Lillis-Albina Park is a gem of greenspace next to Harriet Tubman Middle School.
The central sports fields are surrounded by a nature patch started in 2018. The nature patch continues to expand around the edges of the park each year. It features Pacific Coast Hybrid Irises, Seaside Daisy, Thimbleberry, Mahonia, Rockrose, Manzanita, and much more.
Meet one of your city's expert horticulture staff for a fun-filled gardening event at a nature patch near you.
Sign up to help plant with us to expand the nature patch this winter.
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.
Until 1947, this was known as Albina Park, since it is in what was once the City of Albina. In 1941, some residents requested that the park be renamed Mike Lillis Park. Michael Edward Lillis was a police officer on the Albina Park beat who was well-liked in that neighborhood. He had been a strong advocate for the park and the children in that area. Other neighbors felt that the park should keep its original name. In 1947, there was a compromise and since then the park has been named Lillis-Albina Park.