If you’ve spent any time in Southeast Portland, you’ve probably walked past it without thinking twice. It’s just a square of green. But Colonel Summers Park Portland OR isn’t just a patch of grass; it’s basically the living room for the Buckman neighborhood. Honestly, if you want to understand why Portland still feels like "Portland" despite all the high-rise apartments popping up on Burnside, you go here. You don’t go to a fancy Voodoo Doughnut line. You go to the park where the crust punks, the young tech workers, and the families with strollers all somehow coexist without it being weird.
It’s roughly 10.5 acres. That’s the official stat from Portland Parks & Recreation. But numbers are boring. What actually matters is the vibe on a Tuesday at 6:00 PM when the sun is finally hitting that perfect slanted angle through the Douglas firs.
The Weird History of Colonel Summers Park Portland OR
Most people call it "Summers," but hardly anyone knows who the guy actually was. Colonel Owen Summers wasn't some generic military figure; he was a big deal in the Oregon Volunteer Infantry during the Spanish-American War. He actually helped organize the Oregon National Guard. The city acquired the land back in 1921. Before that? It was mostly just empty lots and the creeping edge of the city's industrial core.
For decades, it was a quiet neighborhood spot. Then, the 70s and 80s happened. The neighborhood changed. Buckman became the epicenter of the city’s DIY spirit.
You’ve got to realize that this park has survived some stuff. It wasn't always the "safe" family spot people see today. There were years when the neighbors had to fight pretty hard to keep the park from falling into total disrepair. It has this gritty resilience. It’s named after a soldier, and honestly, it feels like it’s had to go to battle for its own identity more than once.
What’s Actually There (Beyond the Grass)
If you’re looking for a manicured botanical garden, you’re in the wrong place. Go to the Rose Garden for that. This place is functional.
The Pavilion and the Picnic Areas
The picnic shelter is the anchor. You’ll see birthday parties for toddlers happening ten feet away from a group of people practicing fire spinning. It’s a trip. The Portland Parks & Recreation department keeps the facilities decent, but let’s be real—the bathrooms are "city park bathrooms." Adjust your expectations accordingly.
The Sports Scene
There’s a softball field. There’s a soccer field. But the real action is usually on the tennis courts or the wide-open flat areas. For a long time, this was the unofficial headquarters for "Bike Polo." If you haven’t seen it, it’s exactly what it sounds like. It’s chaotic. It’s loud. It involves mallets and fixed-gear bikes. While the bike polo scene has shifted around the city over the years, the spirit of "weird sports" remains.
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- Basketball: The courts are usually busy. The competition is decent but mostly friendly.
- Sand Volleyball: This is a huge draw in the summer. It’s one of the few spots in the inner city where you can actually get a game going in the sand.
- The Splash Pad: Total lifesaver in July. When Portland hits those 90-degree days, this is where every kid in a three-mile radius ends up.
The "Kickball" Legend
You can't talk about Colonel Summers Park Portland OR without mentioning the kickball leagues. Seriously. For a while, the Thursday night kickball scene was legendary. It wasn't just a game; it was a massive social mixer that occasionally got a bit too rowdy for the city's liking.
There were beer coolers. There were costumes. There were boomboxes.
Eventually, the city had to crack down on the unpermitted alcohol and the sheer size of the crowds. It changed the dynamic. Some people say it "killed the soul" of the park, but others were just happy they could walk their dogs without stepping over a crushed PBR can. It’s a classic Portland tension: the desire for a wild, unregulated party versus the reality of being a public space in a densifying neighborhood.
Why Local Businesses Love This Spot
The park is basically surrounded by some of the best food and drink in the city. You’ve got Palomar right there for incredible Cuban food and daiquiris. You’ve got the Belmont Station a bit further up for beer nerds.
A lot of people grab a sandwich at a nearby bodega and just sit on the berm. The berm—the little grassy hill—is the best place for people-watching. You’ll see the "Tall Bike" crew. You’ll see someone trying to slackline for the first time. You’ll see professional photographers doing engagement shoots because the light is so good.
It’s an economic engine, weirdly enough. The foot traffic the park generates keeps the surrounding blocks of SE 17th and 20th alive. Without the park, Buckman would just be a grid of old houses and new condos. The park gives it a pulse.
Managing the Reality of Modern Portland
Look, we have to talk about the "elephant in the park." Portland has been through a lot in the last five years. Like almost every green space in the city, Colonel Summers Park Portland OR has dealt with the challenges of the housing crisis.
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There have been camps. There have been safety concerns.
The city has implemented "restoration" periods where they close sections of the park to let the grass recover and to manage the impact of heavy use. If you go today, you'll see a lot of effort being put into maintenance. The Buckman Community Association is incredibly active. They care deeply about this place. They organize cleanups. They advocate for better lighting. It’s a constant work in progress. It isn’t perfect, but it’s real.
The Community Garden
Tucked away in the corner is the community garden. It’s part of the city’s massive P-Patch program. The waitlist to get a plot here is usually years long. People take their kale and tomatoes very seriously here. It’s a nice contrast to the more chaotic energy of the playground or the ball fields. It’s a little pocket of quiet.
Tips for Visiting Like a Local
If you’re planning to head down there, don't be a "tourist."
First, parking is a nightmare. It’s all street parking, and the neighbors are protective of their spots. Take the bus (the 15 and the 20 run close by) or just ride a bike. Portland is a bike city; act like it.
Second, check the weather. The park gets muddy. Fast. If it’s rained in the last three days, the low-lying areas of the field will be a swamp.
Third, bring a blanket. Even if the benches are empty, the "true" experience is sitting on the grass.
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Fourth, be cool. This isn't a suburban park with a list of fifty "don'ts" posted on a giant sign (well, there is a sign, but people mostly ignore the vibe of it). It’s a place of mutual respect. If someone is playing music, they’ll usually turn it down if you ask nicely. If you have a dog, keep it on a leash unless you’re in a designated spot. The park rangers do show up, and they do give out tickets.
The Verdict on Colonel Summers
Is it the most beautiful park in the world? No. Mt. Tabor has better views. Forest Park is bigger.
But Colonel Summers Park Portland OR is the most authentic Portland park. It’s where the city meets itself. It’s where you see the friction and the beauty of urban life happening in real-time. It’s a place where you can be whoever you want for a few hours, as long as you’re okay with a little bit of noise and a lot of personality.
If you want to feel the heart of the Eastside, grab a coffee, find a spot on the grass, and just wait. Something interesting will happen. It always does.
Actionable Ways to Enjoy the Park This Week
- Check the "PDX Pipeline" or local flyers: Often, there are unadvertised "pop-up" events, from small acoustic sets to community yoga.
- Support the surrounding vendors: Pick up a loaf of bread or a coffee from a shop within three blocks. The "Park-to-Business" ecosystem is what keeps this neighborhood thriving.
- Volunteer for a cleanup: Contact the Portland Parks Foundation or the Buckman neighborhood group. They always need people to help with mulching or trash pickup.
- Use the "Portland Parks" website to check for closures: Before you haul a whole picnic setup down there, make sure the specific area isn't closed for "turf renovation." This happens more often than you'd think in the spring and fall.
- Practice "Pack it in, Pack it out": The trash cans in the park fill up fast on weekends. If you see they're overflowing, take your trash home with you. It helps the maintenance crews and keeps the park from looking like a landfill.
Getting the most out of this space means being an active participant, not just a consumer. Whether you're there for the volleyball, the shade of a 100-year-old tree, or just to watch the sunset over the West Hills, you're part of the history of the place. Keep it weird, but keep it clean.
The park has been there since 1921. With a little bit of community effort, it'll still be the soul of Buckman in 2121. It’s one of the few constants in a city that is changing faster than most people can keep up with. Enjoy it for what it is: a gritty, beautiful, crowded, essential piece of the Portland puzzle.