Tag: Shotwell

Portland Parks Can Help You Live Happier and Healthier

Posted on by Living Room Realty

Ever wonder what makes Portland great? What explains both why residents stay living in the city and why people from around the country and world move here to call it home? A few weeks ago, Scientific Reports published research led by the University of Exeter that found people who spend at least 120 minutes in nature a week are significantly more likely to report good health and higher psychological well being than those who don’t visit nature at all. The unique aspect of the research was the finding that spending less than 120 minutes did not lead to any of the benefits. Therefore, people would be best served if there were a plethora of natural areas they could explore both actively and passively throughout the week. Luckily, if green spaces are what you are looking for then Portland is the place for you.

 

Our City of Roses is home to 279 parks and natural areas that cover more than 10,000 acres of city space. This easily puts Portland in the Top 5 of cities across the United States for places to explore natural beauty. It all began in 1903 with a plan and a landscape architecture firm owned by John and Fred Olmstead. The Olmstead Plan included growth designs for the young city of Portland that featured neighborhood and regional parks, scenic boulevards, and pedestrian pathways bordered by native flora. Because of these design plans from more than 100 years ago, Portland today has more opportunities for its citizens to get that 120 minutes of greenery exposure that researchers say leads to happier and healthier lives. 

 

The majority (5,100 acres) of green space to explore is located in Forest Park. With 70 miles of recreational trails and spots of old growth trees throughout, Forest Park is the country’s largest urban forest. On the other side of that coin, Mill Ends Park, located in downtown, is famously the World’s Smallest Park. With a total area of only 452 square inches, the park is unlikely to help you decompress from city life. However, the nearby Waterfront Park along the Willamette River is exactly the type of green space that can help you rack up those 120 minutes. Perhaps soon our smartwatches and fitbits will not only be encouraging us to step more and elevate our heart rate but to find time in the natural beauty that surrounds us here in one of the best cities on Earth. 

 

Peninsula Park Rose Garden Review

Posted on by Living Room Realty

While it does not have a dedicated dog area and violates the whole purpose of this series, Peninsula Park and Rose Garden is too amazing not to feature. The park is available to your canine companions however they should remain on a leash for as long as you are touring the 16.2-acre park in the heart of Piedmont neighborhood. Created in 1909, Peninsula Park attracts locals and tourists alike with its massive, french-styled Rose Garden. When in full bloom, the colors and majesty of the 5,700+ roses are one of the most beautiful sights in the city.

There are paths and trees to provide shaded spots where people and their pooches can be found lounging around, enjoying the natural beauty. The Rose Garden was designed by Emanuel L. Mische and showcases 75 different rose varieties including the official rose of Portland, Madame Caroline Testout. The rest of the park has a few athletic fields and tennis courts and, at the North edge, there is an informational community center where you can learn about the park’s history. Weekends often feature events and live music. For example, when we visited they had the Regional Tree Climbing Championship- which, as you can imagine, was awesome.

Features

  • One of the most amazing Rose Gardens on Earth!
  • Community & Informational Center
  • Two Tennis Courts
  • Two Softball Fields
  • Local events and live music

Address

700 N Rosa Parks Way Portland, OR 97217

 

Woodstock Dog Park Review

Posted on by Living Room Realty

Located in the heart of Woodstock neighborhood lies one of Portland’s oldest parks. First established by the city in 1921, Woodstock Park is a simple and straightforward green space that borders the local elementary school. There are a few athletic fields and a playground for young humans and an off-leash area for your young pups.

Surrounded by massive deciduous and coniferous trees, this dog park truly shines in the fall when the multitude of colors can be seen. There are no dividers or natural barriers between dog and human areas and, therefore, this park is best for dogs with good recall and watchful owners. Unfortunately, the dog area has lost virtually all signs of grass and when it rains is mainly a place for pups to roll around in the mud. Woodstock Park has served the neighborhood well for nearly 100 years and will continue to do so into the future as a temporary oasis from our city life.

Features

  • Off-leash area
  • Water fountain
  • Tennis Courts
  • Two Softball Fields

Address

SE 47th Ave & Steele St, Portland, OR 97206

Mt. Tabor Dog Park Review

Posted on by Living Room Realty

Mt. Tabor is one of the best-known parks in all of Portland. Hundreds of people visit each day for hiking along the numerous trails of this extinct volcano. Views from the top are legendary because of the 360-degree panorama that makes it possible to see downtown, Mt. Rainer to the North, and Mt. Hood to the East. While the main park allows on-leash dogs, at the most southern end of the park, below Lincoln/Harrison Roads, there is an off-leash dog area that can be accessed from the streets that go through Warner Pacific University.

 

The dog park, like the rest of Tabor, is filled with massive trees that provide plenty of shade even on Portland’s sunniest days. The off-leash area makes for a great launching point to explore the rest of Mt. Tabor Park, but be prepared for a climb! The dog area marks the beginning of the mountain, meaning that your pup will get plenty tired as they sprint up and down the steep incline. While most dogs will love the terrain (and owners will love how tired it makes them), you may want to think twice before bringing older dogs or young puppies. Running full speed down a mountain can put a lot of strain on a dog’s joints and a few wipeouts are entirely possible.

 

All of Mt. Tabor is gorgeous and worthy of exploration, but for those with furry friends, the southern section should be the first stop.

Features

  • Off-leash area leading up a large hill
  • Water fountain
  • Two-stage entry directly to the street
  • Seating
  • Various hiking paths to explore Mt. Tabor

Address

6336 SE Lincoln St, Portland, OR 97215

 

Happy Valley Nature Park Review

Posted on by Living Room Realty

Leslie Knope dreams of this park when she sleeps at night. The whole city should be proud of the thought and attention to detail that went into the design and creation of this park because it includes everything one could imagine. The park is rarely empty and is used by people of all ages and walks of life.  Parking is plentiful with a winding center road that leads to two different lots. However, the right-hand turn into the park is sharp and comes at the end of the hill. Go slow.

 

The three fenced dog areas are located across a bridge and behind a large swath of trees creating both a visual and auditory divide from the dog and human sections of the park. Each of the dog areas has a separate, two-stage entrance which is perfect for allowing a smooth transition for pets and owners into the wild west of dog park world. The different areas are sectioned off for different sized dogs but it is highly dependent on popularity. During early mornings, groups rarely split up but in the afternoons or weekend, there is a clear size differential that should be paid attention. These divides also allow a wonderful way to integrate nervous dogs or young puppies by releasing them into an empty area next to one filled with dogs. Your young pup can smell and meet freely through the fence without the chance of being overwhelmed. Then when dogs get their first burst of nervous energy out you can integrate at whatever speed you feel is best.  

 

While the dog and human areas are both incredible, the real secret is the natural wildlife area. Venture off down one of the lifted walking paths with your dog on-leash and be completely surrounded by stunning sights and hidden secrets. Please stay on the path in this area, while the ground can look inviting during the summer months it is really quite bog-like. The soil is incredibly soft and muddy and even quick trips off path do lots of damage to the environment. It is easy to walk through the trees and find yourself at numerous rest spots that have benches and often look out on small ponds.

 

If you live in Happy Valley or nearby, this is truly a remarkable park that should not be missed.

Features

  • Athletic Areas: Volleyball sand, two tennis courts, a basketball court, three baseball fields, two full soccer fields, and a skate park
  • Three fenced dog areas
  • Two playgrounds
  • Splash area for young children
  • Picnic Tables
  • Resting and exercise areas throughout the park
  • Concerts in the summer

Address

13770 SE Ridgecrest Rd, Happy Valley, OR 97086

 

  

Sellwood Riverfront Dog Park Review

Posted on by Living Room Realty

Are you looking for a beautiful place for your furry friend to run free while you enjoy views of the river? The Sellwood Riverfront Dog Park has you covered. This open grass field surrounded by oak and pine trees is one of the most picturesque parks in the city. While lacking certain dog amenities like a dedicated water spout and smell-proof waste bins, the natural beauty of this Sellwood wonder is the park’s main attraction. After the pooch and you get some energy out, leash up and head for a stroll North along the riverfront on a winding path through the woods. Water-loving canines can find small beaches to splash around in and people often can be found sitting in the sand reading a book.

 

After a long enough walk, you’ll come to the parking lot of Oaks Amusement Park which is partially closed until mid-June, after which it becomes a popular attraction for families throughout the summer. Across the street to the East, there is the larger Sellwood Park and Wildlife Rehabilitation Site. The park has multiple amenities not found at the Riverfront and is more geared to humans playing rather than our pets and is an exclusively on-leash area. For fun times with the pups, Sellwood Riverfront Park should be at the top of your list.  

Features

  • Open field of turf grass for off-leash dogs
  • Boat Dock
  • Seating and Picnic tables along the Willamette River
  • Walking path through woods that leads to Oaks Amusement Park
  • Nearby Sellwood Park has Pool, Athletic Fields, and other human-focused amenities

Address

1221 SE Oaks Park Way, Portland, OR 97202