Gresham Main City Park

I met some coworkers and their dogs here last week. I thought it wasn’t a bad park. So I came back yesterday evening myself with my dog. Unlike the time before there were no families or children playing. The covered picnic area was crawling with homeless people & people on drugs. People were drinking, I saw a man throw a Jack Daniels bottle. Drunk men slurred and yelled at me and my dog as we walked by. There was a woman sitting there completely topless. Police patrols were coming through the park, but it didn’t intimidate the homeless population.
I have to walk past the covered area to the small off leash dog area. It’s not worth it. I will not be going back anytime after probably 3.

I have lived near this park for about ten years, eagerly waiting for much needed upgrades to make this a fun and safe place for children and families. In the last couple years, the city spent a lot of time and tax payer money to add drainage systems, connect the park to the Spring Water trail, and build a skate park… All seemingly good ideas, but there is no actual play structure (just ancient separated play equipment), and no amenities for small children. Unfortunately, the park has become a magnet for the homeless Portland bicycle circuit. The covered area in the center of the park is now completely unusable to the general community, there are constant fights, people throwing beer bottles at each other (I personally witnessed this), as homeless people have made this a year-​round covered campsite. This park, being in the center of the historic Gresham area, should be the jewel of the city, but instead is the only Park I avoid in town. My advice is to avoid this park and go to Bella Vista a few miles away.

It wasn’t easy to find the skate park. Wish I knew ahead of time that it had its own parking lot. When we first got here my son was sad that that the skate area was small, but it’s well designed and he is having a blast. Not sure if its cool if my 13 year brought his mom but oh well :)

I like this park, I really do but unfortunately the area has gotten a bit more seedy and I have heard about undesirables hanging around the park now. Last time I took my son there, there was a group of rowdy guys there smoking and drinking beers in brown paper bags. The equipment for play is somewhat new and they have 2 play areas. One for younger kids (toddler age) and the other for older kids. It’s a nice place to take the kids when there aren’t weirdos hanging around. I still prefer the imagination station in Troutdale.