Project Overview
Raymond Park opened in 1993 and covers almost six acres in Outer East Portland. It has a playground, splash pad, basketball court, horseshoe pit, paved paths, and picnic tables. An accessible Loo was installed as part of the 2014 Replacement Bond. In 2022, Nike and the Portland Trail Blazers helped fix the basketball court.
Raymond Park is one of three playgrounds which are part of the Portland Parks FoundationEverybody Plays Campaign With support from generous donations, the old playground equipment at Raymond Park will be replaced with new play equipment and rubber safety tile.
This project will also improve the drainage between the splash pad and the Loo, so the splash pad doesn’t get clogged and remains open. The new playground will be for kids ages 2-12 and will offer a wide variety of play experiences.
Project Timeline
Summer 2024 - Fall 2024: Design Development and Community Engagement
Fall 2024 - Winter 2024: Construction Documents
Winter 2025 - Spring 2025: Permitting and Bidding
Spring 2025 - Summer 2025: Construction
Construction Timeline
Spring 2025: Crews will prepare the site by installing fencing around the play area.
Construction Period: The work will take 2–4 months, with the playground closed during this time. The loop walking path, basketball court, and other areas of Raymond Park will remain open during construction.
Community Engagement
In Summer 2024, as part of the Everybody Plays Campaign, Portland Parks & Recreation and Portland Parks Foundation initiated a community engagement process to inform the redesign of the new Raymond Park Playground. In July, a Community Play Day event was held which activated the park with fun games, crafts, food, and music for the whole family. Community viewed potential designs and provided feedback on the design options and many components for the new Raymond Park Playground.
Thank you for sharing your input and ranking design options for the playground!
Survey Results and Feedback:
- Preferred Design Options: The final design blends elements from two options, incorporating adventurous towers for older children and a smaller play structure for younger kids. A "clubhouse" structure was also added based on community feedback. The color scheme features soft blues and greens to create a calming atmosphere. The rubber play tiles are arranged in shades of blue, green, and brown mimicking a "land and river" design to enhance imaginative play and blend with the natural surroundings.
- Community Priorities: The design prioritizes accessibility and inclusivity, with features like smooth rubber tiles for easier movement and sensory elements such as hand drums, bells, and a rain panel accessible to all ages and abilities and a group rocker that was an overwhelming favorite from those who provided design input. A communication board was included to support non-verbal communication.
- Play Area Preferences: The community preferred a play area supports both group and solo play, with creative play elements like a ship-themed steering wheel and periscope. The playground also offers physical challenges through spinning, rocking, and climbing activities to engage children at various skill levels.
Final Playground Design:
This design was shaped by the community through feedback collected at an in-person Play Day and the online survey. Thank you for helping us create a playground that reflects your vision.
Final Tile Design:
Design Options
See the full list of playground color, component, panel, climber, and slide options in the document below.
Stay Informed and Involved
We want to make sure you have the newest information.
Raymond Park Playground Project news and updates will be provided on this project page and through our project email list. Enter your email address on the Raymond Park Playground Project Contact List and we will also include you in an email alert every time we post a project update.