Metro Parent Magazine July 2014 | Page 8

OUTDOOR FUN Water, Water Everywhere continued from page 7 Director Park - 815 SW Park; portlandparks.org. This downtown open space features a fountain, with concerts, events and Wi-Fi. Essential Forces Fountain - Rose Quarter, south side of the Moda Center. Esther Short Park - W 8th & Columbia, Vancouver; cityofvancouver.us. Vancouver’s living room features a fountain, plus concerts, play area, Farmers Market and more. Wondering if camping is for you? Check out Let’s Go Camping, a state parks program offering a fantastic introduction to camping – including gear to borrow and more – for newbie campers. Grant Park - NE 33rd & US Grant Pl; 503-823-2525; portlandparks.org. Beverly Cleary fans will delight in the Ramona-themed water feature. Happy Valley Park - 13770 SE Ridgecrest, Happy Valley; www.ci.happy-valley.or.us. Water features include showers, streams and sprays. Jamison Square - 810 NW 11th; portlandparks.org. This popular Pearl District square features a fountain that ebbs and flows like a shallow tidal pool. PHOTO COURTESY OREGON PARKS AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT Keller Fountain Park - SW 3rd & Clay; portlandparks.org. A fun fountain and public art. Magnolia Park - 1810 NW 192nd, Hillsboro; hillsboro-oregon.gov. Zero-depth water feature with spray jets. Max Patterson Memorial Park - 400 E Exeter, Gladstone; ci.gladstone.or.us. The interactive spray park uses a recirculating water system with filtration and chlorine sanitizer. Millennium Plaza Park - 200 1st, Lake Oswego; ci.oswego.or.us. Concerts, farmers market, a fountain and more. Rivercrest Park - 131 Park, Oregon City; orcity.org. Features in-ground and above-ground spray nozzles, water cannons, splash buckets and more. Tanner Creek Park - 3456 Parker, West Linn; westlinnoregon.gov. Town Center Park - 29800 SW Park Pl, Wilsonville; ci.wilsonville.or.us. « LET’S GO CAMPING! » To make sure every family can enjoy the great outdoors, the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department (OPRD) hosts a fantastic series of weekend camping trips for novices at state parks around Oregon. No gear? No problem! They’ll lend you some. Plus, they have helpful folks on hand to show you the ropes, from putting up the tent to building a fire. These experts also lead hikes and activities. The program costs only $30 per family for the entire weekend. Families bring their own food, but OPRD provides some yummy surprises! Visit oregonstateparks.org or call 888-953-7677 for more details. Reservations are required. Here’s this su