Touch Grass: Mount Tabor Park

An icon of Portland, Mount Tabor is an extinct volcanic cinder cone that towers over the city, providing a landmark from below and spectacular views from above. Since its establishment in 1909, it has also been the site of a public park spanning roughly 176 acres, according to the Portland.gov website. It is also home to multiple reservoirs; “In 1894, the city built two open reservoirs on the site (two other open reservoirs were built in 1911).” These are still visible today, however per Travel Portland “For decades, these structures supplied water to residents across the city. In 1990, the city sold one of the reservoirs to private developers; the other three have since been decommissioned. These days, the enormous reservoirs, which were accepted to the National Register of Historic Places in 2004, simply provide a scenic backdrop to your park activities.” Signs at the site of Reservoir 6 state that it is currently empty due to the discovery of voids under it in 2021, which is a worry for the soil in and around it washing away. The Portland Water Bureau is investigating the situation, to learn more visit the water section of the Portland.gov website. 

While Reservoir 6 may be empty, Reservoir 5 nearby is full, a lovely body of water with ducks swimming throughout. Mount Tabor Park is known for its hiking, with three main trails all between one and three miles in length, and plenty of other pathways. These are great activities, however, there are many other things to do at the Park, such as playgrounds and sports areas. One can also simply take a short walk around Reservoir 5 near the entrance, where the view over Portland is spectacular, especially at sunset. The park is open from 5am to midnight every day, with car traffic limited between 5am and 10pm daily and none on Wednesdays. There is a parking lot, but many people park on the side of the street along the way up to the park. On public transit, the trip to the park from Reed is a little over 40 minutes on two buses, and by car, it is a 16-minute drive.

Mount Tabor Park is also an events space, as it is home to an amphitheater, but also hosts other things such as the annual adult soapbox derby race each August. According to Travel Portland, “The annual PDX Adult Soapbox Derby pits grown-up kids against each other, with each team designing and assembling their own downhill racers in pursuit of maximum speed or big laughs.” To see pictures of past impressive creations and keep a lookout for next year, the event has a website at soapboxracer.org. The park is maintained by the city but also by The Friends of Mount Tabor Park, who were “organized as a non-profit group in 2000. We're a volunteer-driven community group that nurtures Mt. Tabor Park as a healthy and thriving urban oasis for everyone. We serve as public advocates who inspire love and stewardship for the park’s natural environment and recreational opportunities. We collaborate with the Portland Parks Bureau, complementing its services where needed,” according to their website. A staple of the city, the park has over a hundred years of history and many acres to explore. To learn more, visit its section on the Portland.gov parks website or see it on an unofficial Instagram @mounttaborpdx. So, go out and touch grass in Mount Tabor Park!