Laurelhurst Park
Laurelhurst Park | |
---|---|
Type | Urban park |
Location | SE César E. Chávez Blvd. and Stark St. Portland, Oregon |
Coordinates | 45°31′17″N 122°37′35″W / 45.52139°N 122.62639°W |
Area | 32.27 acres (13.06 ha) |
Created | 1909 |
Operated by | Portland Parks & Recreation |
Status | Open 5 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. daily |
Portland Historic Landmark[1] | |
Built | 1909 |
MPS | City Beautiful Movement and Civic Planning in Portland, Oregon MPS |
NRHP reference No. | 01000134 |
Added to NRHP | February 16, 2001 |
Laurelhurst Park is a city park in the neighborhood of
In 1919, the Pacific Coast Parks Association named Laurelhurst Park the "most beautiful park" on the West Coast, and in February 2001 it was the first city park ever to be listed on the National Register of Historic Places.[3]
The park costs the city approximately $274,000 per year to maintain.[4]
History
In 1909, the land that would later become Laurelhurst Park was purchased from the estate of
Features
Laurelhurst Park includes a
Events
The Portland Rose Festival Queen's Coronation used to take place in the park pond "on floating boats and decorated rafts", drawing thousands of visitors.[2][5] Junction City residents often held their annual picnic at Laurelhurst during the 1930s;[6][7] the park has hosted many other picnics and reunions over the years.[8] Easter Sunrise Services were held at the park during the 1950s, also drawing thousands of people.[2]
Ecology
According to Portland Parks & Recreation, the park's ideal duck population is 10 male/female pairs. In 1987, the normal duck population was 120, at times reaching more than 200, including migratory visitors. Murky water problems prompted Portland Parks & Recreation to attempt reducing the duck population, though an "adopt-a-duck" program was unsuccessful as the birds proved to be too difficult to catch.[2]
In 1990, lake sediment was being stirred up by nearly 20,000
Reception
In 1919, the Pacific Coast Parks Association named Laurelhurst Park the "most beautiful park" on the West Coast, and in February 2001 it was the first city park ever to be listed on the National Register of Historic Places.[2][3]
Crime
In February 2008 a woman's body was found partly submerged in the park's pond.[10] In May 2009 a duck was killed after dozens of arrows were shot at waterfowl in Firwood Lake.[11] In February 2010 a man was reportedly held at gunpoint in northeast Portland, forced to drive to Laurelhurst Park, then beaten and sexually assaulted.[12]
See also
- List of parks in Portland, Oregon
- National Register of Historic Places listings in Southeast Portland, Oregon
References
- ^ Portland Historic Landmarks Commission (July 2014), Historic Landmarks -- Portland, Oregon (XLS), retrieved August 12, 2014.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j "Laurelhurst Park". Portland Parks & Recreation. Retrieved February 27, 2010.
- ^ a b "Laurelhurst Pond Restoration". Daily Journal of Commerce. Dolan Media Company. February 24, 2010. Retrieved October 22, 2012.
- ^ Janie, Har (September 24, 2009). "Who gets a park? And at what price?". The Oregonian. Retrieved May 3, 2018.
- ^ "Rose Festival Is Marred By Rains". Lewiston Morning Tribune. Lewiston, Idaho. June 5, 1933. p. 2. Retrieved April 18, 2011.
- ^ "Annual Picnic to Be at Laurelhurst". Eugene Register-Guard. Vol. 87. Eugene, Oregon. July 2, 1934. p. 3. Retrieved April 18, 2011.
- ^ "J.C. Residents At Portland Picnic". Eugene Register-Guard. Vol. 95, no. 19. July 19, 1938. p. 5. Retrieved April 18, 2011.
- ^ "Oregon Veterans To Hold Reunion". Eugene Register-Guard. Vol. 95, no. 33. August 3, 1939. p. 5. Retrieved April 18, 2011.
- ^ "Laurelhurst Park – Firwood Lake Restoration Project". Portland Parks & Restoration. 2011. Retrieved April 17, 2011.
- ^ Mitchell, Kay (February 25, 2008). "Updated: Body from Laurelhurst Park pond identified as missing Portland woman". The Oregonian. Retrieved April 18, 2011.
- KATU. Retrieved April 18, 2011.
- ^ Bernstein, Maxine (February 26, 2010). "Portland police investigate sexual assault in Laurelhurst Park". The Oregonian. Retrieved April 18, 2011.