Council Crest Park facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Council Crest Park |
|
|---|---|
Observation area with toposcope, Mount St. Helens in background
|
|
| Type | Urban park |
| Location | SW Council Crest Dr. Portland, Oregon |
| Area | 42.95 acres (17.38 ha) |
| Established | 1937 |
| Operated by | Portland Parks & Recreation |
| Open | 5 a.m. to midnight daily |
Council Crest Park is a fun city park located in Portland, Oregon. It has nice paved and unpaved paths for walking, a special area where dogs can play off-leash, and picnic tables for families. You can also see cool public art and amazing views from here! The park is about 43.51-acre (17.61 ha) big and is managed by Portland Parks & Recreation. It's open every day from 5 a.m. to midnight, all year long. Did you know it used to be an amusement park a long time ago, from 1907 to 1929?
Contents
Exploring Council Crest Park's History
Council Crest is one of the highest spots in the Tualatin Mountains (also called the West Hills) near Portland. It's about 1,071 feet (326 m) above sea level. From here, you can see amazing views of Portland and the areas around it.
How Council Crest Got Its Name
This hill was first owned by John B. Talbot and was called Talbot Mountain. Later, it was known as Glass Hill and then Fairmount. In 1898, a group called the Triennial National Council of Congregational Churches met on the hill. They decided to name it Council Crest. Some people thought Native American tribes held meetings here, but there's no proof of that.
The Fun Amusement Park Years
On September 20, 1906, a streetcar line was built to the top of the hill. This made it easy for people to visit! Soon after, in 1907, an amusement park opened at Council Crest. It had a merry-go-round, a miniature railway, a Ferris wheel, and other exciting rides. The streetcar was the only way to get to the park. The Council Crest Amusement Park closed in 1929, and the city bought the land in 1937.
Changes Over Time
The wooden observation tower at the amusement park was taken down in 1941. A steel water tower was built in its place. The streetcar service to the very top of Council Crest stopped on August 9, 1949. The tracks were removed, and a road was built where the streetcar line used to be. This streetcar line was once one of the most famous and beautiful in North America!
One of the old streetcars, car 506, was displayed at Council Crest Park for over 20 years, from 1950 to 1972. It was later moved and is now kept safe at a museum. Other special streetcars, like the ones used for the Portland Vintage Trolley and Willamette Shore Trolley, also remember the old Council Crest line. They even have the same slogan: See Portland from Council Crest.
Amazing Views from the Park
Even though the old observation tower is gone, the city built a special observation area in the park. From this spot, you can see many tall mountains in the Cascade Range. These include Mount Rainier, Mount St. Helens, Mount Adams, Mount Hood, and Mount Jefferson.
Council Crest Park is often called the highest point within Portland's city limits. However, there are actually slightly higher spots nearby along Skyline Drive. But these other spots don't offer the amazing public views that Council Crest Park does!
