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52º | Showers | 56% chance of rain | Sunrise 7:33 a.m. | Sunset 5:15 p.m.
 

New Errol Heights Park elevates accessibility

Errol Heights Park Project finishes, bringing inclusivity and improved access to nature in SE Portland
A child in a pink jacket and beanie navigates a rope and beam feature at the new playground in Errol Heights Park. An adult waits nearby to catch the child if they fall.
The new Errol Heights Park was funded by $12 million in system development charges. | Photo via Portland Parks & Rec
Portland Parks & Recreation has substantially completed its Errol Heights Park Project — the culmination of nearly 20 years of imagining what the 16-acre site in the Brentwood-Darlington neighborhood could mean for residents of Southeast Portland.

Construction on recreation facilities and improvements to the natural area, which includes riparian habitat and wetlands, began in April 2022, although the area’s master plan was first drafted in 2005. Accessibility was always an emphasis — the ADA-accessible, elevated boardwalk leads down to paved trails where visitors can interact with wildlife viewpoints and the science education platform. Similarly, the inclusive play area in the park’s upper plateau has features for all skills and abilities.

“I was at the new Errol Heights Park recently,” said former Portland Parks Board member Ian Jaquiss, who uses a wheelchair. “I was able to easily navigate all parts of it. And, I have to say, that is the most accessible, beautiful park I have seen.”

A skater waits with their skateboard resting on and out from the lip of a concrete bowl at the skate area in Error Heights Park.

Additional amenities include a skate area, splash pad, 11 picnic tables, and a Portland Loo.

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Photo by Portland Parks & Rec

More than 450 trees and native plants were also put in the ground; their beauty is reflected in the steel/bronze sculpture created by artists Terresa White and Mike Suri.

In 1999, Barbara Schnabel, widow of George Schnabel, sold her home and the 2.32 acres that the current Errol Heights Park site surrounds. Her husband had spent more than 30 years building their house and workshop with salvaged timber from Portland’s old warehouses, a 50-ft garden hose as a level, and only the knowledge from a high school drafting class. In the ponds he dug, he grew watercress, which he sold to cover his property taxes (just $18 a year). Today, their dream of a sanctuary for people and animals is realized.

A map of Portland's Errol Heights Park shows a wetland area with an upper area to the north, where most of the amenities like a playground and splash pad are located. On the western edge there is a basketball court.

The Springwater Corridor is only a half-mile southwest of Errol Heights Park.

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Map via Portland Parks & Rec

Some minor finishing touches to the basketball court and playground tower are ongoing, and there are some weather related closures in place, but a grand opening event will be held during the warmer weather of spring.
 
Events
Wednesday, Jan. 31
  • Portland Trail Blazers vs. Milwaukee Bucks | Wednesday, Jan. 31 | 7 p.m. | Moda Center, 1 N. Center Court St., Portland | $62+ | Don’t wait to secure your seats to see Damian Lillard’s return to Rip City — although getting last-second tickets would be pretty on-brand.
  • Sohla El-Waylly in Conversation With Gregory Gourdet | Wednesday, Jan. 31 | 7 p.m. | Powell’s City of Books, 1005 W. Burnside St., Portland | Free | Join a discussion between the author of “Start Here: Instructions for Becoming a Better Cook” and Kann’s star chef.
Thursday, Feb. 1
  • Cold War Kids - 20 Years Tour | Thursday, Feb. 1 | 8:30 p.m. | Crystal Ballroom, 1332 W. Burnside St., Portland | $35 | If this week has hung you up to dry, go see this indie rock band behind hits like “First” and “Love is Mystical.”
Friday, Feb. 2
  • Vintage Flea Market | Friday, Feb. 2-Saturday, Feb. 3 | Times vary | The Valiant Ballroom + Most Everything Vintage, 109 W. Ninth St. + 805 Washington St., Vancouver | Free | Enjoy a cupcake fundraiser (Friday night) for the local high school’s culinary program and shop for clothing, furniture, jewelry, home decor, and more.
  • The Divergent Gift: Unboxing Autism | Friday, Feb. 2 | 6-8 p.m. | PAC Little Theatre, PCC Sylvania Campus, 12000 SW 49th Ave., Portland + Online | Free | Get a sneak peek at the upcoming documentary which “aims to deepen positive autistic identity” — and help raise funds for the next phase of production — at this night of discussion and community.
Saturday, Feb. 3
  • Nato Green: An Evening of the Most Political Comedy | Saturday, Feb. 3 | 8-10 p.m. | The Siren Theater, 3913 N. Mississippi Ave., Portland | $20 | Self-described as “the country’s only semi-functional hybrid of comedian, writer, and union organizer,” this performer’s punchlines will have you rolling.
Events calendar here
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News Notes
Real Estate
  • Sensory gardens — natural spaces that you experience through sight, smell, sound, taste, and touch — are trending on TikTok, and they’re a selling point for some Portland homes. While research says they can enhance your well-being, you better have a healthy budget if you’re interested in these listings. (The Oregonian/Oregon Live)
Sports
  • Portland Diamond Project — the group working to bring an MLB franchise to the city — made a statement confirming its negotiations to acquire the RedTail Golf Center. Early reports put their offer for the 164-acre site adjacent to Washington Square Mall and Interstate 217 in the ballpark of $50 million. (Portland Business Journal)
Concert
  • Ooh, barracuda. After a five-year hiatus, legendary rock band Heart has announced it will hit the road on the Royal Flush Tour 2024. “These Dreams” will come true when they stop by Portland on Sept. 17 — tickets go on sale to the general public Friday, Feb. 2 at 10 a.m.
Portlander
  • Meet Shyla Spicer, the Portland State University grad and member of the Yakama Nation who’s the new president + CEO of the Native Arts and Culture Foundation. She aims to make the city a hub for Native expression; keep an eye out for upcoming tours of the organization’s new Center for Native Arts and Cultures in Southeast Portland. (The Oregonian/Oregon Live)
Edu
  • Ninth graders are invited to apply (by May 3) to Portland Parks & Recreation’s Early Adventures in Golf for a Lifetime of Enjoyment program. No prior experience with the game is required, but EAGLE does offer the opportunity to earn an hourly wage as a caddie while opening the door to scholarships.
Shop
Finance
  • One card, all the perks. Unlimited 1.5% cash back, a sign-up bonus worth hundreds, and 0% intro APR for 15 months (all with no annual fee) almost sounds too good to be true — but this card has it all.*
 
Asked

❤️ Our readers’ local love stories

Our readers’ local love stories
The Portland skyline and Mount Hood are bathed in the orange glow of sunset. Map pin icons with green hearts are sprinkled across different locations in the photo.
Love is all around you. | Graphic by 6AM City
Have you found love in Portland? We want to know about it.

Every Valentine’s Day we create a map of places where our readers have made memories around the area. We want to hear about every kind of relationship. Tell us about your meet cute stories, getting advice from a parent, learning to love yourself... we love love stories in all their forms. (But do keep it PG, please.)

Add a story to our map below by clicking the green “add point” button. You have until Friday, Feb. 9 to submit for a chance to be featured in our interactive map (and newsletter).

We’ll go first with a story of our own. City Editor Ben still remembers the moment he fell in love with Portland. It was May, the sun was out, and he took a walk on the Morrison Bridge with Washed Out’s “Feel It All Around” playing in his headphones. A visit to Kachka and then Darcelle XV Showplace sealed the deal; he moved to the Rose City three months later.
Tell your love story
The Buy

The Buy 1.31.24 (Affiliate + Six & Main)
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The Wrap
 

Today’s edition by:
Ben
From the editor
The wait is almost over for Wonderwood Mini-Golf. Local artist Mike Bennett’s nine-hole course in St. Johns opens to the public this Saturday, Feb. 3 and will feature his signature cartoon cutout designs. Kids ages 4 and under are free, while general admission will be $10. Here’s a map, so you don’t get lost in “Sewer Shenanigans” — that’s hole No. 7.
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