O'Bryant Square

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Last Updated: December 5, 2025

O'Bryant Square is a public park located in downtown Portland, Oregon.


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Summary

It covers a half-block between Southwest Park and 9th avenues and is a popular destination for locals and tourists alike. The park is named after Mayor Bill O'Bryant, who served in the 1980s.

There are several good reasons to visit O'Bryant Square. It serves as a relaxing outdoor space in the midst of the city's bustling downtown area and provides a quiet respite for those looking to escape the hustle and bustle. The park is also home to several food carts, making it a great spot for a quick lunch or snack.

One of the main points of interest in O'Bryant Square is the fountain, which serves as the centerpiece of the park. It is a popular spot for children to play in during the summer months. Additionally, the park is home to several pieces of public art and sculptures.

Interesting facts about O'Bryant Square include that it was constructed in the early 1970s as part of an urban renewal project. It was originally designed as a parking garage but was later converted into a park. The park is also home to several species of trees, including dogwoods, magnolias, and Japanese maples.

The best time of year to visit O'Bryant Square is during the summer months when the weather is mild, and the fountain is running. However, the park is open year-round, and visitors can enjoy the changing colors of the trees during the fall or the quiet solitude of a winter day.

       

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Park & Land Designation Reference

National Park
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.
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