Design

The Hidden History of North Portland's Flower-Powered Peninsula Park

With its sunken garden and lusty pink blooms, the park was part of our young city's frenzy for roses.

05/22/2018 By Kate Bryant

Parks Policy

What's the Hold-Up with Oregon's New Office of Outdoor Recreation?

We called the parks agency to find out.

04/27/2018 By Sarah Hutchins

Travel

The Insider's Weekend Guide to Bend

Here's where to eat, shop, hike, float, and golf in the happiest city in the Oregon high desert.

04/24/2018 By Ramona DeNies

Urban Nature

3 New Ways for Portlanders to Get Outdoors in 2018

Start your Fitbits: this year, the Green Loop makes a Sunday Parkways cameo, several city parks get a facelift, and an east side dock opens to summer swimmers.

01/17/2018 By Sarah Hutchins

Light a Fire 2017: Most with the Least

This Tiny Nonprofit Brings Environmental Ed to Kids across Portland

Students get dirty with Ecology in Classrooms & Outdoors.

10/16/2017 By Benjamin Tepler

Fire Lookouts

Washington's Heybrook Lookout Tower Just Reopened and We're in Love

One of the state's two fire lookout rentals was closed for years. Now—thanks in part to Seattle outfitter Filson—you can once again stay in this Pacific Northwest treasure.

09/11/2017 By Ramona DeNies

Parks

Happy 100th Birthday, International Rose Test Garden!

Celebrate the Portland park—100 years old this summer—that inspired writer Katherine Dunn's cult classic Geek Love.

08/22/2017 By Ramona DeNies and Rachel Wilson

Field of Dreams

An Oregon Professor Sets Out to Build a Park in Cairo

The Egyptian capital could get a greenspace worthy of a leafy Portland neighborhood.

08/14/2017 By Bryanna Briley

Division/Clinton: Activities

5 Places to Play in Portland's Division/Clinton Neighborhood

Get arty, take a Scandi steam, or do the Time Warp, again—this hood has plenty of ways to hold your attention.

08/08/2017 Edited by Kelly Clarke

Family

20+ Ideas for Family Fun in Portland

We’ve got 10 gold-standard destinations and off-the-radar alternatives that will blow your little ones’ little minds.

06/30/2017 Edited by Fiona McCann By Zach Dundas, Margaret Seiler, and Kelly Clarke

Urban Trails

Gateway Green, an Urban Park in the Works for 12 Years, Is Open

Portland's new oasis for mountain biking and urban hiking is wedged between two highways.

06/20/2017 By Rachel Wilson

Forest Park: The Future

Forest Park Is About to Change—For Better or Worse

After decades of dreaming, big shifts—from a shiny visitors center to mountain bike trails—await the city's crown jewel.

05/15/2017 By Benjamin Tepler

Music

These Composers Channel Our National Parks in Sound

Third Angle presents Solo Hikes: three specially commissioned pieces, two nights, one passion.

04/03/2017 By Lauren Kershner

Family

20+ Ideas for Family Fun in Portland

We’ve got 10 gold-standard destinations and off-the-radar alternatives that will blow your little ones’ little minds.

01/23/2017 Edited by Fiona McCann By Kelly Clarke, Zach Dundas, and Margaret Seiler

Pets: Where the Wild Things Are

Five Favorite Portland Dog Parks

With 33 patches of off-leash, dog-friendly romping zones in city parks, how do you decide?

01/23/2017 By Rachel Ritchie

Politics

Three Oregon Environmental Leaders Brace Themselves for Trump

From public lands to parks funding to climate policy, it’s going to be a rocky ride.

11/23/2016 By Portland Monthly Staff

Nature Calling

Oregon Parks Waive Fees for Friday after Thanksgiving

Too many holiday sweet potatoes? Gather up the clan—or go refreshingly solo—for free outdoor therapy on "Green" Friday.

11/15/2016 By Rebecca Jacobson and Ramona DeNies

Light a Fire 2016: Game-Changing Project

Friends of Nadaka Unites a Gresham Neighborhood to Create a Park

Complete with bird walks, play spaces, and a community garden—and soon Gresham’s first handicapped-accessible swing.

10/10/2016 By Regina Winkle-Bryan

NPS Centennial

Happy Birthday, National Parks—We Got You Something Nice!

This month, the National Park Service turns 100 years old. We found six amazing items to trick out your celebration.

08/08/2016 By Marisa Russell and Ramona DeNies

Outdoors

Watch This Hang-Glider Try to Catch Sweet, Sweet Air in Clinton Park

The "majesty of flight" indeed.

08/05/2016 By Marty Patail