Grant Park (Portland, Oregon) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Grant Park |
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![]() Signage for the park, 2014
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Grant Park is a fun and active park located in Portland, Oregon. It's a great place for people of all ages to enjoy the outdoors. The park is found in the neighborhood that shares its name.
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A Look at Grant Park's History
Grant Park was named after Ulysses S. Grant. He was a famous US President and a general during the American Civil War. The city of Portland bought the land for the park in 1922.
The park is quite large, covering about 19.9 acres. It is right next to Grant High School. This makes it easy for students and local families to use the park.
Park Features and Fun Activities
Grant Park offers many cool things to do. You can find a big playground for kids to explore. There's also a special area for dogs to play safely.
For sports lovers, the park has athletic fields and tennis courts. If you like to walk or run, there are nice paths to follow. Families can also enjoy picnics in the designated areas. Plus, Grant Park even has its own swimming pool!
The Beverly Cleary Sculpture Garden
One of the most special parts of Grant Park is the Beverly Cleary Sculpture Garden for Children. This unique garden was opened on October 13, 1995. It celebrates the beloved characters created by author Beverly Cleary.
Meet Ramona and Friends!
Beverly Cleary wrote many popular books for kids. Her stories often featured characters like Ramona Quimby and Henry Huggins. Fans of Cleary's books helped raise money to build this garden.
The garden features life-sized statues of three famous characters. You can see Ramona Quimby, Henry Huggins, and Henry's dog, Ribsy. A local artist named Lee Hunt created these amazing sculptures.
How the Sculptures Were Made
The artist used a special method to make the statues look very real. They used vintage clothes on wax models. This helped to capture the true look of the characters.
Ramona's statue is especially fun. She is wearing a raincoat and boots. She has a happy look on her face, as if she is splashing in the garden's fountain. Around the statues, you'll find granite tiles. These tiles have famous quotes from Beverly Cleary's books carved into them. It's a wonderful way to remember her stories.