Southeast Portland’s Berrydale Park Reopens After Major Improvements

(Portland, OR) –

Portland Parks & Recreation (PP&R) invites the community to celebrate the grand reopening of Berrydale Park in Southeast Portland’s Montavilla neighborhood on Friday, August 8, from 3:00 to 6:00 p.m. The event is free and open to everyone.

View full size image of The new Berrydale Park playground as park visitors enjoy it

Berrydale Park has undergone significant renovations and now features a brand-new playground, a skateboarding area, improved pathways, upgraded lighting, street enhancements, newly planted trees, and much more. Deputy City Administrator for Public Works Priya Dhanapal will be attending and offering brief remarks, as will City Councilors Tiffany Koyama Lane and Angela Morillo.

"Berrydale Park’s transformation shows what’s possible when we invest in strong infrastructure and work across city teams," said Dhanapal. "Portland Parks & Recreation and the Portland Bureau of Transportation delivered not just a playground and skate area, but safer streets, better lighting, improved accessibility, and resilient park infrastructure that will serve the Montavilla community for decades to come."

Park improvements include:

• A new playground
• A dedicated skateboarding area
• New park lighting
• Accessible pathways throughout the park
• New accessible picnic tables
• Additional benches, drinking fountains, and trash cans
• An expanded Portland Community Garden, with new fences and gates
• Baseball field upgrades, including accessible bleachers, a revitalized infield, and a new irrigation system
• Street improvements thanks to PBOT, including a new sidewalk, curbs, curb ramps, and street trees along the south side of SE Taylor Street
• New walkways, stormwater drainage, landscaping, and curb ramps on SE 89th Avenue

View full size image of The newly improved Berrydale Park as sun dapples the tree canopy

“The reopening of Berrydale Park is a beautiful example of what happens when public resource investments are driven through a definition of public safety and livability,” says District 3 City Councilor Tiffany Koyama Lane. “That includes safe spaces for our children, families, and communities to gather and play.”

"I’m thrilled to celebrate the reopening of Berrydale Park – a cherished space for families and neighbors in Montavilla to connect, play, and heal,” says District 3 Councilor Angelita Morillo. “When we invest in shared green spaces, we invest in community safety and wellbeing. I’m proud to represent this beautiful neighborhood and am excited for its bright future."

Project Funding:

The total project budget was approximately $4.76 million, funded by a combination of sources:

• $4 million from System Development Charges (SDCs), including $800,000 allocated for Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT) Local Improvement District (LID) sidewalk and right-of-way upgrades
• $650,000 from the PP&R Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Transition Program to improve park accessibility
• Over $100,000 from the PP&R maintenance fund to add new playground equipment, including a teeter-totter

System Development Charges (SDCs) are one-time fees paid by new development projects. They are not funded by general tax dollars and help ensure Portland’s parks and infrastructure keep pace with the city’s growth.

PP&R community engagement efforts during the summer of 2021 identified key community priorities, including the skateboard area. 

Portland Parks & Recreation has conducted significant research to understand the city’s need for skateparks. For more information, see the 2008 Skatepark System Plan.

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