Washington Park Attraction
Address: 4033 SW Canyon Rd, Portland, OR 97221, United States
Washington Park is one of the oldest and most popular parks in Portland, Oregon. It has a variety of features that make it appealing for visitors and locals alike. If you are planning a trip to Portland, or if you just want to learn more about your city's best park, then this article will give you all the information that you need!
History
Washington Park is a staple of Portland, Oregon. In 1871, Portland bought the first 40.78 acres (16.5 hectares) of Washington Park. The area then was all wilderness with few highways. Access was hampered by dense scrub, trees, and wandering cougars. Charles M. Meyers, who was employed as a park keeper in the mid-1880s, transformed the park by drawing on impressions of his native Germany. Then in 1909, the Olmsted Brothers, sons of famed landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted recommended and made changes to the park.
They built the park to serve as a memorial to America's first president, George Washington. The park is home to many of the city's most iconic attractions and landmarks. It is also one of the crown jewels of Portland Parks & Recreation offices.
Features
Washington Park is over 400 acres in size and features everything from its rose garden to its zoo. The park’s International Rose Garden Test also features an extensive display of flowers every springtime! Don't miss the International Rose Test Garden. This ten-acre garden features more than seven thousand rose bushes of approximately five hundred varieties.
If you're hungry, there are plenty of options in the park. Try the food cart at Hoyt Arboretum or one of Portland's many restaurants downtown, such as Lardo! There's also Hoyt Arboretum, “a living museum of plants from all over the world.” You can hike to see amazing views or breathtaking trees.
Activities To Do
There are many things to do in Washington Park, from walking the trails to visiting its World Forestry Center Discovery Museum.
It also houses the Oregon Zoo, home to more than 2000 animals, and features “expansive habitats with naturalistic settings.” It also has the Portland Children's Museum, which has three floors of hands-on exhibits that are sure to keep your kids busy for hours! This museum was built for children to use the arts and sciences in constructing transformative learning opportunities.
We hope you enjoy exploring Washington Park!
Getting There
There are many different ways to get to the park. You can use their Washington Park Free Shuttle, transit, walk, bike, skate, take a cab, or use your own car. However, it’s essential to know that car parking is limited so you might try to discover other options.
We hope you’ve enjoyed this post and learned a little more about the beautiful Washington Park in Portland. If you want to explore further, head over to Lan Su Chinese Garden, too. Sharp Tack Media supports their work. We believe they are an essential part of our community and will help make your next visit to the Pacific Northwest a one-of-a-kind experience!
