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Parks and Recreation

A red, white and blue hot air balloon rises in the morning sky just above a crowd of people
Culture
Save the Dates: 21 big events coming to Portland in 2025
Whew, 2025 is shaping up to be an eventful year in Rose City.
June 23, 2025 04:24 PM
 · 
Ben McBee
Two researchers look and point at a small container of water next to a river on a sunny day.
Travel and Outdoors
New grant funds research to study toxic algae blooms in Oregon waterways
Scientists say the frequency, duration, and intensity of algae blooms in Northwest waterways are increasing each year.
July 17, 2023
 · 
Cambrie Juarez
People walk their bicycles on a paved street with food booths.
Travel and Outdoors
Portland Sunday Parkways offers car-free fun this summer
Walk, bike, or roll along designated routes that are closed to traffic during special events taking place through August.
June 21, 2023
 · 
Cambrie Juarez
An illustrative rendering shows a future community park from an aerial map perspective.
Travel and Outdoors
City of Portland picks local construction company for Mill Park project
The project will transform the 6-acre grassy space into a community centerpiece and resource for neighboring Mill Park Elementary School.
June 9, 2023
 · 
Cambrie Juarez
A sign in Southeast Portland reads Creston Park
City
Portland powerslides its way toward building a new skatepark in Creston Park
Construction is slated to start mid-2025 with a grand opening planned for spring of 2026.
May 19, 2023
 · 
Ben McBee
Wildwood Trail, Near Lower Macleay Trail, Forest Park, Portland,
Travel and Outdoors
Friends of Marquam Nature Park merges with Forest Park Conservancy
The move will allocate additional resources to the land that was largely maintained by volunteers.
May 17, 2023
 · 
Ben McBee
Light purple lupine flowers grow alongside a hiking trail at Mosier Plateau.
Travel and Outdoors
Hike of the Month: Mosier Plateau
Although the window to appreciate this nature preserve’s wildflowers is brief, hikers are also rewarded with vistas of a waterfall and the mighty Columbia River Gorge.
May 15, 2023
 · 
Ben McBee
Two photos in a collage. The left photo shows a vehicle charging at a Rivian Waypoints Level 2 charger; the right photo shows a closeup of a charger.
Travel and Outdoors
Plug in your electric vehicle, unplug your mind at state parks near Portland
Level 2 electric vehicle chargers were recently installed at seven state parks across Oregon as part of a pilot project encouraging eco-friendly tourism.
May 8, 2023
 · 
Cambrie Juarez
portland heritage trees.jpeg
Parks and Recreation
Portland’s official Heritage Trees connect past to present
More than 300 trees across the city are protected by law and serve as living landmarks.
March 31, 2023
 · 
Cambrie Juarez
A light pole at a park in fall.
Parks and Recreation
Commissioner Ryan plots course to hasten the replacement of 243 light poles in Portland parks
Many people have expressed worries over the duration of time that parks will be darker while they await replacement light fixtures.
March 29, 2023
 · 
Cambrie Juarez
A digital rendering of a future park expansion showing areas for sporting fields, parking, and public gathering areas.
Parks and Recreation
Work begins on Southeast Portland’s Parklane Park expansion
The existing 5-acre park will grow to 25 acres and feature several new amenities.
March 27, 2023
 · 
Cambrie Juarez
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Sun shines on the front of Portland City Hall, where the local government operates.
City
Here’s how the 2024 general election will change Portland city government
Portlanders have big choices ahead of them as the city prepares to enter 2025 with a new mayor and 12 City Council members.
October 25, 2024
 · 
Cambrie Juarez
People sitting in a dramatically lit wooden booth eat small plates and drink cocktails.
Food
Where to grab a late-night meal in Portland
Sometimes you get the munchies late at night, so we’re helping out with a list of spots that stay open late around the Rose City.
October 24, 2024
 · 
Staff
A multi wall mural shows a Sandworm from the Beetlejuice movie and other pumpkin inspired paintings.
City
This is not a trick: New Central Eastside murals are a treat ahead of Halloween
The space will double as an edible garden and event space.
October 24, 2024
 · 
Ben McBee
An animator's hand poses a miniature stop-motion figurine of a smiling Sasquatch wearing a suit and bowtie.
Business
LAIKA will help Portland State University develop new animation program
The Oscar-winning studio will also fund scholarships for six students.
October 23, 2024
 · 
Cambrie Juarez
A food worker passes food to an outstretched hand at a window.
Play
Pitch in with these volunteer opportunities in Portland
This list of volunteer opportunities around Rose City includes everything from fostering a pet to mentoring at-risk youth.
October 23, 2024
 · 
Cambrie Juarez
Mount St. Helens rises over a hazy horizon with a light dusting of snow on its peak. In front you can see the blue stripe of the Columbia River and falls colors that blanket Portland. The Fremont Bridge's white arch peeks just above the evergreen trees in the foreground.
Travel and Outdoors
Hike of the Month: Council Crest Park
Get your steps in as you climb to one of Portland’s tallest points, which offers vistas of five Cascade peaks as well as an off-leash dog park.
October 22, 2024
 · 
Ben McBee
Two alien figurines work on a grotesque operating table where guests at the Freakybuttrue Peculiarium can stick their head for a pretend picture.
Culture
Try on these Portland-inspired Halloween costumes
Short on time and creativity? We’ve got you covered with some costume ideas that will help keep Portland weird.
October 22, 2024
 · 
Cambrie Juarez
No Ivy Day Portland.png
Events
Help rid Portland’s natural areas of invasive vines on No Ivy Day
Volunteer your time at one of 17 No Ivy Day events across the metro area.
October 21, 2024
 · 
Cambrie Juarez
A squirrel with gray-brown fur and a white belly sits on the ground surrounded by fallen leaves while chewing on a piece of food.
Travel and Outdoors
Squirrel away these facts about Portland-area squirrels
These abundant critters are busy in the fall — but can you tell one species apart from the next?
October 21, 2024
 · 
Cambrie Juarez
A model shows Lawrence Halprin's design for a potential Pioneer Courthouse Square, involving rounded archies and lots of glass and trees.
City
Exploring the Pioneer Courthouse Square designs that never came to be
In an alternate universe, Portland’s Living Room could look very different.
October 18, 2024
 · 
Ben McBee