See how this nonprofit fun center in East Portland ended its season with an interesting event …
Near the historic Oaks Amusement Park carousel, guests check in at “The Oaks Friend-Raiser”.
Story and photos by David F. Ashton
At the close of its season, the Oaks Park Association – the nonprofit that operates famous Oaks Amusement Park – hosted a special gathering that they called “The Oaks Friends-Raiser” for some 100 invited guests and dignitaries on October 4, inside their newly-renovated Dance Pavilion.
On their way in, these guests were encouraged to climb aboard the park’s historic Herschell–Spillman Noah’s Ark Carousel for a ride, before walking over to the Pavilion.
Guests have an opportunity to check out the newly renovated Dance Pavilion.
Welcoming these guests is Oaks Park Association Board Chair Rick Gustafson.
After dining on what was called “elevated fair food”, the program began. The Oaks Park Association’s Board Chair, Rick Gustafson, welcomed those attending, and described the evening’s plans.
Gustafson then introduced the first speaker, U.S. Representative for Oregon’s 3rd District Earl Blumenauer.
U.S. Representative for Oregon’s 3rd District Earl Blumenauer provides wit and wisdom at Oaks Park.
Blumenauer talked up the redevelopment activities in Portland including near OMSI – and the addition of a streetcar line. “To celebrate this type of community action – and the visioning that’s taken place, and the work that’s being done – is something that gives me great satisfaction. The Oaks is a simple of symbol of that ‘stick-to-it-ive-ness’: Of being able to provide benefits for people for another century to come.”
Backed by a slide show, Oaks Park Association Board Member Carol Mayer-Reed tells the history of the park.
Next, Carol Mayer-Reed, a member of the Oaks Park Association Board of Directors, gave an illustrated presentation of The Oaks’ history, from its inception in 1905.
It was opened as part of that year’s Lewis and Clark Centennial Exposition, planned as a “trolley park” – a weekend destination for trolley riders at the end of the line – by the Oregon Water Power and Railway Company.
For more than a century, Oaks Amusement Park was owned by very few people, Carol Mayer-Reed says.
Mayer-Reed told how the park changed hands over the years – until being owned by Edward Bollinger in the early 1940s; and in 1949, being inherited by Robert Bollinger from his father.
It was in 1985, Mayer-Reed recounted, that Robert Bollinger donated Oaks Amusement Park to the 501(c)(3) nonprofit “Oaks Park Association”, established with the stated mission of preserving and continuing this historic amusement park in perpetuity as an affordable, safe, and family-friendly recreation resource open to the general public.
Speaking about the amusement park’s present operation and its future is the Oaks Park Association’s CEO, Brandon Roben.
Then, Oaks Park Association CEO Brandon Roben stepped up to the podium. “Oaks Park has operated as a nonprofit since 1985, yet most people don’t realize that,” he began. “For these four decades, our mission has been driven not by profit, but by the goal of creating a space for all Portlanders.”
More than 500,000 people visited Oaks Park just last year, Roben said. “Behind those numbers is a real difference: Last year alone, we hosted 216 local nonprofit events, donated over 2,600 ride bracelets to local nonprofit organizations, and provided nearly 16,000 discounted tickets to our nonprofit partners – directly supporting families and organizations throughout the city. And that represented a $430,000 investment in our community.”
The top-to-bottom renovation of The Oaks Dance Pavilion was only the first step in the park’s Master Plan for the future.
Reveals Oaks Park’s ‘Master Plan’
While he didn’t give specific details, Roben announced that future of Oaks Amusement Park is guided by a “bold and visionary forty million dollar Master Plan” that embraces their natural resources, including integrating rides and recreation into the “green setting of our old-growth tree canopy here”.
This includes expanding “entertainment zones”, and relocating midway attractions into shaded areas of the park.
Looking toward 2027, Roben confirmed the addition of a “drop tower” ride that will provide panoramic views of Portland. He told how Oaks Park worked closely with lighting and wildlife experts to reduce the impact of the ride on migrating birds and local habitats by specifying lighting in red and orange hues.
“Our ‘blueprint for the future’ is a plan that keeps Oaks Park affordable, welcoming, and innovative, and ensures that the park will remain at the heart of Portland’s community for generations to come,” Roben concluded.
While meeting guests, Oaks Park Association Board members assemble for a photo: [standing] Martha Bailey, Carol Mayer-Reed, Chipper the Squirrel, Chair Rick Gustafson, Ron Beltz, [crouching] Kevin Kohnstamm, and Nancy Hales. (Not pictured: Debbie Chow.)
Although Oaks Amusement Park is now closed until spring, it will (as always) remain staffed at minimum levels during the interim – and families, both adults and kids, can still enjoy skating in the famous Oaks Park Roller Rink all winter long.
For more information, see their website: CLICK HERE.
© 2025 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News™
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