Trail Facts at a Glance
Name: Errol Heights
Location: Between SE 45th and SE 52nd Avenues & Tenino Street, Portland OR 97206
Hours: 5:00 am—10:00pm
Public transit: TriMet buses 75, 71, and 34.
TriMet bus lines 75, 71, and 34 provide access to Errol Heights entrances. Visitors can plan a trip with TriMet using the TriMet trip planner. Visitors can also access the entrances using TriMet Paratransit services. The park is also served by Portland WAV services which visitors can call at 503-865-4928.
Length: variable
Permitted activities include pedestrian use on all trails. Motorized mobility devices allowed for people with disabilities. Dogs on-leash only.
Prohibited activities include off-leash dogs, bicycling, fires, drones, motorized vehicles, camping, hunting and fishing, and possession of firearms.
Date of trail assessment: August 28, 2024
Summary
Errol Heights Park is a 16-acre park with natural areas, improved trails, play and picnic areas, and a sculptural artwork. Errol Heights Park consists of an upper section and a lower section which are connected via an accessible elevated path. The developed portion of the park is in the upper section. The main natural area is in the lower section. A basketball court is located off SE 45th Avenue. Both areas have limited / on-street parking. This detailed profile is focused on the trails in the natural area of the park in the lower section.
The natural area of Errol Heights Park features paths, bridges, and overlooks. There are three types of path surfaces including concrete, compact gravel, and metal grating. Most of the park pathways are at an ADA grade. Read more about accessibility features in Errol Heights Park. Most of the natural area trails feature some shade or tree cover; others have some exposure to the sun, especially in the winter months. There is one gathering circle to the side of the trail featuring rocks for seating, where visitors may pull off the trail to rest. Additionally, there are several overlooks where visitors may stop to rest or experience the natural area. Visitors may encounter wildlife including birds, wetland amphibians, or mammals including beaver, otter, and other species.
The closest public transit is TriMet bus 75, 71, and 34. To access the park from the appropriate stop along any of these lines, the total travel distance is between 400-2,600 feet and the maximum grade from bus lines can range from 6% to over 15%, depending on the route chosen. With all routes, visitors can travel on sidewalk or paved residential street intersections the entire way.
There are multiple entrances to the park. Most provide access to both the upper and lower sections of the park at ADA grades, but the entrance at the intersection of SE 52nd Avenue and SE Tenino Court features steep slopes that exceed ADA grades. See provided map and “Description and Arrival” below for more details.
There is no parking lot dedicated to Errol Heights Park, but street parking is available near all the entrances. See “Description and Arrival” below for more details.
This is a very popular park and is used frequently by families, hikers with dogs, and runners. Use is highest on the weekends and during the warmer, drier months.
Location and Arrival
Errol Heights Park is located between SE 45th & SE 52nd Avenues, and SE Harney Street & SE Tenino Street and SE Tenino Court. It can be located on Google Maps.
Entrances
There are several entrances to Errol Heights Park. For close access to the upper section of the park, which features paved sidewalks, the skatepark, restroom, picnic tables, art installation, and play structures, visitors should use entrances along SE Tenino Drive or at the terminus of SE Tenino Court. For closer access to the lower section of the park, which features gravel trails and viewing platforms overlooking the wetland, visitors should use the entrance along SE 45th Avenue (between SE Umatilla Street and SE Tenino Street). Note: the entrance at SE Tenino Court & SE 52nd Avenue provides access to the lower section, but features downhill slopes of a maximum of 19% to reach this portion of the park.
The primary accessibility features of each entrance are noted in the list below.
Trailhead 1: Along SE 45th Avenue between SE Umatilla Street and SE Tenino Street
- What to expect: This entrance provides access to gravel trails that traverse the lower section of the park. It also provides access to the upper section of the park via an ADA-grade, slip-resistant fiberglass and metal elevated path that traverses up a slope. 45th Avenue at this location is relatively steep and features on-street parking only. The park entrance is marked by a sign. The trail is gravel and ADA-grade, mostly traversing through trees with some areas more exposed to the sunlight.
- What to expect: This entrance provides access to gravel trails that traverse the lower section of the park. It also provides access to the upper section of the park via an ADA-grade, slip-resistant fiberglass and metal elevated path that traverses up a slope. 45th Avenue at this location is relatively steep and features on-street parking only. The park entrance is marked by a sign. The trail is gravel and ADA-grade, mostly traversing through trees with some areas more exposed to the sunlight.
Trailheads 2-4: Along SE Tenino Drive between SE 45th Avenue and SE Nehalem Street
- What to expect: There are three entrances to the park along SE Tenino Drive that provide access to the upper section of the park:
- Trailhead 2: Close to the intersection of SE Tenino Drive and SE 45th Avenue – a gravel path with grades of 5-13% that leads through a small part of the natural area to the developed park;
- Trailhead 3: Midway along SE Tenino Drive close to the skatepark, with access via paved sidewalks; and
- Trailhead 4: Closer to the top of SE Tenino Drive near the Community Garden, with access via paved sidewalks. Visitors can also access the lower section of the park using these entrances, via an ADA-grade fiberglass and metal elevated path that traverses down a slope.
- What to expect: There are three entrances to the park along SE Tenino Drive that provide access to the upper section of the park:
Trailhead 5: At the terminus of SE Tenino Court
- What to expect: The terminus of SE Tenino Court is a cul-de-sac where parking is not permitted. However, visitors can be dropped off or picked up at this location, which provides ADA-grade access to the upper section of the park via paved sidewalks.
- What to expect: The terminus of SE Tenino Court is a cul-de-sac where parking is not permitted. However, visitors can be dropped off or picked up at this location, which provides ADA-grade access to the upper section of the park via paved sidewalks.
Trailhead 7: At the intersection of SE Tenino Court and SE 52nd Avenue
- What to expect: This entrance provides access to the natural area in the lower section of the park via a gravel trail that descends from SE Tenino Court to the level of the wetland. The park entrance is marked by a sign. Bicycle parking is located here. Visitors should note that this route features downhill slopes of a maximum of 19% to reach the viewing platforms adjacent to the wetland.
ADA Parking
There is one ADA parking spot along SE Tenino Drive and SE 45th Avenue, near Trailhead 3 on the provided map.
Public Transit
TriMet bus lines 75, 71, and 34 provide access to Errol Heights entrances. Visitors can plan a trip with TriMet using the TriMet trip planner, TriMet Paratransit services, or Portland WAV services. To access the park via the 75 bus, exit the bus at either the stop at SE 45th Avenue & Harney (southbound stop ID: 7548; northbound stop ID: 7546), or the stop at SE 45th and 46th Avenue & Nehalem (southbound stop ID: 7561; northbound stop ID: 7560). To access the park via the 71 bus, exit the bus at the stop at SE Flavel & 52nd (southbound stop ID: 1732; northbound stop ID: 1731). To access the park via the 34 bus, exit the bus at the stop at SE Johnson Creek & Springwater Corridor Trail (westbound stop ID: 3080; eastbound stop ID: 3079).
To access the park from the appropriate stop along any of these lines, the total travel distance is between 400-2,600 feet and the maximum grade can range from 6% to over 15%, depending on the route chosen. With all routes, visitors can travel on sidewalk or paved residential street intersections the entire way.
Park Amenities
The upper section of Errol Heights Park features amenities typical of a developed park, including ADA-accessible restrooms, picnic tables (including 5 ADA-accessible tables), play equipment, community garden, educational areas, lawn area, public art sculpture, and more. More information is available on the Errol Heights webpage.
The lower section of Errol Heights Park contains the main natural area and has more limited amenities. In this section of the park, visitors will encounter bridges, viewing platforms or overlooks, and a stone gathering circle where visitors can pull off the trail to rest.
An ADA-grade, slip-resistant fiberglass and metal elevated path connects the upper and lower sections of the park.
Description of Trails
Main natural area trail, from Trailhead 1, the entrance at SE 45th Avenue between SE Tenino and SE Umatilla streets
Visitors enter the park on a gravel trail at this entrance. The trail is bordered by wooden split rail fencing on one side, followed by metal railing on both sides. The trail surface is compacted gravel with fine material less than ¼ inch.There is a 6-7% uphill grade from the sidewalk at 45th Avenue to the first junction (with a trail that features an elevated path connecting the upper and lower sections of the park), about 140 feet. There are landings about every 30-40 feet along this stretch.
This junction features a fork in the trail; visitors can take the left fork to continue uphill towards the upper section of the park via the metal and fiberglass ADA-grade elevated path, or visitors can proceed to the right along the gravel path within the lower section.
Proceeding to the right along the gravel path within the lower section, visitors will travel alongside the wetland at grades of 1-2% for another approximately 650 feet before reaching a bridge.
This bridge is metal with a deck of fiberglass slats coated with slip-resistant material. The slats generally are spaced less than 1/2 inch apart, although there are a few gaps between ½-1 inches. There is a negligible difference in elevation between the gravel path and the bridge, resulting in a transition of less than 1 inch. The bridge is approximately 60 feet long.
After the bridge, the trail transitions back to gravel at grades of 1-3%. About 85 feet beyond the end of the bridge, there is a keyhole gathering circle made of large stones where visitors can pull off the trail and rest. The entrance to this gathering circle is approximately 6.6 feet wide. The stones bordering the circle are approximately at typical seat height with rough, natural stone surface.
After the gathering circle, the gravel trail continues 30 feet to another junction. At this junction, visitors can proceed left on a gravel spur trail for about 40 feet to reach an overlook constructed of concrete and wood. The overlook is exposed to the sun and juts out over an area of impounded water near a bridge, where visitors may encounter wildlife such as ducks or amphibians. Note: while there is some split rail fence guiding visitors along the short spur trail, the overlook itself has a low toe kick and no railing.
Back at the junction with the spur trail, visitors can turn to the left to continue along the original trail. After 20 feet, visitors will reach another metal bridge with a deck of fiberglass slats coated with slip-resistant material. This bridge is approximately 40 feet long, with high railings. It crosses over an area of impounded water and provides a view of the wetland.
Shortly after this bridge, the gravel trail climbs steadily for about 50 feet, with an 8% average grade. However, visitors should note that the grade along this stretch of trail can reach 14-15% and the gravel surface is less stable.
If visitors do not climb the hill, there is space on the trail itself to turn around immediately after the bridge. If visitors do continue up the hill, they will encounter a lookout area on a landing approximately 130 feet from the end of the bridge. The entrance to the lookout is 8.3 feet wide and is bordered by a 40-inch railing on three sides and trail on one side. The lookout provides a view of the wetland.
From the lookout, the gravel trail proceeds slightly downhill for about 50 feet, then begins to climb again for the next about several hundred feet, with grades between 9-19%. About 210 feet after the lookout, there is an intersection on the left with a gravel neighborhood connector trail that is steep and narrow.
This connector trail leads to a location on SE Tenino Court between SE 52nd Avenue and the cul-de-sac at the end of the street. For the next approximately 40 feet past this intersection, the gravel trail reaches an uphill grade of 15% until leveling out slightly at a lookout bordered by stones on the right of the trail. The entrance to this lookout is 4.2 feet, and the area itself enlarges to over 6 feet wide with a relatively flat surface. This area is in moderate shade.
Continuing past the stone lookout, the gravel trail proceeds another approximately 90 feet uphill at 11-12% grade until a landing space, then another 100 feet uphill at 7% grade or less, leaving the forested portion of the park and entering an area with more sun exposure. Next, visitors will encounter a low rock wall that borders a large stormwater swale used to filter runoff during rain events. The trail bordering the rock wall is approximately 50 feet long at a 5% uphill grade.
Beyond the wall bordering the swale, the trail climbs another 80 feet at a 5% grade or less, until it joins with paved sidewalk at the intersection of SE 52nd Avenue and SE Tenino Drive. There are four bike parking staples at this location, as well as a sign marking the entrance to Errol Heights Park.
Tenino Court Spur Trail - see Trailhead 6
This is a very steep, 4-foot-wide gravel trail that connects SE Tenino Court with the main trail through the natural area in the lower section. There is a slight lip between the sidewalk and the gravel path. The grade of this trail ranges from 10-24%, with some spots that are slightly more level, and unstable surface on the steeper grades. The trail is approximately 420 feet long.
Elevated path
A trail leads from the lower section of the park to the upper section via a long metal and fiberglass elevated path. The trail leading to the elevated path is bordered at the base by metal fence or stone gabions for approximately 230 feet, with grades of 4-7%.
The elevated path begins with a slightly angled lip after 230 feet from the base of this trail.
The elevated path is approximately 350 feet long and features seven landings between 30-50 feet apart. The grade is 7-8% for the entire length of the bridge, except at landings. The elevated path features high handrails, a non-slip surface, and a switchback as it traverses up the side of the hill. The elevated path features little to no shade cover and is exposed to the sun. Visitors may hear sounds of people using the upper section of the park.
Upper section soft surface trail - see Trailhead 2 or 3
At the top of the elevated path, visitors will encounter paved sidewalk and an entrance to the developed portion of the park, featuring picnic tables (including ADA picnic tables), play structures, skate park, an art installation, and a restroom. Visitors may turn right to proceed to this portion of the park. Alternately, visitors may proceed straight approximately 50 feet towards another gravel path that traverses another smaller section of the natural area, this time in the upper section of the park.
This trail features a transition from paved sidewalk to gravel, and a transition from direct sun exposure to shade. The trail contains two main forks. The right fork leads to the bike racks at Trailhead 3, the main entrance to the developed park along SE Tenino Drive. This fork features grades of 1-2% except for a portion of the trail with a low spot featuring a 10% downgrade followed shortly by a 10% upgrade along 40 feet. This fork is about 220 feet long.
The left fork leads to Trailhead 2 and the sidewalk along SE Tenino Drive between SE 45th Avenue. It winds in and out of shade, features an overlook of 45th Avenue, and features grades of 3-13%. This trail is approximately 200 feet long.
Signage and Wayfinding
Operations and Maintenance
Portland Parks & Recreation strives to maintain the trailhead, trailhead amenities, trails, and surrounding natural area to provide a safe experience for all users.
Be aware that wind, rain, and high water can leave trails and roads a bit of a mess with hazards like downed trees, landslides, and flooding. Portland Parks & Recreation addresses weather-related impacts as soon as resources allow. Visit Trail Closures and Delays for current information.
Other Maps and Information
More information: Errol Heights Street Improvement project
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