After walking or driving past this park usually once a week minimum since a close friend lives in one of the buildings over looking it. It looks so 'tidy' and I love the giant chess set which just calls you in to us the space or just sit around it. I finally was able to experience it for the Indigenous People's Fry Bread Festival though I showed up later so zero Fry Bread at the Fry Bread Festival (sad face). What a great event though with a lot of vendors. Just talking with an artist who creates works from wool she harvests and dyes herself using native techniques. But the park had the vendors set up creatively and because of how open the park is you can fit a lot of vendors without it feeling crammed and having an also stage space for the spoken word and music. It was really great yet also felt intimate - like you could experience all the activities without missing things. It was a great time and I look forward to other events too. For such a long time the only real outdoor park space was Pioneer Courthouse Square so it is nice having another smaller space that is not as overwhelming. read more

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I love this park we come here fairly often. The free games like giant chess and jenga, board&card games are super fun and the people watching is interesting. Never a dull moment here. The place has its own security so it feels safe and the attendants are helpful and quick on clean ups. The fountain is great for littles as it never gets over 3inches deep. read more

Director Park - View from park - Parks Near Me - Portland, Oregon

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This is a great spot, especially at night time when they have all the colorful lights shining down on the park but I'm not sure if they do that anymore as it doesn't seem as active as it used to be. Just free live music affect especially Mumbai South American type style music. I see a lot of people frequent this spot on my lunch, breaks as well as myself when it's a nice day and it's great to have a cool breeze going in hot weather all the fountain is going. read more

Summer time is here (or at least the sun) and with that I like to get the kids outside. This has to be one of my favorite go to circles... Park in the smart park, 5 bucks for the whole day on weekends, grab coffee from public domain or barista, grab a brunch box burger or hit up a weekend happy hour, then go relax in the sun while the kids splash! Very well located, and a lot of seating, there is no grass or places to lounge around much, but they have a lot of chairs and tables, so this is a great place to let the kids play while you eat. I will say that there are quite a few people usually here not for the fountain. They seem to be quite pissy at times that sitting near a fountain full of kids might get them splashed. So if you want peace and quite, I would skip this place in any warm weather. Id bring you own drinks, because the only places near by have quite the mark up. read more

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I love this place! It's such an Intimate Urban Oasis right smack in the heart of downtown, yet it has the best modern feel of any outdoor space I've been to, I really wouldn't use the word "Park" when describing this place since its often used at night for events. In the day time, its often inhibited by people taking breaks over food/coffee nearby. Very European like! I think they should really call it, "Hey, It's the Open Space right in the middle of downtown, let's meet there! But since that's too long, Director Park will have to be! I was here most recently for FeastPDX. The following were just notes regarding the event that was hosted here for Feast Portland. It was here on the 1st night, they had the Sandwich Competition. The Dave's Killer bread event Chef Vitaly Paley won people's choice awards by voting tokens for his banh mi, fry bread taco, pickles, peppers, cilantro. Gregory won for the judges award for his savory and sweet crepes. Windmers serving up 5 different beers. Dave's Killer Bread were giving out free bread and a spin wheel. Festivities started at 6pm and promptly ended at 9pm. Water was everywhere, all around a great event at this great space. Amazingly, the way this place is positioned, music can also be heard throughout. Highly recommended for hosting downtown events for 500-600 people easily. I believe you can rent out park of the park or the whole place which can have just over 2,000 people. https://www.portlandoregon.gov/parks/article/443671 read more

Director Park - #feastpdx #votesandwich - Parks Near Me - Portland, Oregon

Nothing quite like this park-- part Central Park , to be sure, this is the place to eat, read, take in sun,& yes-- Even pick up peewee Herman chess!!!! read more

Director Park - LOOOVE this scene . Elephants is here for the grubbin - Parks Near Me - Portland, Oregon

Director Park opened in 2009 and cost roughly $9.5 million for the city to open. It is actually located on top of a parking garage that connects the Fox Tower and Park Avenue West. There is little vegetation in the park. The park is home to a Visitor's Center as well as a set of oversized chess board and pieces which one can play. There are multiple tables and benches making this park a great location enjoy a lunch in the park. read more

I came here a few times during my stay in Portland because it was so relaxing to sit here and ponder. Other people also formulate here to relax and unwind throughout the day! There are a few restaurants surrounded by the park and there is a wonderful small body of water that kids/adults alike can enjoy. Although it does warn not to ingest this water which should also make one wonder what is in the water. Nevertheless, this area is very nice if you want to reflect or simply be around other people in the midst of it all any time of the day--sometimes events are put on here as well. read more

Director Park - Relaxing - Parks Near Me - Portland, Oregon

This is a great new downtown park, with parking underground. It is paved with light colored granite and has a restaurant space, lots of tables and chairs, Teachers Fountain is nice and it hosts lots of events. The tables outside are a great place to eat food from the restaurant and are protected from the rain with a large glass canopy. It is also fun to watch people play on the giant chess set. It is even more fun to watch kids splash and play in the fountain. In all it is a great urban space and good for people watching. It took along time to get it open after what in my memories of years of talking, it opened in 2009 with parking underneath. Tom Moyer donated the land as part of a plan to link the north and south park blocks though that plan seems to have been set aside as his family is building a tower on the block next door that if memory serves was going to be par of the plan, Its nice they are building housing but another block like this would be welcome. read more

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After a year, a lot of great things have happened at Director Park. Although the "park" is still lacking in greenery, it more than makes up for it with the open feel and bustle of visitors. On any given sunny day, the place is packed at lunchtime, and it's a great place to stop and relax and be a part of the city. The plaza is only enhanced by Violetta, which brings in additional traffic and keeps a good quarter of the park busy a lot of the time. I also like that the park has a full time dedicated employee. It's always clean, and the employee can often be seen sharing the history of the park with visitors, or providing tourists with other things to do in Portland. I'm really happy to see that Director Park has grown into its space. It's a great new destination for downtown residents, and the occasional cultural activity held there only adds to the prestige of downtown Portland. read more

This place is nice and sunny for lunch (during the sunny months at least). They have a deli in the glass building called Elephants Delicatessen and they have some of the tastiest sandwiches in the city. There is a nice water feature here as well that kids love to play in and around. OK, the adults really love to play as well. You may find yourself transported back to a simpler time in your life when dodging the water blasts was a game you could play for hours. There is also an oversized chess board and pieces you can challenge your friends with. You get a much different perspective when you can walk around the board and see it from all angles. read more

Flew to Portland to enjoy time with friends and family wanted to play chess at this park because it has the large chess prices the PARK HOST informed us that it closed at 4:30 but the posted signs say other wise. read more

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Flat out my favorite urban public space in Portland. When I'm downtown and it's a sunny day, I make it a point to visit, as I know I can expect a bustling environment that makes me feel like i'm in a larger city. A lovely fountain, giant chessboards, and a quite tasty cafe make up the bulk of Director Park. For me, however, I'd say the primary attraction is the people watching. From business folks to tourists to those special strange townfolk that only Portland can produce, they all seem to mingle in Director Park. There's an energy here that as the kids say, gives me life. It's a great place to meet a friend, have a date, or conduct a casual meeting. I know that people say Pioneer Courthouse Square is "Portland's Backyard", but I'd take Director Park over that other plaza any day. read more

My favorite park in Portland for seating down, eat, read books, listening to iPods, having conversation, and just being there. There's no trees here. It's not park in the actual term of park. Like what Brandon B mentioned, this is more a Plaza. It doesn't feel like Portland, it doesn't look like Portland, but it fits in Portland. Just make sure if you are parents with kids, don't let your kids running around in diapers only and let their diapers touch the water from the fountain. That's just common sense. Besides that, let's enjoy the Director Park. :). read more

Portland's version of Seattle's Westlake park.......a small urban concrete inner city park in the heart of downtown.... filled with an even mix between tourists, local business people, and the homeless ....all sitting and enjoying their time amongst each other. Doesn't get much better than that. read more

I nice little surprise on a hot June summer day, my family and I were exploring downtown not far from our hotel and stumbled across this cool urban park. The park was lively and full of all sorts of people (serious people watching potential.) The splash pad/ water-fountain was a nice touch, we didn't plan on doing some swimming, so we allowed our little one to go nuts in her shorts and t-shirt. In the end we got a nice slice of Portland watching everyone enjoying themselves all while watching crazy kids defile those squirting water fountains [insert imagination] read more

This place has everything you need except, well... grass. It has a children's wading pool and Elephants in the Park with outside seating and heat. The park sits squarely on top of a subterranean parking garage and while its not meant for the everyday physical activities you would find at other parks, it's still good for hangin' out, meeting friends, or a game of chess. The city of Portland can sure be creative when it wants to be. What else would you do with an entire city block? read more

Director park is as good a park as Jamison fountain for small kids who love playing in water. Plus you have all the great shopping located close by and restaurants to grab a bite to eat while you enjoy the activities happening in water park. Catch a street performer or watch a game of chess with pieces human-scale size. read more

Such a great place to eat your food-cart lunch on a sunny day. Ample number of tables, or you can sit by the fountain. It will be even more attractive once the construction next door is complete. read more

My new summer lunch spot! I highly recommend bringing your shades; with the light colored granite, it gets bright all up in this park. Order a tasty treat from Violetta and they will bring it out to your table as you space out on the fountain. During the 9 months that it is raining, there is a covered space with tables. There are also activities scheduled, staff to assist with moving tables and to keep an eye on the park. Not a great place for shade, but hey- just one block south and you'll be in shade central. read more

Summer wading pool and fountains are great for a little urban cool down but the winter lights and dramatic change to the park dynamics has me making an extra block detour to walk through lately. The stark lines of the cut stone spreading throughout into the subtle curve and softening wood seating surrounding park are very nice. The glass canopy is immense but light as the metal columns touch the ground. read more

This place is bomb. I've been here twice now. It's in an open park area (great for summer!) the building is small but all glass which is fun. Their fish tacos are the best I've had in any restaurant and their kale salad is amazing. They have a large menu, something for everyone! The staff was super cool and helpful in choosing what I was in the mood for. Very energetic peeps. Love that. It's right across the street from a theatre and the mall. It's right in the middle of everything. Must try! read more

More like a plaza than a park, but seriously cursed with wind and a generally sterile appearance. Events here are fun, but even when we lived nearby we didn't go there just to hang. I suppose the lack of grass makes it cheaper to maintain, but damn, who besides bored teenagers really wants to hang around a place that looks like a parking lot? Suggestion: given that this is Portland, put in some of those wooden planters everybody has in front of their houses and fill them up with, you know, plants. read more

Park? Parks should have grass and trees. This thing is a square with a fountain. The giant chess set is cool, but it doesn't make it a park.

This is a nice location, a little trip out of PDX that feels somewhat European to me. The best thing about the park is that is it is quite clean; the garbage picker-upper people they have working there are good about keeping it spotless. The only downside is the insipid habit that many parents share of putting their diaper-clad toddlers into the fountain. I can't stand to look at it...but oh well, at the end of the day it's not that big if a deal... read more

Now, here's a well-planned urban park I like a lot. It's spare and elegant and has a nice mix of glass, cement, metal, and water (in the summer). It's a delight to walk by on a hot summer day and watch little ones with mom and dad in tow frolicking in the wading pool, and it's perhaps more interesting in the winter to sit in Elephant's just across the street, sip hot chocolate, and watch activity in the square (like watching the now-canceled TV series "Leverage" in production) and the change in light and patterns throughout the day, finding the beauty in the spare nature of the surroundings. I can only imagine how appreciated this park must be to nearby dwellers and office workers. read more

Great urban park complete with ample seating, an in-park deli (Elephants in the Park), and giant chess until 6pm. Always very busy during the lunch hour, but sitting on the stairs or comfortable benches nearby the spacious fountain until a table opens up isn't the end of the world, and the mix of professionals, children, and other city folk makes for great people watching. There are always a couple of smiley park staff members patrolling around, making sure all is well. My preferred place to eat a packed or food-cart lunch in the downtown area. read more

I love this park. It is a nice place to gather. Yesterday we stopped here to soak our feet in the water. In the evenings, the lights on the structure is really cool. Very colorful. There were kids splashing and having an awesome time in the water. If I worked downtown, I would hang out here a lot. It is a great place to people watch and just enjoy the city. read more

Great for people watching. One of my favorite parks in Portland and one of the newest. Great urban space.

My favorite place to eat lunch in downtown Portland. Also a great place to scope babes.

ZZZZZZZZ so this is what a private parks looks like. Pretty boring. No natural shade or grass to lay on.

Giant life size chess set here! Now... If only someone would play with me.

I think the name is a bit misleading. When I think of a park, there should be some trees and grass and some sort of fish pond or something. I think this is more of a "square" like Pioneer Square. But that shouldn't stop you from coming here and have lunch with your friends. There are two places here that the word "Elephant" in their names. Coincidence? I think not. read more

This is not too much to look at..especially if you visit on a rainy February afternoon. But if you come later at night when it lights up, it becomes beautiful. I can only imagine how it could be on a sunny day. So don't write it off and come visit again! read more

Last winter I was delighted to be able to start my Saturday work day with hot beignets with apple butter, and a cup of great coffee from the Etta Cart. I was looking forward to the permanent location opening! Although it became less and less reliable that the Etta cart would be parked in it's Director Park spot, I still looked forward to the permanent gig. Finally it opened. Since it has opened, I believe I have been there 5 times. Different seasons, different times of day, different days of the week. Here is what I have experienced: Maybe it's open when it says it's going to be, maybe not. They will definitely not have something that's on the menu, and you will not know that until after you order it. The board that should say what they have that day is rarely current. There are always many employees, but they operate in a very inefficient manner. Like every hip Portland joint, they are all about touting their fresh local ingredients. I appreciate fresh local ingredients, but at this point they are fairly ubiquitous, so it takes more than that to keep customers coming back. I feel like the quality of food preparation has gone downhill since the cafe opened, and is now pretty mediocre and quite greasy. I hope they make an effort to improve, because they really have a prime location. read more

Most folks don't even realize this is a "park" because it is more of a plaza (there are no trees or grass, etc). HOWEVER - it IS a public park with a wonderful fountain, chairs and tables to sit and people watch, plus a lighted canopy that changes colors at night. They also host fun (and FREE) events throughout the year, and if that's not enough -- the park is dedicated to teachers. About as cool as it gets in downtown Portland "-) read more

This is one of the best places to eat lunch and people watch in Portland. Countless times I've picked up Jimmy Johns and walked over or got something yummy from Elephants just across the street. In the summer I'll bring the kids because they love to play in the water fountains there. One time there was even a clown making free balloon animals for the kiddos. I think he was just there on his own, doing it from the kindness of his heart. There's a cool human chessboard to be played and a ballet company does their rehearsals out there. It's all free! The area is always nice and clean, gets great sun (which can be rare for downtown), and the tables are perfect to sit at for you and a friend. It's not too noisy either and is insulated enough from the street that I just let the kids run around in the water having fun as I eat my food. Bring the kids or come with lunch! This is a hidden little treasure in downtown PDX that is great to visit. read more