Ira Keller Fountain Park
Rate this placeNearby: Pettygrove Park Chapman Square
Last Updated: December 5, 2025
Ira Keller Fountain Park is a popular park located in the heart of downtown Portland, Oregon.
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Summary
The park was designed by famed sculptor Lawrence Halprin and opened in 1970. It is a unique and beautiful urban space that offers visitors a refreshing escape from the hustle and bustle of the city.
One of the main reasons to visit Ira Keller Fountain Park is to see the beautiful fountain that serves as its centerpiece. The fountain is a modernist masterpiece that features a series of waterfalls and pools that cascade down several levels of terraced concrete. Visitors can walk through the fountain and enjoy the refreshing mist and spray of the water.
In addition to the fountain, there are several other points of interest to see in the park. These include a large amphitheater that hosts concerts and other events, as well as several sculptures and art installations. The park is also home to several food carts, making it a great spot for a quick meal or snack.
Interesting facts about Ira Keller Fountain Park include the fact that it was named after a former mayor of Portland who was a strong supporter of parks and open spaces. The fountain was also featured in the opening credits of the TV show Portlandia.
The best time of year to visit Ira Keller Fountain Park is during the summer months when the weather is warm and sunny. However, the park is open year-round and can be enjoyed in any season.
Overall, Ira Keller Fountain Park is a must-see destination for anyone visiting Portland. Its unique design, beautiful fountain, and central location make it a popular spot for tourists and locals alike.
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Park & Land Designation Reference
Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
State Park
Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
Local Park
Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
Wilderness Area
The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized access permitted.
National Recreation Area
Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing), often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes; may allow more development.
National Conservation Area (BLM)
BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
State Forest
State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
National Forest
Federally managed lands focused on multiple use—recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and resource extraction (like timber)—unlike the stricter protections of national parks.
Wilderness
A protected area set aside to conserve specific resources—such as wildlife, habitats, or scientific features—with regulations varying widely depending on the managing agency and purpose.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
Vast federal lands managed for mixed use—recreation, grazing, mining, conservation—with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.
Related References
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