All-new Mill Park celebrated with ‘soft opening’

Take a look at how neighbors and school kids welcomed this new outer East Portland park in the Mill Park neighborhood …

For decades, the unimproved Mill Park City Park looked like a large flat field with a few trees, before development work began in 2023.

By David F. Ashton
Photos by Portland Parks & Recreation

Holding the “soft opening” of a new park in the middle of winter didn’t chill the enthusiasm for those celebrating with Portland Parks & Recreation (PP&R). It happened in Mill Park City Park, in the Mill Park neighborhood on Wednesday, January 22.

Neighbors and kids from the nearby school just couldn’t wait until summer to rejoice and frolic in the long-awaited, all-new recreation space situated between Mill Park Elementary School and SE 122nd Avenue.

Taken in September 2023, here’s our panoramic view, looking east, of the development just getting underway, in Mill Park City Park. East Portland News archive image

On September 28, 2023, PP&R broke ground for the creation of this park project.

>> CLICK HERE to see our article, and a fun, groundbreaking video.

“More than 100 community members came to our ‘pop-up soft opening’ on Wednesday afternoon, January 22, after school got out,” revealed Vibrant Communities Support Services PP&R Senior Community Engagement Coordinator Maija Spencer.

Kids try out the new “Creative Play Area” in the park.

“We heard that, earlier that day, Mill Park Elementary’s fifth grade class had earned a recess on the new Mill Park playground as a reward for their good behavior,” Spencer told East Portland News afterwards.

So PP&R staff was there and served cookies and warm drinks, provided information about the new park, and handed out some PP&R-branded gloves and mittens – so community members could stay cozy while enjoying the park on that sunny but cold January afternoon.

This family tries out the permanently installed ping-pong table in the park.

“It was exciting to see kids running around, trying out the new play equipment and enjoying the open space,” Spencer observed.

“One family tried out the new ping pong table, and parents and caretakers were seen soaking up the sun on the many new benches scattered around the park, while their children spent time with friends,” she noted.

Here’s an illustration by Mayer/Reed that shows the completed park’s concept.

The park now includes:

A state-of-the-art playground and splash pad for kids and families
Portland’s first Chin Lone court celebrates Southeast Asian cultures
A new PP&R “Community Garden”
Accessibility improvements: closer bus stops and continuous sidewalks connecting the park, school, and SE 122nd Avenue
74 new trees to complement the mature trees already thriving at the site
A Portland Loo restroom
A central promenade/gathering area

“The new Mill Park will be a centerpiece of a lively community,” commented PP&R Director Adena Long. “From the splash pad to the playground and gardens, it’s a neighborhood gem with plenty of space to play, exercise, and reflect.”

Trevor Hopper, an Advisory Committee member and part of the Mill Park Neighborhood Association commented on Facebook, “I love it! I see summer gatherings in the future.”

Another Facebook comment came from Lisha Shrestha, Executive Director of Division Midway Alliance, who posted, “Looks great! It’s so good to see the outcome after many years of work from all the people involved.”

So, check it out for yourself! Mill Park is now open for public use. The “main entrance” is listed as 1949 SE 122nd Avenue; but there’s also an entrance at the south end, on SE Lincoln Street – and just by walking through the Mill Park Elementary School playground at 1900 SE 117th Avenue.

Public art by outer East Portland artist Alex Chiu graces the park.

However, they’re still adding a few “finishing touches” – like the planned picnic shelter, scheduled for completion this spring. The park’s “Portland Loo” and water fountains will open when temperatures rise! PP&R is planning a more formal grand opening celebration this spring to welcome the community to Mill Park.

>> On our Front Page: Mill Park Elementary School Principal, Heather Craig climbs up in the tower, to try out the slide.

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