Johnson Creek Park

Typically on Sunday mornings I take the dog on a big tour of Sellwood, sniffing opportunities for him and an excuse for me to hit up a coffee shop. Most often we end up in this park at some point and every time we are there I notice something new about it; it’s a large park and full of things to do.
The play structures are crazy cool – a giant sand box with water and trucks and buckets and a climbing area made of logs and ropes and rocks. It has to be the most enticing playground on the planet. If you’re a kid, you want to be here getting dirty and having fun.
The park is home to basketball courts, tennis courts, and some variety of bocce ball area. All are clean, well maintained, and most often open and available for use.
Not surprisingly, there is also a ton of urban wildlife here: ducks, geese, squirrels, and even herons. Wide open fields, tons of trees, and a flowing stream make it attractive to critters.
Best for last? Okay, then… There is a giant concrete pool of some sort in the middle of the park. When I first visited in January, it was drained. Now it’s full of water. Someone is going to have to help me out here as I’ve no clue what it’s for. It’s probably 3 feet deep and absolutely huge. I initially thought it might be used to play with model/​hobby boats but last weekend there was an angler practicing fly fishing in it, up to his waist in waders. If you know what it’s proper use is, share the love; I’d like to get it.

When my dog and I head to this little park, also known around the neighborhood at «The Duck Pond», she starts to pull, jump around, gettin alllll excited. Then when I let her off the leash at the edge of Johnson Creek she leaps in like a gazelle, foots all tucked under, lands, bites at the water, runs out. Repeat.
I love leaping dogs. When they’re having fun and not attacking faces, etc.
So, this small little green space has one creek that pools in a spot (duck pond) then meets with Johnson Creek. There is a jungle gym with sand and tables. You can cross a little bridge and get to a wee pennisula between the waterways where there are more picnic tables and unfenced access to a bit of Johnson Creek to traipse along with the dog.
You can tell that some douchbags still toss crap into the creeks. Lame. I pulled out, rather, had my hombre pull out, a car battery charger complete with cord. But it’s looking good, I think there are enough responsible types around who care for the park to pick up after themselves.
And did I mention the ducks? So much fun to watch as they go tocks up looking for goodies underwater.