Jamison Square

Jamison Square is a one-acre pocket park located in Portland's Pearl District, situated between NW Johnson and Kearney Streets. Opened in 2002, it was the first of three planned parks developed as part of the River District urban renewal project.

The park's focal point is an interactive fountain designed to simulate a shallow tidal pool. Water cascades from stone joints into low pools, with the fountain continuously recirculating treated water using energy-efficient pumps and motors. This feature has made the park particularly popular with families and children, who use it as a wading pool during warm weather.

Jamison Square incorporates several art installations. Four 30-foot-tall sculptures known as the Tikitotemoniki Totems, created by artist Kenny Scharf, cover the streetcar catenary poles along the park's edge. Another notable piece is Contact II, a 1972 metal sculpture by Alexander Liberman, donated to the city in 2002. In 2006, a red granite sculpture modeled after a brown bear was added, created by artist Mauricio Saldaña and commissioned by the Portland Pearl Rotary Club.

The park's design, by PWP Landscape Architecture, includes a wooden boardwalk made of ipê wood. This boardwalk is intended to eventually connect to the Willamette River, linking Jamison Square with other nearby parks.

Named in honor of William Jamison, a gallery owner who played a pivotal role in the Pearl District's development, the park has become a central gathering place in the neighborhood. It hosts various community events throughout the year and serves as a popular recreational space for local residents and visitors alike.