Laurelhurst Park

Nestled between Hawthorne and Belmont Streets in Southeast Portland, Laurelhurst Park has stood the test of time. While condos, coffee shops, and movie theaters have sprung in the bordering neighborhoods, the park itself has remained timeless and beautiful.

Laurelhurst Park has everything you would expect from a modern urban park, but with the feel of the pre-automotive era. You can take a long leisurely walk as you gaze above the magnificent trees towering above you.

If you are a dog lover, the off-leash area is the perfect place for your four-legged friend to get a little exercise. However, unlike many other off-leash zones, it is not fenced off so make sure to keep an eye on your pooch if they tend to wander.

There are benches and picnic areas which make Laurelhurst a destination for those looking to soak up nice weather. Especially during Portland’s hotter days, the trees make nice shade to have picnic and escape the heat.

For kids and families, the main feature of the park is the pond. In the process of being rehabilitated, the pond is home to many families of geese and ducks. In early summer, you can bring your kids and see the ducklings learning life lessons from their mother.

Laurelhurst also has options for people with an active lifestyle. In the southeast corner of the park are tennis and basketball courts. While there is plenty of room, the area is generally busy during the afternoons and weekends. For tennis, try during the mid-week if you do not want a long wait to play.

According to the park’s website, Laurelhurst Park is “is a perfect example of the City Beautiful Movement in landscaping. In 1919, the park was named the most beautiful park on the west coast by the Pacific Coast Parks Association.” With its turn-of-the-century appeal, you can imagine people walking along the same paths years before the automobile took to the road and the airplane to the skies.

HelloPortland Tip: Interested in seeing stately homes? The surrounding Laurelhurst neighborhood, located north of the park, has some of the nicest homes in all of Portland.

- by William Crane, Portland Reporter for HelloMetro  (Click to leave a message)

William Crane

William Crane is an accomplished print and online journalist (http://www.william-crane.com) His work covers a variety of topics including features, local community news, sports, music, and political/social issues. Graduating from Seattle University with a B.A. in Journalism, William's writing has appeared in a variety of different publications including the Stranger, Capitol Hill Times, the Skanner, Backfire Magazine, and the Internationalist.