Portland’s dedication to play for all is producing creative, accessible playgrounds for kids of all ages and abilities.
With updates by Cassandra Johnson
It all began in 2009 when two Portland parents, G Cody QJ and April Goldberg, took matters into their own hands in an effort to create a play space where their then-five-year old daughter, Harper, could play without her walker getting stuck in wood chips. Working hand-in-hand with Portland Parks & Recreation, and their new foundation, Harper’s Playground, the Goldbergs and the city set new standards for play in Portland neighborhoods.
In 2012, the city unveiled Arbor Lodge Park’s inclusive playground, aptly named Harper’s Playground. Since then, PP&R has been working with partnerships to create and renovate playgrounds that go above and beyond for all kids of all abilities and all ages.
What makes a playground inclusive?
Designed to be enjoyed by children and caregivers of all abilities, inclusive playgrounds eliminate barriers to play. Synthetic, accessible surfaces take the place of bark chips, curbs are minimal, and structures, slides, sandboxes and features are easily accessed. In addition to physical play, inclusive playgrounds feature sensory elements to engage and nurture, including interactive music installations and tactile elements.
What’s the difference between inclusive and accessible?
Often, the terms accessible playground and inclusive playground are used interchangeably; however, there is a difference. An accessible playground is one that allows children of all capabilities physical access to the play equipment, such as a paved pathway and ramp access to the play structures. An inclusive park is one that not only provides accessibility, but also promotes interaction with the equipment in a sensory-friendly and engaging way and encourages connection with other playground users, making it especially great for children with sensory processing disorder and autism.
Many playgrounds in the Portland metro area are being retrofitted with adaptive and inclusive elements, while others are undergoing full renovations to meet the design standards of inclusivity. Here are our favorites.
Playground Type Key
⇔ Designated inclusive play area
⇪ Improved accessibility including synthetic surfacing instead of bark chips, adaptive swings or slides, and ramp accessible features.
North Portland
⇪ Dawson Park
In 2013, Dawson Park underwent an improvement project, delivering synthetic surfacing for universal access as well as an easy-access splash pad to the popular neighborhood spot. The play area features two accessible swings, merry-go-round and see-saw, in addition to balance and coordination components. Pro tip: Plenty of street parking, but be aware of the no parking zones adjacent to the park itself.
⇔ Harper’s Playground at Arbor Lodge
The park that started it all. The entire play area is universally accessible, with highlights including musical interactive instruments, climbing walls, adaptive swings and ramp-accessed double slides. It also has one of the coolest sand and water play areas in town, echoing a waterfall where kiddos can build and create dams, castles and moats. Pro tip: If you’re headed somewhere other than home after visiting the park, bring a change of clothes and shoes as the sand/water play area is a perennial favorite.
Northeast / East Portland
⇔ Gateway Discovery Park
With its grand opening in 2018, Gateway Discovery Park has plenty of room to romp, roll and enjoy. Fully stocked for all things play, it includes ramp-accessed double slides, smooth entry sand play area, musical sensory interaction, adaptive swing, including a parent swing with attached child seat and a merry-go-round. An accessible splash pad compliments the rolling astroturf hills, climbing features and interactive design. Pro tip: The trees are still young and the park lacks shade, so plan accordingly for sun exposure.
⇪ Kʰunamokwst Park
Opened in 2015, Kʰunamokwst (pronounced KAHN-ah-mockst) is a Chinook wawa name meaning “together.” Kʰunamokwst Park is the first PP&R park to enjoy a name indigenous to the land it sits on. The park features an accessible synthetic turf surface, adaptive swing and ramps into the play areas. The splash pad resembles a river, with accessible water sprays. When the kids need a break, follow the smooth, paved path to the skate park to watch the action. Pro tip: The tale of the mouse and the fir tree is portrayed in the giant fir cone in the middle of the play area.
⇪ Luuwit View Park
Before you’re even out of the car, the kids will be clamoring to explore this wide open, futuristic-looking park. Formerly known as Beech Park, Luuwit View’s inclusive amenities feature smart, synthetic surfacing, smooth paved paths and a rubberized surface to an accessible merry-go-round and adaptive swing. Inspiring sensory play features musical instrument installations, ramp-accessible slides and nature paths through the expansive property. Pro tip: Don’t miss the artistic mosaic sundial atop the small hill — a paved trail leads to the vista point.
Southeast
⇔ Verdell Burdine Rutherford Park
The new and improved Verdell Burdine Rutherford Park Playground features a synthetic play surface, adaptive swing, and wheelchair access. Children can play on balance and climbing structures, and a slide is built into the topography of the park.
⇪ Lents Park
Nestled in southeast, Lents Park received a facelift in 2017. The brightly-colored synthetic play surface meanders throughout the playground, leading to accessible slides, interactive musical installations, an adaptive swing and sensory skill-building components. The large, diverse park is also home to the Portland Pickles collegiate baseball team. Pro tip: For such a well-used park, bathrooms are limited. It’s smart to pack some TP for the restroom “just in case.”
⇪ Ventura Park
Renovated in 2017, the updates at Ventura Park playground make it a favorite for adults and kids alike. In addition to synthetic surfacing, a large group swing and inclusive merry-go-round, the design includes interactive musical play and a water play area, complete with dams. It even boasts an astroturf hill, perfect for simulating sledding, and plenty of open space to set up basecamp for the day. Pro tip: Ventura Park has plenty of shade and is a good option for sun-scorching days.
⇪ Westmoreland Park
While not as extensive as other inclusive playground areas, Westmoreland is not to be left off our list. The nature play park features an accessible large slide and ramp access to the play areas. A large sand area allows for sensory and tactile experience. Pro tip: The play area surfacing is bark chips, but the paved path allows for maneuvering and access to the nature trail, bridges and model boat pond.
Northwest
⇔ Couch Park
Couch Park features safety and synthetic surfacing, adaptive and group swings, a ramp-accessible play fort and more. There’s also a plaza and Portland Loo.
Southwest / West
⇔ Gabriel Park
Gabriel Park is now home to an inclusive playground. Easily accessible by public transit, Gabriel Park is an inclusive destination for the entire Portland Metro area. The new park includes an in ground trampoline you can wheel or walk onto!
⇪ Rose Garden Children’s Playground (Washington Park)
Nestled in Washington Park, the extensive playground features universal access to the maze of ramps, castle-esque play structure, slides, seated rockers, bridges and more.
⇔ Hidden Creek Park West in Hillsboro
Hidden Creek Park West playground in Hillsboro opened to the public in August, 2023, and was immediately a huge hit with families. The 50-foot-long friendly forest giant will delight kids of all ages and abilities. This location includes all-gender restrooms, inclusive play elements, and stable surfacing areas. There’s also lots of shade in the park, perfect for hot summer days! See our tour on Instagram.
⇔ The Neighborhood Church Playground
Opening in April 2024, this Tualatin park is an inclusive and accessible park for the community. (While it’s part of the Neighborhood Church, park goers don’t have to attend the church to utilize the playground.) The park features light and springy turf perfect for crawlers and those with walkers and wheelchairs. There’s even a special swing set for wheelchairs! And kids love the climbing structure. Unlike many traditional climbing structures, the one at this park didn’t use a ladder or steps. Instead, it had a heavy-duty, yet bouncy, rubber material that could be climbed.
⇔ Anna & Abby’s Yard
This playground in Forest Grove combines the delights of a natural environment with the accessibility needed for different abilities. Designed with a nature-themed, fairy-tale aesthetic, children are transported into a forest wonderland, complete with large wooden houses, a carved chair fit for a giant, a “secret” library and a sleeping dragon.
⇔ Imagination Station
Redesigned for accessibility and inclusivity after a fire burned down the original structure, this Troutdale playground is full of vibrant colors, enchanting pathways, painted nature scenes and turrets. Children can easily get lost in their explorations of this castle-like playground.
Vancouver
⇔ Esther Short Park
Esther Short is a hub for many Vancouver events, and the playground includes a double-slide and play hill, zero entry merry go all, music garden, and more.
⇔ Marshall Park
Chelsea Anderson Memorial Play Station (CHAMPS) at Marshall Park is the latest Vancouver playground to undergo an inclusive transformation. It opened in 2023, and features a fire station theme.
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