Portland Parks
Portland is proud of its parks and its legacy of preserving 
open spaces. Parks and greenspace planning date back to John Charles Olmsted’s 1903 Report to the Portland Park Board. In 1995, voters in the Portland metropolitan region passed a regional bond measure to acquire valuable natural areas for fish, wildlife, and people. Ten years later, more than 8,100 acres of ecologically valuable natural areas had been purchased and permanently protected from development. Portland is one of only three cities in the contiguous U.S. with extinct volcanoes within its boundaries.
Mount Tabor Park is known for its scenic views and historic reservoirs. Forest Park is among the largest wilderness parks within city limits in the United States, covering more than 5,000 acres. Portland is also home to Mill Ends Park, the world’s smallest park (a two-foot-diameter circle). Washington Park is just west of downtown, and is home to the Oregon Zoo, the Portland Japanese Garden, and the International Rose Test Garden. Nearby is Council Crest Park, the highest point in Portland.
Tom McCall Waterfront Park runs along the west bank of the Willamette for the length of downtown. The 37-acre park was built in 1974 after Harbor Drive was removed and now hosts large events throughout the year. Portland’s downtown features two groups of contiguous city blocks dedicated for park space: the North and South Park Blocks.
Tryon Creek State Natural Area is one of three Oregon State Parks in Portland and the most popular; its creek has a run of steelhead. The other two State Parks are Willamette Stone State Heritage Site located in the West Hills and the Government Island State Recreation Area located in the Columbia River near Portland International Airport.
The Beverly Cleary Sculpture Garden, which immortalizes three of the award-winning author’s best known characters with bronze sculptures, quote plaques, and a fountain, is located in Grant Park, just a few blocks from the real Klickitat Street of “Henry Huggins” fame.
Leach Botanical Garden is a 15.6-acre botanical garden in the Southeast section of the city, featuring indigenous plants of the Pacific Northwest.
Crystal Springs Rhododendron Garden is a 9.49-acre garden in the southeastern city adjoining Reed College, featuring more than 2,500 rhododendron, azalea, and companion plants.
Hoyt Arboretum is a popular Portland open space, covering 185 acres of forested ridge-top about two miles west of downtown. It is home to a collection of trees representing more than 1,100 species gathered from around the world.
Audubon Society of Portland, founded 1903, is one of the largest and oldest Audubon chapters in the country with over 10,000 members.