The new underground Washington Park Reservoir provides a safe supply of drinking water for the entire west side of Portland. The nearly complete park space includes two reflecting pools, a wildlife habitat area, public walking paths, and restored historic features.
The Portland Water Bureau, part of the Public Works Service Area, is hosting an event to celebrate Portland’s investment in a resilient water system. For one day only, get a sneak peek of the future park space! Join us for a day of festivities featuring:
- Tours of the reservoir site
- Vendor booths
- Dedication ceremony
- Speeches from local officials
- Giveaways
- And more!
ASL and Spanish interpretation will be available during the ceremony and speeches and for educational tours, by request.
After the June 14 celebration, the site will temporarily close to the public so we can put the finishing touches on the reflecting pools and promenade. Learn more about the decision to postpone the full public opening of the site.
Find the latest project updates for Washington Park Reservoir
About the Washington Park Reservoir
The Washington Park Reservoir is in Washington Park, just east of the International Rose Test Garden. The park has played a key role in Portland’s water system since the 1890s, when the City built two drinking water reservoirs to store water from the Bull Run Watershed.
The Portland Water Bureau completed a once-in-a-lifetime project to replace the old reservoirs. The new underground reservoir was built to modern standards. Since 2021, the new reservoir has been supplying water to Portland’s west side.
The site on top of the underground reservoir will eventually be a public park destination. Come to the celebration to get a sneak peek of the new space, which includes:
- Two reflecting pools that occupy the same space as the former drinking water reservoirs
- A new cascading water feature in the upper pool
- Restored walking paths around the reflecting pools
- A wildlife habitat area and bioswale
- Preserved historic features from the original reservoirs, including historic fencing and lighting
- Interpretative elements with details about the site’s history, its role in our water system, and the historic features
Programming and entertainment
Here’s what you can expect on June 14.
- 10:00 a.m. - Event starts
- 11:00 a.m. - Speeches by City officials
- 11:30 a.m. - Rose planting featuring the Royal Rosarians
- 11:45 a.m. - Group promenade around the reservoir!
- Noon–4:00 p.m. - Music by Tabor Dance
- Noon–3:00 p.m. - Free educational tours
- 4:00 p.m. - Event ends
Stop for a bite, a meal, or a sweet treat along your path!
- Fifty Licks ice cream
- Where’s Coffeegirl
- Betos Taqueria
- Alchemy Sandwich Co
ASL and Spanish interpretation will be available during the ceremony and speeches and for educational tours, by request.
View photos from the event on Facebook
Event tours
Take a free tour of the Washington Park Reservoir during the event!
Meet with the Water Bureau’s education team to learn about Portland’s water system. Take a tour of the new educational elements installed at Washington Park. Learn about the historic relevance and the new modern engineering of the reservoir.
Tours will be first come, first served between noon and 3:00 p.m. Space may be limited.
ASL and Spanish interpretation will be available for tours, by request.
Self-guided tour
Tour the Washington Park Reservoir site using our online walking tour guide. Visit the best elements of the reservoir site at your own pace. Learn about the construction, engineering, and history of the reservoir.
View online walking tour guide
Getting to Washington Park
We strongly encourage attendees to arrive car-free. Parking is extremely limited. If you’re able, please take public transit, use a rideshare service, bike, or walk.
Plan your trip to Washington Park Reservoir
Public transportation
We encourage visitors to take TriMet light rail or bus service to Washington Park.
TriMet Bus Line 63 provides direct service between Pioneer Courthouse Square and the Washington Park Reservoir.
Both the MAX light rail Red and Blue Lines stop at the Washington Park station and link to the Washington Park Free Shuttle.
TriMet Park & Ride is available at Sunset Transit Center (10470 SW Barnes Road, Beaverton, 97225), just one stop away from the Washington Park station.
Make your transit plans using TriMet
Washington Park Free Shuttle
The Washington Park Free Shuttle runs a loop inside the park throughout the day with shuttles arriving typically every 15 minutes. The shuttle has many convenient stops, including one at the Washington Park MAX Station. Once you arrive, hop on the free shuttle to access and explore all the park’s destinations.
All shuttles are wheelchair accessible.
The nearest stop to the Washington Park Reservoir is at the Oregon Holocaust Memorial.
Track the free Washington Park Shuttle
Using Uber or Lyft
Rideshare services like Uber and Lyft make it easy to get to the celebration without the parking hassle.
- Use the primary drop-off zone near Park Place on SW Sacajawea Boulevard
- Use the wheelchair-accessible drop-off zone on SW Sherwood Boulevard
Plan your trip using Uber or Lyft
Biking
There is a Biketown station and limited parking for personal bikes at the Oregon Holocaust Memorial. View Explore Washington Park’s guide to getting to the park by bike for more information on bike parking.
Additional bike parking will be available near event entrances. Check back for more details on locations.
Secure TriMet Bike & Ride bike parking is available at the Sunset Transit Center (one stop from the Washington Park station) and at the nearby Goose Hollow MAX Station.
For everyone’s safety, please walk your bike at the event site.
Parking
Parking can be challenging, especially in the summer. We recommend using public transit. Pay to park using the Parking Kitty app or at pay stations.
Accessibility
The Washington Park Reservoir event site is accessible. However, some parts of Madison Drive have a slope of up to 8 percent.
Getting there
There are multiple ways to enter the event space, but some of those require navigating stairs or steep slopes.
- The ADA event entrance is located off SW Sherwood Boulevard at the intersection with SW Murray Street.
- Parking: There are limited accessible parking spaces at the reservoir entrance along Sherwood Boulevard. More accessible parking spots are available throughout Washington Park.
- Rideshare: There will be a wheelchair-accessible drop-off zone near SW Sherwood Boulevard, directly at the reservoir’s accessible entrance. Let your driver know you need the accessible entrance.
- Washington Park Free Shuttle: All busses are ADA accessible. The purple paths marked on our interactive event map show the best ADA accessible routes from nearby shuttle stops to the event entrance.
At the event
- Wheelchair accessible bathrooms will be available on Murray Street near the ADA entrance.
- ASL and Spanish interpretation will be available during the ceremony and speeches and for educational tours, by request.
- Booths, food, and music will be located along Madison Drive. While some parts of Madison Drive have a slope of up to 8 percent, the event spaces on Madison Drive meet ADA grade requirements.
Getting to Washington Park Reservoir