The Best Parks and Playgrounds In and Around Portland

Portland is a fun, vibrant, and diverse city known for its proximity to all that nature has to offer. When we moved to the Portland, Oregon area we knew we needed proper rain gear so we could take advantage of getting outside in all types of weather. Now that school just got out and we are coming upon summer, here are Portland’s top ten playgrounds to enjoy with your kids (even if it still rains in summer here). There are options for everyone all over this beautiful city!

Verdell Burdine Rutherford Park Playground

16555 SE Mill St, Portland, OR 97233

Verdell Burdine Rutherford Park Playground has a large grass area next to the playground which is good for throwing a frisbee or kicking a soccer ball. The playground has a rubber surface underneath the play structure which is perfect for a crawling baby or newly walking toddler since there are no wood chips to eat or dirt to get muddy in. There are swings for infants and big kids, a few colorful climbing structures, a big slide, and some really bright and whimsical flower sculptures around the playground. There is also a little water feature to play in.

Creston Park Playground

4454 SE Powell Blvd, Portland, OR 97206

Creston Park Playground is a nice shady playground tucked into a forested park in southeast Portland. There are swings for infants, big kids, and two for kids with special needs. There is a big slide and a rubber climbing hill with big orange balls to climb up. The giant red climbing dome is the focal point of the playground!

Harper’s Playground at Arbor Lodge Park

N Delaware Ave &, N Bryant St, Portland, OR 97217

Harper’s Playground at Arbor Lodge Park is one of the most popular playgrounds I’ve been to in Portland. It’s a big playground with lots of features, especially ones that kids with special needs would love. It has infant and big kid swings, as well as an adaptive swing. It has a spinning feature that a kid with a walker eased into. There is a big metal slide up a rubber climbing hill. There is a big sand area with a climbing rock and a couple of other climbing features too. There is also a big round flat swing that a kid who used a wheelchair slid onto. 

Gabriel Park Playground

4048 S Vermont St, Portland, OR 97219

Gabriel Park Playground just reopened in 2022 and it is one of the largest and most popular Portland playgrounds already. It is mostly fenced in and has a water play area (not splash pad), plenty of climbing features, a toddler metal slide, a two-story metal slide for bigger kids, swings, and a big 4-person rocking seesaw. 

Spring Garden Park Playground

3332 SW Spring Garden St, Portland, OR 97219

Spring Garden Park Playground is fun for all ages. It has infant swings and a big round flat swing, a little toddler play structure, rocks to climb that lead to a big double metal slide, and plenty of big kid climbing structures. It has a splash pad too!

Somerset West Playground

18300 NW Park View Blvd, Portland, OR 97229

Somerset West Playground is a perfect spot for a play date. It is wide open for you to be able to keep your eye on multiple kids at the same time. It has a fun enclosed green slide, polished logs to climb, giant stepping stones, infant swings, a big, flat, round 2-person swing, a big multi-kid spinning feature, and a short, paved loop around the park. 

Roger Tilbury Memorial Park Playground

965 NW 93rd Ave, Portland, OR 97229

Roger Tilbury Memorial Park Playground is the best of both worlds as it has a nature play area and the traditional playground structure. The nature play area is set in a beautiful and shady forest. 

Westmoreland Park Nature Playground

7530 SE 22nd Ave, Portland, OR 97202

Westmoreland Park Nature Playground has a huge sand play area with a water pump and toys left for all to play with. There are stacked stone climbing features that look like real rocks and plenty of logs to climb and jump off of. There is a short and wide metal slide and a goose pond next to it. 

Marshall Park Playground

9498 SW 18th Pl, Portland, OR 97219

Marshall Park Playground is unique because you hike a short distance into the forest to get there, but are then rewarded with a tranquil playground spot next to the creek. Bring some water play toys, swimsuits, and water shoes in warm weather to wade and splash in the creek after the playground. 

Pirate Park Playground

Near NW Energia Street between NW Brandberry Drive and, NW Graf St, Portland, OR 97229

Pirate Park is a fun playground for imaginative play. Pretend to captain a pirate ship and yell “Ahoy Matey!” There are also lots of things to climb, slides and swings. There is a grass area next to the playground for a picnic and it is along the Rock Creek Trail and Waterhouse Trail for a paved walking/jogging trail after the playground. 

What are your favorite Portland area spots? Have you visited any of the playgrounds on the list? Be sure to tag us on Instagram with any of your family's adventures @gethappyly.

Interested in other fun activities that will get the kids outside? Read up on our Building a Family Garden article or learn some new Sidewalk Chalk Games! Now that it's starting to warm up, there are also a number of other activities to do with kids other than the traditional park days. Check out our How to Hike with Kids Guide and enjoy a fun day out with the family.

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