Couch City Park

1961 NW Glisan St, Portland, OR 97209, USA

Related:	amc wisconsin dells
Address:	1961 NW Glisan St, Portland, OR 97209, USA
Phone:	+1 503-823-7529
Site:	portlandoregon.gov
Rating:	3.7
Working:	5AM–12AM 5AM–12AM 5AM–12AM 5AM–12AM 5AM–12AM 5AM–12AM 5AM–12AM

Location

Photos 100

Reviews 8

Dallas Van Winkle

I take my dog here nearly daily. It is a nice park but its good to be familiar with it before taking your dog here. For example, Ive heard several people say that their dog ate something here and got sick. Our dog ate something and got sick, it may have been a coincidence though. The worst problem with this area is the food left on the ground and you will often find syringes here, especially near the stone benches. In summer of 2016 there was a large camp that slept here nearly every night, and they left trash all over the place. Ive only seen a police officer come disrupt the camp maybe once a month or so. I was in the area when there was a stabbing in this park, and also someone brandished (what turned out to be a fake) gun on people. This park would greatly benefit from a regular friendly police visit just to ensure a safe atmosphere, although there is a lot of drug use in this area Ive never personally felt in danger even in the middle of the night. Although, it seems nearly every night there is a car break-in in this area. Again, a regular friendly police patrol would do wonders but I understand that other areas would greater benefit from police presence, so im sure theres an issue of priority in regards to that. There is a non-enclosed semi-gated playground area with wood chips that the local school (MLC) uses right within the park, adjacent to the dog area. There are signs stating that your dog must be on leash in the playground. I generally try to keep my dog out of it, especially if kids are around, although sometimes I take her through (mostly because she is huge and rather stubborn). Once, I was walking my dog here and one of the maintenance personnel accosted me and told me that I shouldnt walk my dog there. I told him the sign only said that my dog should be on leash. He didnt believe me and told me that I shouldnt walk her there because kids use the playground. I thanked him for his opinion and went my way. Another time, I was walking the dog in the playground area and a teacher came out and told me I had to leave, as kids were coming. I agreed and again mentioned that the sign said that dogs were allowed but must be leashed. She told me that the sign said no dogs were allowed here, and I asked her to read it. She briefly looked at it and told me that I couldnt have my dog there. Thats fine, I generally try to avoid taking my dog into the playground, but it seems like a very strange design to have a public school playground open and adjacent to a public park with no signs indicating that it isnt part of the park itself. Its very unclear whether the playground is part of the school or part of the park. In fact, geographically it is part of the park and separated from the school by a wide concrete path. If the school does not want people walking their dogs within, they should have a closed gate and a sign informing people so, rather than relying on passive aggressive off-hand remarks. Other than what Ive mentioned above, Ive had no issues here. You will occasionally come across someone screaming profanities, using narcotics, or engaging in otherwise odd behavior, this might bother some people but in my experience its generally safe as the people engaging in this activity generally want to be left alone.

bronson1955

1975: A community driven master plan was created to guide Couch Parks design and construction. Metropolitan Learning Center students helped with design ideas and residents of the surrounding neighborhood participated in the construction of the park and in the building of its play structure. Three pieces of artwork were installed in the park: a steel sculpture by David Cotter, mosaic tiles by Jere Grimm, and carved wooden pillars by William Moore, Eric Jensen, and Brent Jenkins that supported the playground shelter. 1994: The Parks General Obligation Bond Measure funded repairs and upgrades at Couch Park. 2003: An updated Couch Park Master Plan was completed. 2012: PP&R removed the monkey bars and several other features due to rotted support beams. Spring 2014: The wooden play structure and stage were removed for safety reasons. A few boulders were placed in the play area to provide some play elements, until funds to renovate the playground would come available. November 2014: Portland voters passed the Parks Replacement Bond which included funding for this project. 2014 - Present: Friends of Couch Playground and Harpers Playground commit to fundraise an additional $500,000 beyond the bond funding in support for Couch Park playground. 40 years of history, and a lot of tax-payers money; it was taking away within a short few years. Park is located NW Downtown; it used to mean something positive. Past six years, homeless have flooded the streets, parks, and our business front door. Criminal elements are on the rise! Makes this very unsafe indeed. Thats a shame.

Kendra Griffin

Its nestled in a nice neighborhood. Dogs can play off leash if they are not runners.... (no fences). Its a nice quiet park, however, in the warmer months it attracts quite a few homeless people. There is a nice little playground area for younger kids. Large mature shade trees and nice lawn maintenance makes it great for small lawn picnics. This park has limited benches and no picnic tables. Overall it is a cute inner neighborhood park.

Ric Rini

Set right in the middle of a nice neighborhood this is a nice park to take a stroll in with huge plentiful Chestnut trees, many shaded areas and rolling hills, the atmosphere of this park is really just splendid. There is a public restroom that does not have a very inviting feel! Its your bare bones public restroom that has definitely been used. Its not appealing (dirty) at all but when you have to go it will serve the purpose.

Luana Arthur

This is a cute little park that my kids really enjoy. They always seem to make new friends when we go there. There are some big rocks for climbing, a play structure that is good for climbing as well, a couple of other fun playground toys, and plenty of room to run. I love the huge trees. They are so tall and stately. There are also some lovely flowers planted here. Lots of dogs come to this park which is always fun to see.

Jerry Vermillion

Great little Park in the middle of the city. Has a dog area where they can run free. Bathroom.... Well the bathroom situation is a major problem. Too many drug related activities go on in that bathroom and I rarely can get into it in a timely manner if at all. But other than that a great place to sit and read a book, play Frisbee or any other activity one likes in a park. Again, right in the middle of the city.

Jonathan Leonard

Kind of sketch city and used to be fun to bring my child, but they took out the cool wooden play structure and slides. Now it is kind of lame. The public bathroom is popular with pimps prostitutes johns and drug deals. I have left the park on multiple occassions because of fights or indecent behavior though to be fair, this is Portland.

Jenelle Peterson

It was a great place to take the pup I was dogsitting. Lots of other dogs and a good open space for fetch. Were there homeless folks? Yeah, but you live in a big city, you cant be surprised there are homeless folks in public parks. It didnt feel unsafe at all, and there were plenty of kids, parents, and puppers enjoying the sunshine.