Portland Parks: New Playground Opens at Heights Park

The Portland Parks Foundation (PPF) and Portland Parks & Recreation (PP&R) will host a public event on Thursday, November 19, 2026, to open the renovated playground at Portland Heights Park in southwest Portland. The ceremony is scheduled from 2:30 p.m. until sunset at the intersection of SW Patton Road and Old Orchard Road.

The event marks the completion of the second site in the Everybody Plays playground campaign. This initiative aims to replace three aging and inaccessible playgrounds across the city with new, inclusive play spaces. The first renovation was completed in May 2026 at Raymond Park in East Portland. The third and final site is George Park in North Portland.

The new equipment at Portland Heights Park features a design inspired by treehouses, a choice selected by children during the planning process. The structure fits the wooded setting of the park. The renovation includes new climbing equipment, rubber safety tiles, and improved pathways. These changes are intended to make the space safer and more accessible for a wider range of users.

The expanded lower playground also benefits from afternoon shade. This design element provides more comfortable conditions for summer play while preserving space for sports and other park activities. The project represents the successful conclusion of the second phase of the foundation's multi-site construction plan.

The funding for the Everybody Plays campaign came from 38 donors and a matching contribution from PP&R. The campaign launched in 2024 following the success of a similar project at Rose City Park. That 2023 renovation transformed a space with broken equipment into a welcoming area now used by more than 2,000 neighborhood children.

The PPF stated that the expanded playground reflects input from hundreds of neighbors and park users. The foundation credited community champions and park supporters for their contributions and feedback. The organization noted that the new infrastructure helps connect Portlanders to nature and each other through the city's parks.

PP&R manages more than 11,000 acres of land, including neighborhood parks, community centers, and urban forests. The bureau serves as the steward of the city's natural beauty and community vitality. The PPF acts as the chief philanthropic partner to the bureau, raising money to fund new facilities and enhance existing ones.

The November 19 program will include community celebration activities, brief remarks, a ribbon cutting, and fall treats. Visitors of all ages are invited to join project partners and neighborhood leaders for the afternoon. The event serves as a public milestone for the completion of the Portland Heights Park project.

The PPF and PP&R encourage residents to visit portlandpf.org/playgrounds for more information about the campaign. The website provides details on the status of the remaining playground and ways to support future initiatives. The new playground at Portland Heights Park is now ready for community use ahead of the formal opening ceremony.