Creston Park - Portland, OR
Creston Park Dog Park in Portland, Oregon
Creston Park is a vibrant, community-focused green space located in southeast Portland, Oregon, renowned for its dog-friendly amenities and lush, shaded grounds. The dog park at Creston Park features an off-leash area that welcomes both locals and visitors, making it an ideal spot for social pups and their owners. Whether you’re itching for some ball play on open grassy fields or looking for pet-friendly trails to explore, this park delivers a refreshing outdoor experience right in the city. Shaded areas beneath mature trees provide a cool retreat during the summer months, and smooth, paved paths make strolling easy for all.
Dog owners appreciate the combination of ample shade, picnic spots, playgrounds for children, and diverse walking paths that wind through the rolling hills of the park. The dog off-leash area is adjacent to family-friendly amenities, including an upgraded playground, skatepark, tennis courts, and even a community pool. Creston Park is well-maintained and regularly hosts local events, making it a lively hub in the neighborhood for both two- and four-legged visitors.
FAQ for Creston Park Dog Park
- Are dogs allowed off-leash at this park? Yes, dogs are permitted to be off-leash in the designated area.
- Is there shade or shelter available? Yes, the park has many mature trees and well-shaded areas.
- Are poop bags or waste stations provided? There are plenty of trash cans available, but it is not specified if poop bags are provided—bringing your own is recommended.
- Are there benches or seating areas for owners? Yes, there are numerous picnic tables and benches throughout the park.
- Are restrooms available for owners? Yes, there are restrooms, though they may occasionally be closed or busy during events.
- Is there a playground or activities for kids nearby? Yes, the park features a top-rated playground and multiple other amenities for families.
- Is the park open year-round? Yes, Creston Park is open throughout the year.
- Where is the best place to park? There is a large parking lot on the west side of the park accessible via the neighborhood. Street parking is also available near the playground.
- Are there walking or hiking trails connected to the park? Yes, the park has several paved and natural walking paths and trails.
- Is there shade available? Yes, the park is well-shaded, which makes it great for dogs and owners during hot days.
- Is the park regularly cleaned and maintained? Yes, Creston Park is known for being clean and well-maintained.
Reviews
The playground here is top tier. It’s fun for my kids, the hill as one giant slide is awesome. Everything is clearly maintained. My two complaints and or warnings, the unleashed dog park is literally conjoined with the playground and often dogs just coming running through near your kids. My second complaint is that this playground is predominately used by upper class white families and bringing our African American kids here means they are the only people of color in the playground, can be sort of unwelcoming and elitist.
This park is AMAZING 😍 I saw on other reviews people saying this is the best park in Portland and I would agree it is super huge and has lots of cool fun toys there are multiple bathrooms and so many picnic tables in different groups all over the park. There is a dog park and also a swimming pool. There is a huge parking lot but it’s kind of weird to get to as GPS will lead you to Powell and you cannot park there on Powell. The parking lot is on the west side of the park back in the neighborhood. There is a sign you can follow that will lead you there. Also if you look on your map you can drive from Powell through the neighborhood to the south side of the park and you can park along the street right next to the playground. If you park in the parking lot you have to walk up the hill to get to the playground. You cannot see the park from Powell Blvd. We will definitely be coming back and letting our friends and family know about it. Thx Portland Parks & Recreations for such an awesome park!!
I used to live literally across the street from Creston Park. I loved it. I miss it. It’s boasts a fabulous green space, plenty of tree cover, walking paths, picnic tables, play structures, skate park, tennis court (in need of some TLC), and a community pool. My step-kids used to walk through the park to their elementary school, every day. There are a plethora of events that happen here every year, particularly in the warmer, sunnier months, including free lunches for under-privileged kids, festivals, games and more, and there’s *always* a family or two barbecuing, picnicking, and playing music here, when the sun is out.
Of course, with any open space like this in Portland, it inevitably attracts a few unsavory types. I’m not insensitive to the plight of the homeless, but it’s one thing to seek shelter, and another to shoot up in public, or shout, stalk and harass kids, joggers and dog-walkers, simply for existing. Those types should be (and were, at least when I was there), forcefully ejected from the park, using whatever means necessary.
The pool can be a bit tricky to get into, as it has (in the wake of COVID) staffing issue with lifeguards, and irregular, unpredictable hours. I’m hoping this will smooth out and return to normal again, over time. That said, it’s one of my favorite parks in Portland, if not *the* favorite, and I always enjoy returning here. I still have a scurry of squirrels and a murder of crows that swoop and swarm around me when I stop by, with a bag of treats in hand. Watching the other park patrons freak out when a squawking cloud of black wings and feathers descends from the trees around me like a cloak is always worth the price of admission (which is free)!
This park is next to a school building (not sure if the building is still used). Nicely shaded, picnic tables, and bathrooms. The play ground looks very new and is next to an open field which is an off leash area for dogs.
The paths are mostly smooth and paved. Nice for strollers, the park itself is a bit hilly and parking closest to the playground is in the neighborhood.
Wonderful rolling hills, glens, dales, leafy bowers and nooks…..
Gorgeous patches of crimson mushrooms here and there.
I found a couple mossy branches to add to my collection. 😉
My only minor complaint is that there was a dog owner with a young unleashed dog that was not well trained and ran up rambunctiously to my older dog who was leashed and well behaved but did not take too kindly to being “sniffed out” (lol).
I realize that this is an off-leash park but didn’t see any signs and please…
**Make sure your dog obeys commands off AND on leash b4 you go to a park with other dogs and their parents!!
The owner heard my dog’s warning growl and after several calls to her dog who continued to ignore her and smell my dog; she finally leashed her dog so we could continue on our merry way.
Sun was out so can’t complain 😁