FunKidsActivities

Pirate Park

Near NW Energia Street between NW Brandberry Drive and, NW Graf St, Portland, OR 97229, USA

Overview

Category:Best Outdoor Playgrounds
Location:Portland, OR

Expert Summary

Detailed Insights

Pirate Park is a large, pirate-themed outdoor playground situated atop a hill and connected to extensive trail systems (Rock Creek and Edgewater trails), making it an excellent stop for trail users or a destination in itself. It uniquely offers varied play structures for both toddlers and older children, boasts abundant natural shade and picnic areas, and is noted for being a 'winter paradise' during snow and a 'clean and well kept' recreational space in summer.

Key Highlights

  • Large park with a distinct pirate theme.
  • Features many slides and two separate swing structures.
  • Includes a dedicated small structure better suited for younger children next to a sand box.
  • Offers a larger structure with advanced features like climbing and monkey bars for older, more advanced child play.
  • Plenty of 'teenage trees' providing natural shade for picnic areas and rest stops.
  • Small concrete path circumnavigates the park, perfect for children to bring scooters and bikes.
  • Connected to Rock Creek and Edgewater trails, making it accessible for bikers and hikers.
  • Described as a 'winter paradise' when it snows and 'wonderfully clean and well kept' in summer.
  • Features a sand pit which is 'super fun!'.
  • Has trails and tiny paths in the trees for exploration.

Standout Features

  • Abundant natural shade from trees, ideal for picnics and breaks.
  • Multiple picnic tables and benches available for public use.
  • Concrete path for scooter and bike riding around the park.
  • Connectivity to major trail systems (Rock Creek and Edgewater trails).
  • Distinct pirate theme enhances imaginative play.
  • Variety of play structures catering to different skill levels and ages.
  • The sand pit is a popular feature.
  • Generally kept 'super clean' in terms of ground and play areas.

Perfect For

Perfect for toddlers and younger children (small structure, sand box, 3-year-old reviewer had no problem covering the entire place).
Suitable for older children and pre-teens (larger structure with climbing and monkey bars for 'more advanced child play').
Kids generally love this place across a range of ages.

Ideal For

Family picnics and outdoor meals due to ample shade and tables.
Families with children of varying ages due to segmented play structures.
Outdoor play during snowy winter days.
A clean and well-kept outdoor recreation space during summer.
Families who enjoy biking or hiking, as it's a convenient stop or destination on local trails.
Children who love imaginative play, especially with a pirate theme.

💡Pro Tips from Reviews

  • Bring your own water, as the drinking fountain may be unreliable or turned off.
  • Be prepared for a porta potty, as there are no traditional restrooms; consider alternatives for younger children.
  • Bring scooters or small bikes for children to enjoy the concrete path.
  • Ideal for a picnic; utilize the many shaded areas and picnic tables.
  • Visit during winter for a unique 'winter paradise' experience if it snows.
  • Combine a park visit with a bike ride or hike on the connecting Rock Creek or Edgewater trails.

Things to Consider

  • No traditional bathroom; only a large porta potty, which is often reported as 'disgusting'.
  • Drinking fountain was found turned off by one reviewer, leading to a lack of water replenishment.
  • Some park equipment is perceived as 'getting pretty dated'.
  • Reviewer concern about nearby power lines.

Price & Value

This is a free public park ('public utility and recreation space'), offering excellent value for a family outing without any admission costs. The only 'cost' might be the inconvenience of unreliable water or dirty restrooms.

Accessibility & Special Needs

  • A small concrete path around the park could be navigable.
  • No specific accessibility accommodations for special needs were explicitly mentioned in reviews.

🍎Food & Drink Policy

  • Outside food is encouraged, as it's described as a 'great place for a picnic' with multiple tables and shaded areas.

🚗Parking Info

  • Not explicitly mentioned, but implies accessible parking as families regularly visit. Located 'atop a hill on a trail' which suggests it might not have a massive dedicated lot, but is reachable.

👥Crowd Levels

  • Likely popular, as children 'always have a good time making friends here', but no specific crowded times were noted.
  • Usable 'all the year around', suggesting consistent but perhaps not overwhelming popularity.

🛡️Safety Features

  • Park is generally 'kept super clean'.
  • A sinkhole is mentioned near the park but 'off in the trees', indicating it's not within the immediate play area.
  • No explicit staff supervision or security measures were mentioned.

When to Avoid

  • If you require clean, traditional flush restrooms.
  • If reliable access to a drinking fountain is essential for your visit.
  • If dated play equipment is a significant concern for you.
  • If you are highly sensitive to the presence of overhead power lines near play areas.

Pricing/Package/Events

Events & Schedule

Special Events(Last 2 months - Next 6 months)

Restore the Natural Areas along the Rock Creek Trail / Restauración de Áreas Naturales a lo Largo del Sendero Rock Creek Trail (Volunteer Event)

Nov 8 - Saturday

Volunteer event to restore natural areas.

🛡️Safety Policy

  • All 3,600 acres of THPRD properties, including parks and trails, are smoke-free.
  • Report park problems including off leash dogs, graffiti, vandalism, improper trail usage, abandoned vehicles, or unauthorized camping via Park Watch Report.
  • In case of danger, immediately report to local law enforcement.

🚗Parking Information

  • Neighborhood access available via NW Graf St. and NW Energia St. (implies street parking/neighborhood access)
Information extracted from official website • Last updated: Sep 29, 2025

What People Say

What's Great

  • Clean and well-maintained facilities (mentioned in 2 reviews)
  • Spacious play areas (mentioned in 6 reviews)

Areas for Improvement

  • Parking can be challenging (mentioned in 2 reviews)

Recent Reviews

Brent Henry

Brent Henry

a year ago

A nice large park atop a hill on a trail that connects to much of hillsboro. The park consists of many slides, two separate swing structures, there is a pirate theme to the playground itself of course. There is a small structure better suited for younger children next to the sand box, and across the way down in the back there is a larger structure with more advanced features like climbing and monkey bars for older more advanced child play. There are plenty of teenage trees surrounding the park that give it nice picnic areas to set up a rest stop. There are also two picnic tables tucked under some trees that make a perfect place to stop and do projects or just rest from the heat of the sun. There is a small concrete path around the whole park and children can bring there scooters and circle and race if so inclined. There is no bathroom, only a large porta potty.. bummer. There is a drinking fountain, but when I was there with my family for some reason it was turned off. It made us all very sad because on our journey to reach the park we drank all our water, and was unable to replenish because the city had turned it off?! I hope that they soon trun it back on so that everyone who comes can have access to water in the future!

George Koshy

George Koshy

a month ago

Nice place to bring your kids all the year around. This place is a winter paradise if it snows and a wonderfully clean and well kept public utility and recreation space during the summers

Carol Wicker

Carol Wicker

2 months ago

Great place for a picnic. There are three picnic tables and some benches. There's also a porta potty. It's where the Rock Creek trail intersects the Edgewater trail if you're on a bike.

hason salahuddin

hason salahuddin

a month ago

My kids love this place but their restroom is disgusting most times we visit. I hope they add more to this place it's getting pretty dated also are those power lines the same power line farmers won't grow crops under?

Kylie rae

Kylie rae

3 years ago

Pirate Park is one of pur absolute favorite This park is super cute. Has a playground for big kids and toddlers, but my 3 year old was able to cover the entire place no problem. Always has a good time making friends here. Theres a sand pit which is super fun!, some trails and tiny paths in the trees.The park is always kept super clean. There's a sink hole near the park but it's off in the trees.

Contact Information

Near NW Energia Street between NW Brandberry Drive and, NW Graf St, Portland, OR 97229, USA

View on Google Maps

Opening Hours

Monday: Open 24 hours
Tuesday: Open 24 hours
Wednesday: Open 24 hours
Thursday: Open 24 hours
Friday: Open 24 hours
Saturday: Open 24 hours
Sunday: Open 24 hours

Quick Stats

Overall Rating
4.6
Total Reviews685
Recent Reviews5