Portlandia in Pictures: Overlook Park and N. Willamette Blvd.

Portlandia has no shortage of parks, so even longtime residents have trouble visiting them all. The smaller, less impressive parks are often overlooked (no pun intended), but many have unique features that make them worth a visit. In the case of Overlook Park, the draw is a unique view of the city from the inner NE bluffs above the Swan Island industrial district. As a bonus, you’ll often find yourself virtually alone in the park, although there is a softball field that might occasionally attract a crowd.

Best time to visit is definitely during the day, preferably one of those excellent ultra-clear days we get on occasion. You’ll get excellent perspectives on the Fremont Bridge, downtown, the NW industrial area and Forest Park. If you do catch a clear day, take some extra time to head north of Overlook Park to N. Willamette Blvd. From there, you’ll catch a different perspective where you can see the Southern Cascades silhouetted behind the downtown skyline.