Monday, June 20, 2016

Washington Park - SW Portland - 8.3.07

Washington Park


With a pseudo-medieval theme, and a mixture of plastic and metal pieces, this playground feels both modern and antiquated. Nearly every surface (save for slides, of course) is wheelchair-accessible. At the top of the slides you'll find plaques with information about the chute you are about to descend. There are plenty of ship's wheels and movable parts to dazzle the eyes and mind. And the whole structure can actually be viewed as one big maze, with a start and a finish and several dead ends along the way.

This playground also features swings, bouncy rides and a sandbox, and is located near some of the most cleverly decorated restrooms I've ever seen. Supposedly there's even a fountain nearby, though we couldn't find it on this trip. The entire park is a major tourist attraction, featuring the state's largest zoo, a children's museum, a forestry center, a Japanese garden, and more. To get to the playground, take the MAX train to the Washington Park stop (in the tunnel), ride the elevator to the ground level, and hop on a tram. The ride to the playground takes about ten minutes, and you'll see it on your left -- it's big, you can't miss it.