It was spring break this past week, and we didn’t have a lot of big plans. It’s Oregon, so weather was a bit hit or miss. So, we took advantage of the sunny bits to explore outside places we either had never been to or hadn’t been to in a while. First up was Spring Garden park.
Spring Garden is a newish park built in the last year or so and is located near Multnomah Village. It’s lovely! It has a large grassy hill, picnic tables (one of which is covered), and fun play equipment. There are a couple rope climbing structures, logs and rocks to climb on, small slides, swings- including an accessible one, structures that make music, one of those stick house things you can go inside, a climbing structure complete with telescopes, and other small pieces of equipment. All of the area, with the exception of the area surrounding the ropes, is either pavement or padded, meaning a majority of it is accessible for strollers, wheelchairs, walkers, or other mobility devices. I love that!
One of the features Chicken and Nugget are most excited about was one we didn’t get to use yet. They have an area that appears to involve water. It hasn’t been turned out yet for the season so I don’t know exactly what it will look like, but it looks like it will have a small “stream” and possible a small area of low reaching fountains. A great way to cool off in the summer!
Chicken and Nugget loved this park and we wound up going twice over the course of the week. It’s pretty, the elements are well spaced out, there are places for eating, and it just feels peaceful.
Note to the wise- map programs take you to the Spring Garden address, which is at the bottom of a rather large hill. There is a paved path as well as bark chip cut throughs, but it’s still a bit of a trek. Much to my chagrin, when we arrived at the top of the hill, there is street parking up at the top that is right next to the play structure! Waaayyyy easier access, especially with strollers or multiple littles. Since the kids really enjoyed that park, we went back a few days later. I followed Spring Garden road around and discovered that the park level parking is on Dolph Court. There! I just saved you a climb!
What it is: pretty, relaxing, accessible, nice mix of structures, some sort of water feature(!), one covered picnic table
What it’s not: shaded on a hot, sunny day
Info about the park and it’s location can be found here: https://www.portlandoregon.gov/parks/67420
Adventures with Chicken and Nugget 