Portland, the largest city in Oregon is considered to be one of the best places to reside in the United States. The city straddles the Willamette River and is alive with theater, entertainment and numerous cultural happenings. The rains in Portland nourish the city’s impressive gardens making them attractions for people all over the country. The greens in Portland range from a classical chinese garden to colorful plantings of roses and rhododendrons. One of the most visited places in Portland is the Washington Park. In this post, we take a look at the park and see what it has and whether it’s a great place to visit.
Located at 4033 Southwest Canyon Road, Portland, Oregon, Washington Park is a favorite for many tourists. The 410-acre park was purchased by the city in 1871 and it houses a zoo, museums and the famed International Rose Test Garden. In the mild climate of Portland, roses continue to flower into autumn. Visitors can even catch a rose festival in May and June.
Portland Japanese Garden
The park houses the Portland Japanese Garden, one of the largest outside of Japan. According to Nobuo Matsunaga, former Ambassador of Japan to the United States, the garden is ‘the most beautiful and authentic Japanese garden in the world outside of Japan.” Designed in 1963, the garden provides a tranquil urban oasis for both the locals and tourists. It spans over 12 acres of land and has 8 different gardens within. It includes an authentic Japanese Tea House, meandering streams and a great view of Mt Hood.
Oregon Zoo
Also enclosed in the park is the Oregon Zoo located at 4001 SW Canyon Road, Portland, OR 97221-9704. Formerly known as the Portland zoo and then the Washington Park zoo, the Oregon zoo spans over 64 acres of land. The zoo is community funded and is home to 2,585 individual animals represented in 215 species. Also, the zoo houses 15 endangered species and 7 threatened species. Animals like American beavers, African crocodiles, and Asian elephants can be found at the zoo.
Hoyt Arboretum
Asides the zoo and garden, the Hoyt Arboretum can also be found at Washington Park. The Arboretum encompasses 190 ridge-top acres and 12 miles of hiking trails. It’s home to 2,300 species of trees and shrubs from about six continents. If you’re around downtown Portland, you’re mere minutes away from the arboretum.
World’s Forestry Center
The World’s Forestry Center can also be found at Washington Park. It was established in 1966 as a non-profit educational institution. The Center focuses on educating people about sustainability and building sustainability trends in the world.
Portland Children’s Museum
Although the Portland Children’s Museum was a great place for kids to visit, the pandemic has affected the running of the Museum. The Board of Directors announced on March 25, 2021 that the board would be closing on June 30, 2021.
Washington Park is situated at the west end of the city center. To move around the Park, the Explore Washington Park shuttle is available for use. It’s a great one-stop location for fun because one can have varied experiences. Of the numerous things to do and experiences to have, there’d definitely be one that appeals to you.
Be sure to check out the websites of each of these places to get accurate information on their exact status. A number of things have been limited to ensure compliance with social distancing guidelines.
Have you ever been to Washington State Park? What was the experience like? Share with us in the comments below so we can all know more perks and things to watch out for.
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