Pettygrove Park

Pettygrove Park is an urban park in downtown Portland featuring rolling grass mounds, stone walls, and a dense canopy of trees throughout. Paved paths wind through the space, connecting various seating areas and creating a natural retreat in the heart of the city.

The park was designed in 1966 by landscape architect Lawrence Halprin as part of a larger effort to create green space in downtown Portland. Its name honors Francis Pettygrove, an early settler whose name was chosen by a coin toss, the same method used to decide whether the city would be called Portland or Boston.

Lawrence Halprin designed this space in 1966 as part of the Portland Open Space Sequence, incorporating natural elements within an urban environment.

The park is open from early morning until midnight and features numerous benches throughout for sitting and resting. Since it is a compact space, visitors can walk through it quickly, making it ideal for a brief stop or break while exploring downtown.

The park features a bronze sculpture called 'The Dreamer' positioned in a reflecting pool that produces musical tones when rain falls on it. This hidden artistic detail adds a sensory dimension to the space that many visitors may overlook during their walks.

Location: Oregon

Location: Portland

Inception: 1966

Website: https://portland.gov/parks/pettygrove-park

GPS coordinates: 45.51094,-122.67875

Latest update: December 14, 2025 13:08