Gabriel Park Inclusive Playground Project

Parks

Completed

A new, more inclusive and accessible play area has replaced the playground at SW 37th Avenue and Vermont Street.

The playground opened to the community on Saturday, May 14, 2022.

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Project Overview

Thanks to funding from the Parks Replacement Bond and System Development Charges, Gabriel Park's playground was replaced with a new, more inclusive and accessible play area. The playground is located at SW 37th Avenue and Vermont Street.

Through a project advisory committee and open house events, the community helped guide the development of the design for an inclusive playground.

Watch this video of the grand opening of the new, inclusive Gabriel Park playground!

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Project Updates

May 14, 2022

The playground is now open to the public. Enjoy!

April 2022

Please join Parks Commissioner Carmen Rubio and Director Adena Long at the Gabriel Park Play Date on Saturday, May 14, 2022, 10:30am - 12:30pm.

Join the party to celebrate your new playground
Free cake and activities

Día del juego en Gabriel Park - Sábado, 14 de mayo, 10:30am - 12:30pm:

Únase a la fiesta para celebrar su nueva área de juego
Habrá pastel y actividades gratuitas

February 2022

Construction is still underway, with expected completion later this spring. Continued winter weather conditions and supply chain issues and staffing challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic could have impacts on the project completion date, but we currently expect to open to the community by early May 2022. We will update once we have more certainty. Thanks for your patience. We are excited to see the community experience this new inclusive playground and to better serve all Portlanders!

March 2021

Construction will begin the week of March 22, 2021, with expected completion in Spring 2022. The entire playground will be closed during construction, as well as adjacent pathways and the restroom. Temporary portable toilets will be provided. Thanks for your patience while we build your new, inclusive playground!

The new Gabriel Park play area will feature:

Accessible routes to all play equipment
An inclusive spinner that allows users to wheel or walk on, promoting collaborative play
Swings for people of all abilities and ages
Brightly colored smooth rubber safety surfacing throughout the play area
Interactive sensory panels that provide a range of texture, sight, and auditory engagement for all users
Two accessible slides for all users; one low, wide slide that can accommodate individuals or an individual and a caregiver side-by-side, and one tall tube slide with transfer platforms at the top and bottom for mobility device users
Small rubber mounds to assist in scrambling up the hillside
An in-ground trampoline
A climbing wall and inclusive climbing dome to encourage creative play and social interaction
Interactive music elements and water play features for sensory play and social interaction
A perimeter fence for safety
Seating areas and quiet spots to take a break
Accessible picnic area with drinking fountain and bike racks for gatherings
Accessible pathways from the parking lot, SW Vermont Street, and from the TriMet bus stop at SW 37th Avenue
Parking, curb ramp, street connections, and restroom accessibility improvements
50 new trees

August 2019

Thanks to everyone who participated in the Gabriel Park Inclusive Playground design process!

View Open House #3 presentation boards:

June 2018

City of Portland Commissioner Amanda Fritz and Portland Parks & Recreation announced on June 11, 2018 that Gabriel Park will be the site of the next inclusive playground in the PP&R system. The new playground will become a “destination” site, with a footprint of about 10,000 square feet, up from 3,250 square feet. Inclusive playgrounds provide a rich play experience, addressing physical, sensory, and social needs of all children and their caregivers, and are designed with universal accessibility in mind, accommodating everyone and challenging them at their own developmental level. The project is anticipated to include the new inclusive playground as well as pathway and parking improvements.

Project Advisory Committee Members

Linda Akagi, Amina Ali, AngeLeah Andersen, Annika Abel, Renee Becerra, Sarah Bedrick, Evelyn Cannon, Fatma Hajimohamed, Chris Hathaway, Tilda Hathaway, Ryan Jacobson, Myrlaviani Perez-Rivier, Samuel Sennott.