The Park is Open! June 2025

 Yes, the park reopened a few days ago!  I didn't read about it until the day after the ribbon cutting, which was a shame, I'd have shown up to watch.

Mickey and I went Saturday morning, quite early, we were back by 9:00.  No one was using the splash pad or courts, but there were a few dogs in the dog park.  Dogs we'd never seen before. I've been posting updates for so long I thought I'd better let you know it's open and include a lot of photos!

Finally, picnic tables and shade.  The area on the right can be reserved. 

See the sign with rules over on the left side (photo below)?  The yellow post to its left, reflected in the water, has a button on top to press to turn on the water.  There is another one on the right.  One for the smaller water features for little kids, the other for the big stuff.    

Mickey likes water, but this was all too new, too much for him to enjoy.  His park was accessible at long last, but his paths were missing, his regular tree pit stops were gone, and we weren't the only ones there.  I'm sorry the perimeter paths are gone.  Coming in our usual way we had to walk through this area a bit, rather than straight to a path, which is possible from the side entrance. 

A Lappset Sona arch.  It has motion-sensing technology for play and dance, and 360° touch screens for memory challenges.  I'm quoting, I've not seen it in action. 

I did press the button, which startled Mickey when the arch started talking!  It was loud, and, for me, the voice was very unpleasant to listen to! 

The new basketball and pickleball courts. 

Mickey checked out the dog park fountain once the other dogs had gone. He did meet an Australian shepherd (with a tail!) he got on with well.  Since he was jumped, twice, by "he's friendly" dogs, he's a bit edgy. 

The fountain was a bit too splashy for his taste.  He checked it out thoroughly to see who'd been there before him!  I don't let him mark things like that.  

It's bigger than I thought it was going to be.  There is a big dog park at the other end of town, maybe as big as this entire park.  I hope the neighbors next to the dog park like dogs!  Several have chain link fences, so it might not be pleasant even if they do.  I wouldn't like it.  Probably a lot of barking and smells... People don't pick up after their dogs enough even with plenty of bag dispensers available around the park. 

All it took was 2.3 million and almost a year (it took quite a few years to get started though) to accomplish.  Not quite done though, the restroom won't be put in until September.  Some special one, a Portland Loo. I'm not sure what the many families are doing in the meantime (and when I drove by on Saturday afternoon there were many children in the splash pad).  The city should have installed a temporary portable toilet, it you ask me. 

The school playground field on the other side of the fence looks terrible in comparison.  However, I have it on the good authority of an employee they are going to put in a path and shaded sitting area, so maybe they'll green up the grass as well.  Right now it's full of star thistle.  I told the employee to be prepared to deal with star thistles stuck in student's arms and legs!  Those are nasty.  Even Mickey knows to stop, hold his foot in the air, and let me take them out.  And he hates having his feet touched.  He needs to be sedated at the vet's to get his nails clipped.