North Park Blocks facts for kids
Quick facts for kids North Park Blocks |
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View of the Park Blocks, July 2016
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| Type | Urban park |
| Location | Portland, Oregon, United States |
| Area | 3.11 acres (1.26 ha) |
| Operated by | Portland Parks & Recreation |
| Status | Open 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily |
The North Park Blocks are a cool city park located right in downtown Portland, Oregon, USA. This park stretches across several blocks. Most of it is in northwest Portland, but one part, called Ankeny Square, is in southwest Portland. It's a great place for people to relax and enjoy nature in the city.
Contents
Exploring the North Park Blocks: A Park's Story
How the Park Began
The land for these park blocks was given to the city in 1865 by a person named Captain John H. Couch. Just a few years later, in 1869, the city officially planned them out to be a public park.
At first, the park had special areas for different groups. In 1904, one block was set aside just for women and children. Then, in 1906, another block was added to be a playground for kids. This playground was even split into sections for boys and for younger children or girls.
Fun Elephant Statues
In 2002, something really special was added to the North Park Blocks. A kind person named Huo Baozhu, who owned a foundry in China, gave Portland two amazing bronze elephant statues. These statues are full-size copies of ancient elephant art from the Shang Dynasty.
The city placed these elephants in the park so that kids could easily play around them and enjoy them. They are a popular spot for families visiting the park.
Modern Changes and New Life
In recent years, the North Park Blocks have become even more lively and popular. Many old or empty buildings nearby have been replaced with cool new places. These include fancy apartments and creative business offices.
One big change happened between 2014 and 2015. A historic building, the 511 Federal Building, got a major makeover. It used to be a post office built a long time ago, in 1916. Now, it's the main campus for the Pacific Northwest College of Art, bringing lots of students and energy to the area.
