Westmoreland Park facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Westmoreland Park |
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Pond at the park, 2009
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| Nearest city | Portland, Oregon, United States |
| Area | 42.01 acres (17.00 ha) |
| Created | 1936 |
| Operated by | Portland Parks & Recreation |
| Open | 5 a.m. to midnight daily |
Westmoreland Park is a fun public park in Portland, Oregon, USA. It's located in the Westmoreland neighborhood. The city bought the land for the park in 1936. It covers about 42 acres, which is like 30 football fields! The park is next to Crystal Springs Creek, not far from the Crystal Springs Rhododendron Garden. Portland Parks & Recreation takes care of the park. You can find sports fields, a playground, and a pond there.
Contents
Park History: From Farm to Fun
Before Westmoreland Park became a park, the land had many uses. It was once a farm and even a golf course. For a while, it was an airfield for planes! This airfield was called Broomfield Aviation Field. It was named after a brave pilot, Hugh Broomfield. He was a student who sadly passed away during World War I.
Building the Park: A Community Effort
In 1936, the city bought about 45 acres of land. They wanted to turn it into a park for everyone to enjoy. A person named Francis Benedict Jacobberger helped design the park. His plan included a lagoon and a pond. These were even meant to be ice rinks in the winter!
Construction started in the same year. Many people worked on the park through a program called the Works Progress Administration. This program helped people find jobs during a tough time. The casting pond was finished quickly. Other parts of the park took a bit longer to build.
New Additions and Updates
Over the years, more features were added. A baseball stadium was built in 1942. It was later named Sckavone Field in 1955. In 1945, a lawn bowling area was added. A restroom was built in 1949.
Later, the park had some issues with flooding. The water areas also needed fixing. So, in 2003, a new plan was made to improve the park. The big renovation finished in 2014. The park reopened in October 2014.
A Natural Makeover: Welcoming Salmon
During the renovation, the old duck pond was changed into natural wetlands. This helped the environment a lot! A new playground was also built. It uses natural materials like big rocks and logs. More paths were added for walking and exploring.
The best part? Restoring the wetlands helped salmon return to the stream! These fish can now migrate through the park again. The United States Army Corps of Engineers helped with this project. It cost about $1 million to make these amazing changes.
Park Fun: What Can You Do?
Westmoreland Park has lots of things to do! It's a great place for sports. You can find baseball diamonds, a football field, and a soccer field. There's also a softball field. The southern part of the park has Sckavone Stadium, which is used for baseball games.
Sports and Play Areas
Besides the fields, there are tennis courts and basketball courts. If you like to play, there's a fun playground. You can also walk or bike on the paths. There are picnic areas with tables, perfect for a snack or lunch. A restroom is also available.
Art in the Park
You might also spot a cool outdoor sculpture called Uroboros. It was created by an artist named Charles Kibby in 1979.
