This lovely bit of land has the potential to be as great as it was originally envisioned. And I imagine there was a time it was a community favorite spot for family gatherings, first dates, "that" secret retreat where you could take a breath to reset your inner peace, a trusted romping ground for your fur kids. The park's magical energy gave reason enough to grab your umbrella, Wellingtons, a friend who is willing to dance in the rain (yes, I know I'm stretching this a bit, dream with me here). Sadly, a short visit to this once bubbly land will likely leave you to go back to your favorite park and never return. I get it. It's winter and with Portland winters comes wet, muddy, and now even neglected by the city workers who's jobs are subsidized by local and state income taxes paid by hard working people from our gorgeous city. I may be new to the city, but what I do know is it rains. And it's no secret that winter brings days upon days of cold, rainy days. I personally love it! And isn't it safe to assume that this seasonal shift is no secret for the OG city folk? I'm told to expect living under dark clouds with daily rain accumulation right through spring of 2026. Again, I am new here. But doesn't it make sense to perhaps to take another look into learning what the city's resident community experts thoughts are on what seasonal characteristics determined this unfortunate decision. So like me, for example. I'm from Phoenix, AZ. Where summer temps seer to 115°- 120° with minimal breaks for weeks upon weeks. And guess what? City parks don't close up shop. They still book events for picnic spaces and other popular hidden gems. The toilets are open, clean and the park workers are eager to answer any questions you bring. And so my issue isn't with the declining state of the park. It's the blatant inconsideration for people who get outside even on the rainiest days and nights I find to be adversarial. The city has turned the parks public water source (especially convenient for your pups), closed and locked the only two toilets available to relieve the most commonly shared human function. Locking these toilets is wrong on so many levels. Doing so doesn't save the city spending budget. It doesn't keep homeless people away from the park, and it doesn't keep the park clean. Yeah. That last part. Thank you for encouraging people to make an unfair decision. Anyone reading this knows, when you gotta go,
You gotta go. There is no health benefit for someone to hold it. Even leaving the park to go home is too long. Instead of promoting cleanliness and personal responsibility, you are in fact forcing people to urinate at will, anywhere. And even worse? Yes. Not all poop can be held beyond it's naturally placed emergency exit. Your decision to restrict access makes no sense. But, let's be real. This isn't to keep the budget honest. It's also not to ensure less traffic in spots where there is solid traffic. It's certainly not to use the opportunity to upgrade the facilities. It's to satisfy the early morning city park "ranger" and his personal agenda to bully anyone who wears the effects from a life of despair shown everywhere on their being. He wants to make life harder for a life that you'd think can't get worse. He is so repulsed by their presence, taking away their safety, dignity, hope and a spot to rest quietly when absolutely nobody is there. And even should someone stroll through, they don't care. The homeless folks aren't why this park has lost it's joy, it's because the people who have the powers are making decisions based on ensuring they win. How proud you must feel when you stoop to pick up your park powers and literally spew your wrongly placed toxic energy. Please reopen one of the restrooms and turn the water source back on. These park amenities belong to all the people of the city of Portland. Make your choices based on that agenda. Not your rangers. Do better! read more