Westmoreland Park is a municipal park located in the Westmoreland area of southeast Portland, Oregon's Westmoreland neighborhood, United States.[2] The property for the park was acquired in 1936 and encompasses 42.01 acres (17.00 ha).[2] Located along McLoughlin Boulevard, the park straddles Crystal Springs Creek just downstream from the Crystal Springs Rhododendron Garden. The park is operated by Portland Parks & Recreation and includes sports fields, a playground, and pond.[2] The Royal Rosarian Milk Carton Boat Race takes place every summer in the park's casting pond.[3]
History
Prior to becoming a park, the land where Westmoreland Park sits was used for farming, a golf course, and even a landing strip.[2] The landing strip was originally known as simply aviation field, but in October 1919 became Broomfield Aviation Field.[4] It was named after a student at Reed College, Hugh Broomfield, who was a pilot who died during World War I while in combat.[4] In 1936, the city bought 45 acres (18 ha) from the Oregon Iron & Steel Company for use as a park, with Francis Benedict Jacobberger then commissioned to develop a plan for the new park.[2] Among other things, the plan called for a lagoon and pond that were to be used as ice rinks in winter.[2] Construction began on the park the same year, with labor provided by the Works Progress Administration.[2] The casting pond was completed that year, but about June 1937 other construction halted due to funding, but resumed in July 1939.[2] A baseball stadium was added in 1942, which was named as Sckavone Field in 1955.[2] Lawn bowling was added in 1945, and a restroom in 1949.[2]
After repeated flooding issues and the degradation of the water infrastructure in the park, a new master plan was developed to re-imagine the natural water features, which the plan was completed in 2003.[2][5] Construction on the revamped park was completed in 2014, with it re-opening in October 2014.[5] The project included conversion of the duck pond into wetlands, the installation of a nature-based playground featuring boulders and logs, and the addition of more paths.[5][6] The restoration of the wetlands allowed for the return of migrating salmon to the stream.[7] The United States Army Corps of Engineers assisted on the project, which cost $1 million to complete.[6]
Amenities
Park signage in 2012
The park has a variety of sports features including a baseball diamonds, a football field, a soccer field, and a softball field.[2] The southern end of the park is occupied by Sckavone Stadium, which is used for baseball.[8] There are also tennis and basketball courts.[2] Other features include a playground, paths, picnic area and tables, and a restroom.[2]Uroboros is an outdoor sculpture by Charles Kibby, installed in 1979.
