Columbia Park Tree Tour
Take a virtual tour of the trees at Columbia Park
Columbia Park Nature Patch
Established in 2020, this natural forest landscape has a floral lawn planted with crocuses, flat-top log benches and boulders, a network of walking paths, and a unique selection of pollinator-pleasing plants. The project repurposed an underutilized and degraded area of the park to give the picnic areas around the cottage a cohesive theme.
Learn more about Nature Patches in Portland
Portland Parks & Recreation is adding nature patches to developed park landscapes to provide natural experiences for people and habitat for wildlife. Nature patches are unique natural garden spaces that support native pollinators and offer fun opportunities for education and exploration.
In 1891, the City of Albina bought a tract of wooded land to be used for Albina's first park, however, it wasn't developed until after Albina consolidated with the City of Portland. In 1909, G.H. Hoch, the head gardener for Washington Park, oversaw the design work for Columbia Park. He patterned the park after a famous park in Berlin, Germany. Columbia Cottage was built in 1940 and has served as a field house, dance hall, and National Guard command center. In 1989, when the city wanted to build a parking lot for Columbia Pool, the neighborhood banded together and saved the magical cottage. The cottage is operated by the Friends of Columbia Park.