Colonel Summers Park

Portland has many wonderful parks to choose from for a sunny day, but it is hard to find one with more activities and green space than Colonel Summers Park. The park has an inclusive feel with many groups and activities taking advantage of its multiple uses.

Whether it is just a lazy day in the sun or a fast-paced game of pickup basketball, Colonel Summers Park is an inviting green space for all. With its location close to the best of southeast Portland, it is the perfect park stop for visitors or city residents.

Located just west of the Belmont shopping district, the park is named after Colonel Owen Summers, who was a decorated Oregon war hero during the Spanish-American war in 1898. The surrounding Buckman neighborhood is home to many beautiful and elegant Victorian homes making it a nice place to take stroll after viewing the park.

With plenty of room, you will always be able to find a spot to call your own in the park. It can be quite busy in the afternoon during summer days, but despite the many people, it still has a serene and calm feel to it.

Members of the Portland cycling community often gather at the park and they can be seen riding around and having fun and creative bike-related events, including bike jousting.

One of the great features of the park is the community garden. By contacting the Parks department, you can get more information on how to join the garden. For visitors, it is nice to walk around and see all the wonderful garden varieties carefully tended to by Portland’s green thumbs.

For people that are seeking a more active lifestyle, the basketball court is always busy and a good place for pick-up basketball in southeast Portland. The city is basketball-crazed and has many courts around town for the amateurs wanting to play, but Colonel Summers offers a convenient location for a quick game.

Whether it is being part of their community garden, shooting hoops, playing tennis, or just lounging in the sun, this park is a landmark of relaxation in southeast Portland.

HelloPortland Tip: Want a sugary treat? Just east of the park on 30th and Belmont is Saint Cupcake, a local favorite for home-made cupcakes.

- 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.