Forest Park: A History

Early History

The rich history of Portland's Forest Park precedes that of the city itself. Originally inhabited by Native Americans, the 5,000-plus acreage that is now Forest Park was claimed by the United States in the early 1800s. When the Lewis & Clark Expedition traveled down the Columbia River in 1806, William Clark took a side trip up the Willamette, making note of the many types of wildlife and massive trees found in the forested western hills along the River. With the arrival of settlers in the northwest, much of the area surrounding Forest Park, was given to settlers for homesites and farmland through donation land claims by the 1850s.

As early as 1899 there was interest in preserving the forested hillsides to the west of downtown Portland. The Olmsted Brothers' firm was brought in from Massachusetts to plan a regional park system that would include these west hills. Other visionary leaders, from Portland and beyond, advocated for a "forest park" as well, including well-known city planner E.H. Bennett of Chicago. In his Greater Portland Plan, Bennett wrote, "great woodland areas are the great life-giving elements of the city."

Land speculation during the early 1900s, fueled a land boom that led to the construction of a scenic road through the area (now Leif Erikson Drive). A winter landslide closed the road soon after completion and those who had purchased home sites platted along the road were assessed for repairs. Most of these landowners refused to pay the assessment and the land was forfeited to the City of Portland. The area then withstood years of timber cutting, wildfires, and even unsuccessful oil drilling.

Friends Of Forest Park

In 1948, due to heroic efforts by the City Club and corporate visionary Ding Cannon, CEO of The Standard, the 3,000 acre core of the current Forest Park was dedicated as city parkland. Since t this beginning, Forest Park has attracted a group of citizen stewards dedicated to its protection and enhancement. Since 1989, working in partnership with Portland Parks & Recreation, the Friends of Forest Park advocated, educated, raised funds, and coordinated volunteer efforts for the Park. In 2007, Friends of Forest Park evolved into The Forest Park Conservancy .

Recent History

In her 1982 survey of Forest Park wildlife, biologist Marcy Houle identifies more than 112 species of birds and mammals. According to Houle, while most city parks have a steady decline in native wildlife, the assemblage of species she found in Forest Park is very similar to that noted by William Clark in 1806.

What better way to protect a place of such rich history and inestimable value? Strategically purchase land and add it to existing acreage! In the 1990's, Friends of Forest Park raised over $1 million for the acquisition of 78 acres of privately owned lands inside the park that were slated for development. Friends of Forest Park also raised the funds to acquire a 38-acre stand of low-elevation old growth forest to the north of the Park that was going to be logged. In 2002, we partnered with Metro and Portland Parks &Recreation to purchase a 31-acre in-holding in the north end of the Park that was also destined for housing. A more recent acquisition is a 1.5 acre parcel of land at the bottom of Firelane 9 that was headed for housing. We are grateful to the many individual donors stepped forward to make these acquisitions possible. 

To learn more about the history of Forest Park, view How Forest Park Came to Be (PDF) by Elizabeth Patte.