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  • Attractions
    • View All Attractions
    • Attractions Open Now
    • Museums & History
    • Parks & Gardens
    • Family Friendly
    • Shopping
    • On a Budget
    • EVEN MORE THINGS TO DO
  • Culture
    • View All Culture
    • Arts
    • Beer
    • Biking
    • Cannabis
    • Cultural Communities
    • Craft Spirits
    • Food
    • Makers
    • Music
    • Nightlife
    • Outdoors
    • Sports
    • Weird
    • Wine
    • MORE CULTURE
  • Neighborhoods
    • View All Neighborhoods
    • Alberta Arts District
    • Belmont
    • Central Eastside
    • Division/Clinton
    • Downtown
    • Hawthorne
    • Lloyd
    • Mississippi
    • Northwest / Nob Hill
    • Old Town Chinatown
    • Pearl District
    • St. Johns
    • Sellwood-Moreland
    • Williams
    • ALL NEIGHBORHOODS
  • Region
    • View All Region
    • Near the City
    • Columbia River Gorge
    • Mount Hood
    • Oregon Coast
    • Willamette Valley
    • ALL REGIONS
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Attractions

Director Park

Updated Sept. 10, 2020 1 min read Downtown

Downtown Portland’s Director Park is a European-style, granite-paved plaza that replaced a parking lot in 2009. Located just two blocks from Pioneer Courthouse Square, the park features ample outdoor seating and a fountain, and plays host to occasional events in the summer.

Director Park bridges the gap between the South Park Blocks and North Park Blocks, which were historically planned to run continuously through downtown Portland. Upon its opening, The Oregonian called the park “a cozier den to the living room that is Pioneer Courthouse Square.”

Parks & Gardens

In a city as green as Portland, it’s only fitting that some of the top attractions are outdoor spots that appeal to home gardeners and hikers alike.

More parks

Park Features

A 25-foot-high glass canopy shelters a terrace with café tables and chairs — a perfect spot to munch on lunch from a nearby food cart. Come sundown, the canopy’s dynamic light installation enlivens the square.

Encircled by hand-crafted wood benches, Teachers Fountain is a busy summer park attraction, attracting families with its shallow, splashable waters.

Portland’s Public Fountains

Cool off with free fun at these kid-friendly fountains in Portland.

Make a splash

Why is it called Director Park?

Local developer Jordan Schnitzer donated $1.97 million for the plaza and asked that it be named for his maternal grandparents, Simon and Helen Director. Simon immigrated from Russia and arrived in Portland in 1910, while Helen came from Poland in 1915. The pair met in Portland in 1915 and had three daughters, June, Ruth and Arlene. (Arlene is the namesake for the nearby Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall.)

Parks & Gardens

Near Director Park

Check out these nearby local attractions in downtown Portland.

Enjoy a sunset view of downtown Portland from Departure\'s 15th-floor patio.

Keller Auditorium

The Keller Auditorium is Portland’s oldest and largest publicly owned theater building, seating more than 3,000 and hosting Broadway touring shows, opera, ballet and more.

The iconic sign and namesake courthouse at Pioneer Courthouse Square.

Pioneer Courthouse Square

Located in the heart of downtown Portland, the city’s “living room” hosts hundreds of events each year.

Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall

This historic downtown performance spaces houses the Oregon Symphony and hosts many touring acts.

Hosting an Event at this Venue?

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