What could be more Earth Day appropriate? I joined the community garden this year through…read morePortland.gov. It isn't for a lack of space, we do have a sizeable yard but I didn't know how to organize it or if I'd want to move it come next year so I thought this was a good compromise: nearby, a defined plot, probably some "experts" around to guide me. So it's about $40 for the season, going April to October for a plot that's about 10x10'. My plot had some things in it already that I opted to leave. The garden is secured by padlock but they have had tools go missing. I haven't taken many photos yet but I will as the season goes on. There are plentiful hose spigots and I like that it's nestled in a natural copse and has houses nearby. It makes me feel like I'm close to neighbors and there is a bit of community. I find the whole Ed Benedict area quite appealing, and feel it adds value to the neighborhood for green space, the skate park, the memory garden and the community garden.

I can't believe nobody has reviewed this! That being said, I have come here for years and am just…read morenow getting to it. This park is behind the elementary school and they are separate entities even though they appear to share the open spaces. The school has covered basketball courts and playground for smaller kids. The park has a fenced community garden, picnic tables, large field, soccer goals, baseball field, a walking track and some bleachers. There are several entrances in and out, rough neighborhood, you might see a "gang" of guys pretty regularly but they are usually hiding out from their moms or wives and don't bother others. Somebody had taken it upon themselves to thumbtack their poetry onto the trees around the track and they nicknamed it "poetry park", so you can take a quick look as you speed walk into the sunset. My favorite part of the park is the well developed trees, they have so much character and I tend to focus on them a lot when I am hanging out here.

We joined the Gladstone Community Gardening Association in 2025 and our experience has been…read morepositive. The gardens are all organic. The new leadership on the Board of Directors over the past three years has revitalized the gardens and is planning to make them even better with a pathway project to level all the paths and make them ADA compliant. Large 250 gallon water butts have been installed in case of plumbing issues so water is always available although every plot has access to water spigots; shade awnings have been installed throughout the gardens with tables and chairs to sit and eat lunch or take a break from the heat and the sun. Raised beds are now allowed. Everyone is friendly and helpful. There are people from Thailand, Korea, Mexico, Columbia, Italy, the Philippines, Russia, Ukraine, Poland, Germany, and Iraq. The annual rental is $50 with a volunteer requirement of 4 hours for a whole lot (25 ft x 45 ft) and 2 hours for a half lot per season. Those hours may be met in a range of different ways although most folks volunteer for the twice monthly work parties to keep the paths mown, and the parking and fencing areas trimmed. The variety of plants grown and the creativity shown across the allotments is amazing! We grow Asparagus, Raspberries, blueberries, strawberries, currants, snap peas, green beans, beets, turnips, potatoes, lettuces, radishes, cucumbers, peppers, tomatoes, and nearly a dozen herbs and medicinal plants such as rosemary, tarragon, lavender, comfrey, chamomile, red clover, and nasturtiums. This community is built from people of all different ages: 4-90! There are individuals and couples who have been gardening here for 20 years, some just beginning their gardening, couples with young children, seniors with their grandchildren and LGBTQ+ folks. Everyone is welcome here and supportive. I've found my community!

After deliberating for a few years about getting a spot in the community garden, my sister and I…read morefinally pulled the trigger. And we are so glad we did. The lots are large. There is water at every corner of the lot. And the annual fee is very reasonable. In addition, they have all the mechanical tools you need to prepare and maintain your lot for a small rental charge. You do need to schedule the rental though. And you need to help out at one or more monthly work parties to fulfill an annual work hour requirement but it's no more work than what you would do in your own lot. Like with many a great thing, there is a wait list. But it's worth it, believe me. Not only do you have a great sense of community here, but you can see what others are doing with their spots to get your creativity working. And everyone we've met has been so nice. It's been a wonderful experience. Be warned though, on the weekends you may encounter Remote Control airplanes and helicopters overhead as well as the neighboring athletic fields being used for anything from softball to soccer to frisbee leagues. Work in your garden, bring a chair, an umbrella and a cooler and spend the afternoon talking with your plants. It's guaranteed to de stress your life...oh and having organically grown produce is an added bonus.

Since Clarendon middle school closed down in 2006, this site sat unused and sadly neglected. Then,…read morean enterprising group from the 'hood, The Portsmouth Neighborhood Association applied and received an Interstate Urban Renewal Community Livability grant and since last year has been busy transforming the site to a community garden project prevalent in so many urban communities these days. Biggups to the PNA for their ambition and stick-to-it-iveness! One wonders what, if anything this portends for the immediately adjacent Clarendon Park (now it's called Northgate Park. I guess old man Clarendon has fallen completely out of favor). We sure played many a pick-up football game and walked the dogs, played frisbee, and fraternized w/the fairer gender many a time in that park, among other sundry activities. Hopefully this park is safely preserved in "livable" perpetuity as well..

Of you're looking for a nice place for a picnic with an impressive view of the Willamete River this…read moreis the place for you. There a nice walking trail, picnic tables and plenty of green space. If shade is your things there is that as well. Occasionally, you see some members of our houseless community coming through but know permanent dwelling happening that I could see. Anywhoo check it out.

A lovely quiet river walk off of the highway. Some nice shaded benches to sit on and watch the…read moregeese and ducks on the Willamette. A good spot for a picnic or a cup of coffee. Some bikes whizzing by - so keep your wits about ya!