Picnic, Play, Bike and Hike with the Family at Portland's Historic Laurelhurst Park!

Laurelhurst Park truly has everything an urban park can offer and is fantastic for kids to get outdoors whatever their speed, age and interest. It's complete with paved paths long enough to get some exercise, green space for sun-bathing and picnicking, a pond for duck watching and an off-leash dog park for those with energetic pups.

Before it was a city park, the land that is now Laurelhurst Park was the site of one of the most prestigious stock farms in the west. The current pond at Laurelhurst Park served as a spring-fed watering hole for cattle and a place to take a cool dip. Laurelhurst Park was officially born in 1911 when The City of Portland purchased the land and in 2001 it was the first city park ever to be named to the National Register of Historic Places. 

It’s not uncommon to find a smattering of people occupying the sunny and shaded spaces of the park on a warm summer day or celebrating an event in one of the many large designated picnic areas. Picnic and park benches are strategically placed throughout the park under tall evergreen trees and off the paved trails for an impromptu picnic or rest option.

Laurelhurst also provides a nice environment for those interested in stroller running, biking, or rollerblading with its smooth paved paths wide enough for two-way traffic. An outer path that goes around the periphery of the park plus several paths that cut through the center allows you to create multiple loops and mix up your running scenery.

There are a few restrooms onsite with minimal amenities and no changing tables, so make sure to bring your changing pads and hand sanitizer. There are no places to purchase food in the immediate park, but there are some restaurants and shops a few blocks away on SE Belmont. Don’t forget your water bottles and fill them up at one of the several water fountains scattered throughout the park.

Street parking is readily available in the surrounding neighborhood. If you’d like to reserve one of the several picnic areas for a special event, call the number for special events. Whether you are looking for a quick workout or an all-day picnic in the park, Laurelhurst is a stellar option. Bring your hula hoops, hammocks, jogging strollers, bikes, slacklines, yoga mats, blankets and picnic lunches and enjoy one of Portland’s most historic parks.