Tanner Springs Park, Urban park in Pearl District, Portland, United States.
Tanner Springs Park is a one-acre green space in the Pearl District with a constructed pond system, native plants, and winding wooden boardwalks. The grounds combine water features with seating areas and shaded spots surrounded by varied vegetation.
Tanner Springs Park occupies land that was once prairie and wetlands fed by Tanner Creek, named for Daniel H. Lownsdale's tannery; the creek was piped underground and a shallow lake filled in the 1880s. A 1999 Pearl District plan called the site North Park Square, and it was renamed after the creek in April 2005. An early aim of returning Tanner Creek to the surface was never carried out.
The east wall's Artwall sets recovered rail tracks upright; some date to 1898 and were donated by Portland Terminal Railroad. Bullseye Glass supplied 99 translucent blue pieces, painted by Herbert Dreiseitl with scenes of indigenous animals. Visitors can also join yoga or meditation sessions held in the park.
The park sits two blocks north of Jamison Square and two blocks south of The Fields Park, linked to both by an ipê boardwalk. Signs at the pond state that pets are not allowed, after early damage to the water ecosystem. Benches line the streams, and the stair-step grass seats offer seating; visitors also use the lawn for yoga and meditation.
The leaf-shaped Rainwater Pavilion catches storm runoff and channels it into the water system, where it is filtered with UV light. The park's water sound was tuned by architect Herbert Dreiseitl, who met community members and refined the rushing noise. Osprey and great blue heron have been recorded here, and iNaturalist observers most often log the Pacific forktail and vivid dancer damselflies.
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