Congress Square Park

Watch a great movie on a Sunday Summer night, dance parties during the week! Great food trucks part-​time daily. First Friday Artwalks, live music and small productions. Unless there’s a blizzard, there is always something great here. Bring some bread to feed the hand pigeons!

History lessons with Steffasaurus: Congress Squark Park, an open and public concrete space — and home to Union Station Clock -, was created through an urban renewal project in the early 80’s. Overtime it became neglected. At one point the city of Portland was going to sell the park to the Westin so they could create conference rooms and an events center. That’s when the Friends of Congress Square Park — a non-​profit dedicated to the revitalization, «preservation, enhancement and use of» the park — petitioned for a citizen’s referendum. In the end, the sale was denied and a ballot initiative protected it, along with 25 other public spaces, from being sold.
Cool, right?
This once deteriorated park has become a hub for arts, entertainment, and community togetherness.
Over the course of the past many years I have…
— Been entertained by the Circus Conservatory of America
— Listened to the Maine Marimba Ensemble perform
— Watched fire jugglers
— Looked at art
— Admittedly eaten a burrito on the steps while trying to sober up during First Friday
— Played an impromptu game of kickball (and lost the ball on the roof)
— Gave out samples of cheese at Merry Madness
… in the park.
And that was before all of the great things that are now intentionally planned for the space! Now, there’s…
— free WiFi
— copious amounts of lovely seating
— food trucks
— even more musical and theater performances
— outdoor movies
— dance lessons
— yoga
— kid-​friendly activities
… all in the park.
So impressed and grateful towards the Friends of Congress Square Park for what they’ve done. Bravo, folks! Thank you!

Right outside the doors from my apartment is this small colorful square on the corner of Congress and high street. Featuring free WiFi colorful benches covered and not. Multiple lounge chairs and benches a stage performances small plots of grass entries to
office shade as well as a mural painted on the wall of my building as well as a huge square brick and glass clock. Decorated in orange lime green and shade of aqua it’s a perfect summer spot floor residents of these random apartment and those who work in the neighborhood. Directly across the street from Starbucks it gives their patrons an outdoor patio is well.
Wednesdays and Fridays music is scheduled in the evening and or at lunch content there are movies Saturday mornings offer yoga for kids. A Japanese who truck is often parked as well as a little food stand that makes killer crab or lobster rolls. Plus Otto is feet away with the amazing gluten free pizzas… My favorite small grocery store called Pauls is 3 doors down and an alternative to Starbucks free beverages to consume at or should I say on the square. Yes Books is two doors down next to Vinland if u want a break from social media.
This tiny square is my «back yard» and i LOVE it. I really love the fact that it offers free things to do Portland residents and visitors staying at the hotel next door.