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Label:
Parks
Label:
Active
This project will redevelop George Park with new expanded playground, with accessible pathways, lighting, and updated amenities.
Summer 2024 to Summer 2028
Location description
7240 N Fessenden St, Portland, Or 97203
Stay Informed and Involved
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Project Overview
George Park is a 2.6-acre (115,200 square feet) developed park in North Portland's St Johns neighborhood, located along N Fessenden Street between N Calhoun and N Burr. on the site of the original George Grade School. The park includes a playground, walking path, lighting, picnic table, drinking fountain, and open lawn.
The George Park redevelopment project will add recreation equipment and infrastructure, improve safety by adding lights and paved pathways, add native and pollinator plants, and create more opportunities for gathering in an outdoor space.
The project,initiated by community members, is a partnership between Portland Parks & Recreation (PP&R), The Kidz Outside (TKO), and the Portland Parks Foundation (PPF). It began in 2019 when residents formed TKO to advocate for improvements at George Park and ensure the park reflects the values, culture, and needs of the St. Johns community.
Partnerships, Funding, and Advocacy
TKO has been advocating for reimagining George Park since 2019. Through surveys, youth leadership, public events, and building relationships with community partners and elected officials, TKO helped generate the public support and momentum that made this project possible.
Their work directly contributed to securing public and philanthropic funding for park improvements:
- $300,000 from the Portland Parks Foundation to support a new play structure and accessible surfacing through the Everybody Plays Playground Campaign.
- $3 million from PP&R in System Development Charges (SDCs) for park improvements
- $750,000 from the State of Oregon for new lighting and accessible pathways, secured through community advocacy and partnership with State Representative Travis Nelson
These investments reflect years of community leadership, advocacy, and collaboration led by TKO, and a shared commitment to improving George Park for the St. Johns community.
Improvements and Community Outcomes
Project improvements will update existing amenities, improve accessibility, and support long-term park use.
Play and Activity
- Expanded playground with rubberized playground surfacing
- Teen and Adult Activity Area
- A full-size basketball court
- Inclusive design principles
Park Access and Site Improvements
- Accessible Pathways
- New Park Lighting
- Central Turf Lawn – great for community events and informal hangouts
- Updated Park Amenities - benches, picnic tables, bike racks, drinking fountain, trash cans
- Gathering Spaces – clustered, shaded picnic tables
- Improved Curb Ramps and Sidewalk Repairs
Land Stewardship
- Mature tree preservation
- Landscaping with native plants and pollinators
The final design will be based on available funding, maintenance and operation needs, and community input
Project Phases and Schedule
- Spring 2024 – Winter 2026:
- Project Start-up, Partnership Development, Conceptual Design and Analysis
- Summer 2024 - Winter 2026:
- Concept Development and Community Engagement
- Fall 2024 to Winter 2026 Project Advisory Committee recruitment, onboarding and meetings
- Summer-Fall 2025 Community Engagement 1: initial design concepts, amenities, and playground style themes.
- December 2025 through March 2026 Community Engagement 2: Shared refined designs and highlighted how feedback shaped layouts, playground options, and amenities. Invited final input before moving to technical construction documents
- Concept Development and Community Engagement
- Spring 2026 to Fall 2026:
- Permitting, Construction Documentation, and Bidding
- Regional Arts & Culture Council (RACC) public art process
- Winter 2027 - Spring 2028
- Construction and public art installation
- Summer 2028:
- Park Grand Opening
- Post Opening:
- Community stewardship and volunteer opportunities. Ongoing efforts coordinated through PP&R's partnership team and future community or friends' groups
Winter/Spring 2026 Project Update Presentation
Recorded presentation with project background, community feedback, and current designs.
Current Community Engagement
Thank you for participating in the Community Design Check-In
Results of the Community Survey will be post to the project page soon.
Previous Community Engagement
Community Design Check-In
The George Park Project is in the final phase of community input. During the month of February 2026, the project team is sharing what we've heard so far and how that feedback shaped the current park and playground designs. Community members are invited to review the refined designs and help inform final decisions about overall park design concept, playground layout, and amenities before construction documents are finalized.
El Proyecto del Parque George se encuentra en la fase final de participación comunitaria. Estamos compartiendo lo que hemos escuchado hasta ahora y cómo esos comentarios han influido en los diseños actuales del parque y del área de juegos.
Se invita a los miembros de la comunidad a revisar los diseños refinados y ayudar a informar las decisiones finales sobre el concepto general del parque, la distribución del área de juegos y las comodidades antes de que se finalicen los documentos de construcción.
- Ver un video de actualización del proyecto (audio en inglés, subtítulos cerrados en español)
- Ver paneles de diseño (PDF en español)
- Ver paneles de diseño (PDF en inglés)
Community Survey - Results and Feedback
Thank you to everyone who shared their time and input on the George Park survey!
From August 23 through September 14, we heard from more than 117 community members through the online survey and in-person activities. Your feedback is helping shape the playground design, style themes, and park amenities. Here is what we heard:
Preferred Design Concept: The Three Loops concept emerged as the strong community favorite, and the design team will be moving forward with refining this option in the next stage of design.
Playground Style Preferences: Survey participants showed the most support for a blend of Natural and Sculptural play styles. The community asked for play features that feel unique yet timeless, engaging children in creative and active play they can return to again and again. Traditional playground elements were ranked lowest.
Community Priorities: Feedback emphasized the importance of accessibility, shade, and preserving trees, along with the addition of gathering spaces and amenities. A restroom was one of the most frequent requests, especially given the expanded playground and new basketball court.
View the full Community Survey Summary linked below.
George Park Project at TKO Fest 4
Thank you to all who were able to join us at TKO Fest Saturday, August 23, at George Park!
The PP&R project team, alongside project partners, introduced three park design concepts, site amenities and playground style options.
Despite the heat, there was a great turn out at TKO Fest, and it was a great evening connecting with community to share project materials and hear feedback.
Come see new park design concepts and share your input at TKO Fest 4 at George Park!
This summer we’re joining the celebration with our project partners at the fourth annual summer event to connect with neighbors where they’ll already be gathering.
At the project table you can:
- View concept designs for the George Park redesign
- Share your ideas and feedback with the project team
- Learn more about next steps in the project
Click on this link to see project materials shared at TKO FEST
About TKO Fest 4: Summer Free For All event features live music, kids’ activities, food, back-to-school supply giveaways, and performances. Learn more about Summer Free for All - Cultural Events | Portland.gov
Access Information:
- George Park has limited ADA Accessible pathways. The event will primarily take place on a grass lawn without pathways.
- Located along bus line 4, which run frequently every day of the week.
- Street parking available nearby
Request an ADA accommodation or call 503-823-4000, Relay Service: 711.
Project Advisory Committee
The Project Advisory Committee (PAC) will provide valuable input throughout the development of the George Park Project.
George Park Project Advisory Committee Members
Egbevado Ananouko, Sadie Atwell, Shannon Ayuyu, Lisa Erényi, Jessica Fletcher, Andre McCowan, David Rodriguez, Courtney Savoie, Neal Spinler, Kelly Tadlock, Glenn Waco, Courtney Wilson.
Role overview
- Committee members will also help realize the goal for a welcoming and inclusive process to identify the community's priorities and to ensure creation of a plan that addresses community needs.
- A stipend of up to $500 will be offered to committee members for their time.
- The Committee will meet 4-5 times from Winter 2024 - 2025.
- PAC members are also encouraged to attend the 3 Community Engagement (CE) Events as advocates for the guiding principles of the project.
Project Advisory Committee Meetings
- George Park PAC Onboarding: Tuesday, November 19, 2024
- George Park PAC Meeting One: Wednesday, December 4, 2024
- George Park PAC Meeting Two: Thursday, February 6, 2025
- George Park PAC Meeting Three: Wednesday, August 13, 2025