Westmoreland Park
Westmoreland Park Map
About Westmoreland Park in Portland
Westmoreland Park is a 42.01-acre municipal park located in the Westmoreland area of southeast Portland, Oregon. Established in 1936, the park has served the recreational needs of the communities in southeast Portland for decades. The park is situated along McLoughlin Boulevard and straddles Crystal Springs Creek, just downstream from the Crystal Springs Rhododendron Garden.
In recent years, Westmoreland Park underwent a significant restoration project aimed at improving the natural environment and enhancing visitor amenities. The project, completed in 2014, focused on restoring Crystal Springs Creek to create better habitat for native wildlife, particularly threatened salmon species. The restoration involved removing concrete curbing along the creek banks, adding logs, pools, and riffles to the creek channel, and planting nearly 15,000 native plants in the wetland and riparian corridor.
The park's history dates back to the early 20th century when it was part of a residential subdivision. Before becoming a park, the land served various purposes, including farmland, golf links, and even a brief stint as an airstrip known as Broomfield Field. The City of Portland purchased the land in 1936 and commissioned Francis Benedict Jacobberger to create the initial layout for the park.
Westmoreland Park offers a diverse range of recreational opportunities for visitors. It features sports facilities, including baseball diamonds, soccer fields, and tennis courts. The park is also home to a nature-based playground, which was part of the 2014 renovation. This unique play area incorporates natural elements such as boulders, logs, and sand, encouraging children to engage in open-ended play and connect with nature.
One of the park's distinctive features is its casting pond, which hosts events like the Royal Rosarian Milk Carton Boat Race. The park also includes wetland areas that provide habitat for native waterfowl, amphibians, and mammals, offering visitors opportunities for nature observation and environmental education.
