Dirksen Nature Park — Attraction in Tigard

Update 27JUL2018

Park trail experiencing a closure and upgrades with a restroom. See added picture for the notice. Seems they'll be installing a 1600sq ft shelter, play areas, and restrooms. My only concern is with the amount of vagrants here already...

Update 6FEB2018 Seems TRK updated and changed some trails west of the wetlands viewing area. They laid down some fresh bark dust and abandon the usually wet trail to the NW. Also I added a pic of the wetlands viewing area taken just now for an idea of what you're looking at.

Now if they just fix the trail through the back field so it's not a swamp year round...

Original review.

I go here about 3-4 times a week with my four legged kids and run em till they drop. I'm actually hesitant to give a description of this place because I like it being a hidden gem of Tigard. But here goes and maybe you can enjoy it too.

First the satellite pictures are not current. The entire North end was scalped due to invasive species and a natural path was installed to take you through the remaining forest into the open field. Unsure the future plan.

Second, you need to know why you're coming here. There is a nice paved path that cuts through the east side good for runners/bikers/walkers/strollers. Otherwise you have an open field with an old baseball fence, some walking trails, the forest and the creek. Also the natural trails continue on to exercise stations on the west end of the field. Plenty of open space, but no "day use" spaces with restrooms, picnic tables etc.. Just open space.

Third, parking is sparse. There is exactly 8 spots at SW Tigard St & Sw Twin Peak on the south side of Tigard St. This is officially the parking area and the dirt nature trail starts here. Good for walking/running, not for strollers. Additional parking on SW Tiedeman where the trails cross the road and by the track. Parking here is super busy during school drop off and pick up times. Lastly, you can park at Fowler Middle School itself and walk northward. Again, parking is shut down during school drop off and pickup times and is posted as such. Also the trails connect to SW 113th Pl to the west, but respect the residents there and there is no parking for non residence guests.

Also you'll find vagrants, or evidence there of, during the nice weather. Specifically in the small forested patch directly north of the open field. Never had any issues with em, but they're quite messy and parents of younger kids would be wise to have some caution. Also when school starts there's always more trash left by the students passing through.

Now with all that why do you want to go? No park "nazis," it's rarely busy enough to see more than 4 people, and almost always respectful dog owners with dogs off leash who actually clean up after them. There is a 6' leash law and cleanup required, so plan accordingly. There are great trails through the forest for running those dogs and plenty of opportunities for them to jump in the creek if they're water dogs and you like giving baths. Cause they'll need it.

Wet season brings a good majority of the forested area to the west and the NW corner of the open field to either under water or so muddy you'll appreciate some rubber boots.

There is an outhouse/honey bucket in the SW corner of the field chained to the lawn maintenance shed. Otherwise no other bathroom facilities are present.

On warmer mondays there's always model plane enthusiasts there flying and will let anybody whose interested join in. Sundays has a cricket league. Seasonal soccer, baseball, lacrosse, movies in the park, etc... All happen at different times. If you want, bring the young kids for a baseball game at fowler and have em chase foul balls for free snow cones.

They're currently adding what appears to be a nature look out platform in the wetlands area just west of the open field. That'll be interesting.

But most off all, stay off my black berries! They're ready during August /...

Tge brand new play structure is cute. There is some small seats under the structure where kids can play and get a little shade. There is a covered area with at least one table, unfortunately it faces toward the field and not toward the playground so it's not a convenient place for shade or a potluck if you plan to have your kids play on the play structure at the same time. Also, there is no proper shaded area for parents or little ones near the playground so you have to stay out in the blazing sun if you want to be near your children while they play. The park has some cute wood carvings that may or may not stand up to weather (and hopefully not become vandalized). Parking is awful! You either park on the side of the road near Fowler Middle School on Tiedeman or the side of the road off of Tigard Street. Then you have to walk down a path (part of the Fanno Creek Trail) to get to the actual playground. I'd suggest a stroller or wagon if you have the type of kids that are too tired to walk after a trip to the park. Overall, I'm not sure how likely I am to return to this park. I prefer places I can easily and safely get in and out of quickly with my three kids. There are parks better suited...

This park is definitely one of Portland’s “hidden gems”. Easy to access from several locations, it has a multitude of wide open trails which intersect at various points and are excellent for walking/running either with a buddy (the human or canine kind) or alone if looking for some peace and solitude.

This park can confidently be used year-round as the trees provide ample shade from the heat of the sun’s rays in the summer, and the type of ground cover present on the trails helps to prevent them from becoming overly muddy throughout the rainy winters.

On a side note, make sure to be heads up if using the cross walk on the trail that crosses Tigard Street as the surrounding trees can sometimes make it difficult for oncoming traffic to clearly see pedestrians, so they may fail to slow down. Always better to be safe than sorry…

But overall, A++ for this little piece of...