baseball field where people are constantly letting their dogs run around. We love this and it has never been an issue for us but if you are not keen on lots of dog activity then this park is likely not for you. We also have had our fair share of stepping in dog poop here when going through the grass, same with Pier Park. So proceed with caution.

  
  

• There are public restrooms close but we discovered today that they are closed for the season, not stoked on that.

  
  

• Since this park is in NW and the houses are unattainable to most of the world lol we run into a lot of grandparents here, which it's quite enjoyable. Grandparents are always very cautious but very friendly.

Overall we rate this park a 9/10. Love this park because of the convenience. It is clean, always easy parking during the week in the morning. Lots of space to ride bike and run. Mostly set in so I don’t worry much about traffic. NW is very well kept and as seen here the Fall is stunning here.

5. Cook Park

Why we LOVE it:

• Cook Park is like a park oasis. It is giant, in the trees with all the best playground gadgets.

  
  

• Lots of space for both kids to run and explore. Marigold is able to play on most everything but steers clear of the main big slide, the manner in which it is designed she doesn't even try to go up making it stress free for her to run around.

  
  

• There is also a small playground for the littles wiht lots of fun activiies.

  
  

• All the kids love the 'rolly slide'.

  
  

• Nice clean bathrooms. Not like Spring Garden or Hidden Garden West but still nice and located right as you walk into the park. Parking is easy and straight forward.

Overall we rate this park a 9/10 because I think the kids can get a bit overwhelmed here. There are often a lot of kids, which is definitely a perk but there are also schools or daycares that come and flood the space and it can be a bit much. The turf is so nice, the structures are newer and well kept, and the visibility to see both kids is on point. This is quite a trek for us, nearly 35 to 40 minutes but the kids always enjoy it.