Welcome to Laurelhurst Park!
This beautiful park is located in the inner southeast region of the city of Portland, Oregon. It is a very popular place for people to gather in the summertime, but is frequented by residents and tourists all year round.
The park has a large and lush area for dogs to play in. When the weather warms up, this place is chock full of all kinds of dogs, but on cooler days, there are only a few. That works out well, though, for pretty pictures.
All throughout the park are trails. Some are asphalt, so that people can bike and skate through the park.
And many are foot paths, so you can get lost in the woods.
There is even a foot path that goes around the duck pond, known as Firwood Lake.
Firwood Lake is a very popular place for all kinds of birds.
There might not be a lot of people around the park in the spring, but there are certainly a lot of ducklings and goslings.
There is a fence around one portion of the lake, presumably for public safety. Along this fence are dozens of woodcuts of birds, hand-painted by children.
Here are some of my favorites.
On cool spring days the honeysuckle fills the air in the park with its sweet scent that compliments the aroma of rain.
The design of Laurelhurst Park was influenced by the style of the landscape architect and artist Frederick Law Olmstead, who helped design the world famous Central Park of New York.
It certainly does feel like an historic place.
But it also has its connections to modern times, like with this sculpture.
And this events board, which hopefully will start to come alive again once Covid-19 is under control.
Laurelhurst Park is a great place to go to escape from the city without actually leaving. The old growth trees can make you feel like you are in an enchanted forest.
Maybe you are...
So why not invite all your friends over for a giant picnic?
Or sit in the quiet on a bench with someone you love?
I hope you have enjoyed this tour of this beautiful park, and will come to visit some day.
Have a beautiful day!
