Located in Portland, Oregon, Washington Park is a public urban park. Its features include an arboretum, zoo, forestry museum, Japanese garden, playgrounds, and miles of trails. It also features memorials and public art. Read on to know more.
Hoyt Arboretum
Located in the Tualatin Mountains, the Hoyt Arboretum is a nature museum in Portland, Oregon. It features a herbarium and a dozen miles of trails. The arboretum is open to visitors year-round and is accessible by car, bicycle, or public transit.
The Hoyt Arboretum is 189 acres of curated woodland. It is one of the oldest parks in Portland. In 1928, the Forestry Committee of the Chamber of Commerce pushed for the establishment of an arboretum in Washington Park. The land was given to the Parks Bureau by Multnomah County.
The Arboretum was originally designed as a private garden for families to visit. Then, in the 1970s, the Hoyt Arboretum was opened to the public. There are more than 6,000 trees and more than 2,000 species of plants. These include rare and endangered species. The park is a critical partner in global conservation.
Rose Garden Children’s Playground
Located near the Portland Japanese Garden, the Rose Garden Children’s Playground is a popular play space for children of all ages. This playground was created with a $2 million fund-raising effort spearheaded by the Rotary Club of Portland.
The play structure features an array of ramps, bridges, and slides. There is a small sand pit. The playground is suitable for children ages two to five years.
The park is open seven days a week. Parking is available on Kingston Drive. It is a short walk to the playground. The playground is wheelchair accessible.
Washington Park is a popular destination for families in Portland. There are many fun attractions to choose from, including the Oregon Zoo, Hoyt Arboretum, and the International Rose Test Garden.
Oregon Zoo
Located in Washington Park, the Oregon Zoo is a popular attraction for families with children. The zoo is a 64-acre (26 ha) zoo that features more than two hundred species of animals.
The zoo offers 23 exhibits. Some of the best features include the Elephant Lands habitat, which is the next best thing to seeing elephants in the wild. It has five Asian elephants, feeding stations, a lake, and plenty of overlooks.
Another new attraction is the Red Ape Reserve, which provides unprecedented views of orangutans and gibbons together in an indoor-outdoor enclosure. It is the largest of its kind in North America.
The Oregon Zoo is also home to two endangered species: the western pond turtle and the Amazon Flooded Forest. It is also home to nine other threatened species, including the African lion, polar bear, and western condor. The zoo also works to conserve species in the Pacific Northwest and around the world. More places to also visit by clicking here.
Vietnam Veterans of Oregon Memorial in Washington, D.C.
Located in the midst of the Hoyt Arboretum and Washington Park, the Vietnam Veterans of Oregon Memorial honors Oregonians who served in the Vietnam War. The memorial is dedicated to all 57,000 Oregonians who served. It is also adjacent to the International Rose Test Garden and Oregon Zoo. The memorial is surrounded by large trees and rolling lawns, making it a tranquil and serene place to meditate.
The Vietnam Veterans of Oregon Memorial was dedicated by the Vietnam Veterans of Oregon Memorial Fund in 1987. A group of Oregon veterans spent years fundraising for the memorial. They were inspired by their visit to the national Vietnam Veterans Memorial in 1982.
Access Section of Washington Park master plan update
Using public input, the city of Portland has developed an updated master plan for Washington Park. This plan will guide the park’s future for the next 20 years. The plan’s main focus is improving access to and through the park. It also prioritizes bicycles and pedestrians, along with other activities.
The master plan update was developed after an extensive citywide outreach process and public survey. The majority of participants took an online survey from home. This survey asked for ideas about what kinds of improvements should be made. In addition, the project team created a website for the master plan update. The website allowed for participation in the survey in multiple languages.
Parking
Located in the northwest quadrant of Portland, Washington Park is an opulent 410-acre park that includes an arboretum, zoo, and museum. It is considered the crown jewel of Portland.
Visitors can park in the park for free on Mondays through Sundays, and for $2 per hour on other days. There is also a Park & Ride lot, which is donated by businesses and churches. Overnight parking is permitted at Park & Ride locations.
The city of Portland monitors and manages parking in Washington Park. Some areas are restricted, and some areas have construction going on.
Besides the parking facilities, the park is home to the Portland Children’s Museum, the Oregon Zoo, and the International Rose Test Garden. It also has an authentic Japanese garden and archery range. The park has a free shuttle that runs daily, year-round. Continue reading about Oregon Zoo.
Driving directions from Rise and Shine Cleaning Services to Washington Park
Driving directions from Washington Park to Oregon Zoo
