Metro Parent Magazine August 2014 | Page 31

Patrick Barton, 8, explores the creekbed. OUTDOOR ADVENTURE Portland Children’s Museum 4015 SW Canyon Rd Portland, OR 97221 (503) 223-6500 www.portlandcm.org Open daily 9 a.m.-5 p.m., closed major holidays Admission: Under 1 free, 1-54 $10, over 55 and military $9 Target Free First Fridays: free admission from 4 p.m. -8 p.m. Local libraries also allow you to check out free admission passes for the museum. Outdoor Adventure is free for members and included in museum admission. PHOTOS BY MICHAEL BARTON. below are designed for programs, performances and birthday parties. In May, internationally renowned artist Patrick Dougherty, with help from volunteers, constructed a woven stick sculpture that twists and turns, perfect for a game of hide-and-seek. And students from the museum’s Opal School created art pieces for a large mural of animals and plants that now graces the side of the building facing Outdoor Adventure. My kids and I have visited Outdoor Adventure once during the grand opening celebration in April and again in June. Families could easily spend a couple of hours exploring the exhibit. Before entering the museum from the exhibit, visitors pass through The Field Station, an indoor space to relax and learn more about nature. During our first visit, it rained pretty hard, and while many folks hurried into The Field Station (my 1-year-old daughter and myself included), my 8-year-old son remained outside. After the rain stopped and we went back outside, he told me, “I was already soaking wet from playing in the creek. So I figured I could stay and play in the rain.” He hit the nail on the head: As Outdoor Adventure reminds us, when you’re a kid — and hey, it’s true for grown-ups too — it’s okay to get dirty, and it’s okay to get wet. n Parking: Washington Park pay stations: $1.60/hour; $4.00 All Day (OctoberMarch); $6.40 All Day (April-September). Parking can be paid at any pay station throughout Washington Park. Trimet: Washington Park and its attractions are easy to access by light rail (MAX Red Line and MAX Blue Line) www.trimet.org. metro-parent.com | August 2014 31