The Fields Park — Attraction in Portland

This is mostly a review of the Off Leash Dog Park section of "The Fields" park.

The Off Leash area is hidden far in the back of the park. Dogs are NOT allowed off leash in the large lawn area (despite what one reviewer stated).

The off leash area consists of a very very small sandlot surrounded by a very heavy duty metal bar fence. This small area is then subdivided into a main and a small dog section. The overall ambiance might be described as a 21st Century Medium Security Prison/Litterbox. It seems to have been designed by someone going down a catalog checklist without having the slightest knowledge or interest in dogs.

Among the design foibles: No shade (or life of any kind). The fence has a gap at the bottom just large enough for balls to roll under. There is a water fountain but the pressure is terrible, so it would take a couple minutes to fill a dog bowl. I saw people trying and giving up. There is a spigot but it requires a square key wrench to use. Really, it's just an unpleasant place to be. The two times I visited, there wasn't much interaction and people seemed to enter and leave after just a few minutes.

I didn't spend much time in the larger main park. It's basically a large lawn with no shade. It would be fine for games or sitting in the sun. There is one small bathroom. A "Portland Loo" I think. You could see a pretty good lineup of Mothers/babes waiting their turn. The Children's playground is near the front and appears to have been designed with the same ignorance and carelessness as the dog park, but maybe a parent's eye would see it as a haven. Can't say.

Before the new park opened, there was a temporary off leash dog area in an adjoining lot. It was just a chain link fence around a gravel filled lot with a park bench near the middle. How bleak it was, I thought then. I am absolutely amazed that the actual finished dog park is even...

**Update May 21, 2013.

The Fields officially opened in May 2013.

Playground review: The climbing gym is rated for ages 5-12, and they mean it. There are a few areas a parent could bring a younger child but supervision would be highly encouraged. There is a sand pit with no water resources, so children are constantly getting water from the bathroom and/or water fountain outside the gate. Sand is pretty slippery on the wood/concrete so watch your step. Overall a nice playground but overall I feel was designed by an architect with very little usability input.

Field review: A nice plot of grass. Not huge but it feels bigger than it is with great views of the Fremont bridge. There seems to be enough space that a gentle game of catch/frisbee doesn't get in the way too much with people lounging on the grass.

Dog park: I don't have a dog but I suspect dog owners wish it was a bigger run area. To be expected, especially since the dogs had the whole park to themselves before construction.

Overall: Looks like a great place for summer events. The surrounding neighborhood is constantly in flux, so I expect the park will become an even more valuable resource in the...

Awesome Place To Relax With or Without Babies With or Without Fur!

~ I mainly go here because there is a smaller dog pin that isn't often used, and since being attacked a couple times my pup has become an a$$hole, so typically no new dogs. He has managed to successfully play with 2 dogs here, but one he growled at once another dog came...the Husky and the dog he was just playing with. So I like to play it safe and this park allows it.

~ I however do enjoy to eat lunch here sometimes because they have picnic tables and the vibes are nice, the view of the shiney buildings is sometimes cool too. They look like pearls lol. I noticed a lot of people sun bath, do yoga, walk laps, and run here too. It seems to be a great place to do anything, the popular hang out spot in The Pearl.

~ The people seem nice; great place to feel at ease and "normal" in the middle of...