Lake Grove Swim Park — Attraction in Lake Oswego

I'm just writing this because other reviews have so much misunderstanding and misinformation in them. This park has a very unique history dating back to the middle of the 20th century when the Oregon Iron and Steel Company deeded this park to what was then Lake Grove School District. In 1959, LGSD merged with LOSD, but the park became a special public entity known as the Lake Grove Park District, so that a very small percentage of the property tax from this area would continue to maintain this park. The restrictive deed still prohibits anyone other than LOSD students and District residents from using this park. All this information is publicly posted at the Lake Oswego School District (which manages the park on behalf of the Park District) website for everyone to see. The upshot is that this park is restricted by the old property deed and it is nearly impossible to change that fact, even by an action of the city council or the county commission.

You just have to happen to live within the District boundaries, which includes most of western Lake Oswego, unincorporated communities of Lake Forest and Rosewood, as well as the Clackamas County portion of the city of Rivergrove (if your ZIP Code is 97035 and you are in Clackamas County, you're likely part of the District), you do not have to "own a property on the lake" (actually many of those people are outside the District, too!). You might be surprised to know that there are quite a few income-restricted and age-restricted apartments within the District boundaries, not just "rich elites" as some may characterize.

If you live in the District, the pass is free and admission is free. Yes, it's only open for about two months out of the year (mid-June through late August). The park seems to be staffed mostly by high school students. The park also has equipment rental and a snack bar.

Like every park, there are rules. They are also posted on the LOSD website (go to "Lake Grove Swim Park" under the "Community Programs" section). Mostly those rules are there for safety.

And there are other things to do than swimming. There are several picnic tables, two barbecue grills, a fire pit, two ping-pong tables, and a play structure.

Pass holders can bring up to 5 guests who do not need to reside in...

We love this swim park! We obtained an annual pass by showing our property tax statement, and the location of our home was verified with the boundary map. Only LOSD students and homes located within the Lake Grove School district boundary map have access. Note that public access to water up to the ordinary high water mark is only from Millennium park.

We appreciate the grassy area to setup chairs or towels under the shade of the Douglas fir trees. There are about 8 picnic tables and a couple benches. There is a play structure (best for kids 8 and under), bathrooms, 3 basketball hoops with a small paved area, a couple old bad mitten nets, garbage and recycle bins, and a place to purchase snack, slushies, candy, and popsicles (card accepted). No alcohol is permitted.

Before the first dock is a shallow area to wade into the water, kids 4' and taller can touch. The dock is in good condition and there are multiple sets of steps to climb up to the dock from the lake. A lifeguard monitors the swimmers.

Pool noodles, life jackets, and swim wings are permitted but floaties are not (sign says they block the lifeguards' view).

You will see boats approach the area but there is a boundary near the park that keeps them from getting too close and making a big wake. Even on a busy warm day, it's not too crowded.

There isn't much parking, but at least...

If Portland made it illegal for residents of Lake Oswego to enter our (tax payer funded) parks, you'd never hear the end of it. But since people in Lake Oswego somehow think they're some elite class of aristocrats, they'll kick you out and call the cops if you don't produce documentation. It's kinda like our own little Leningrad. When I attempted to take some friends visiting from Scotland and Germany we encountered the most pretentious park employees that harassed us until we left. Again, this is a public park, so they cannot legally restrict access. But of course they do. Worst park in the metro area. Probably still a...