Pidgeon Park

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Last Updated: December 5, 2025

Pioneer Courthouse Square, located in downtown Portland, Oregon, is an urban park often referred to as "Portland's living room." The area was once a bustling shopping district, but by the 1970s it had become a hub for drug use and crime.


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Summary

In an effort to combat this, the city created Pidgeon Park in 1973, which was intended to be a safe and welcoming space for everyone.

Visitors to Pidgeon Park can enjoy a variety of activities, including a playground for children, a basketball court, and plenty of open space for picnics or games. The park is also home to several public art installations, including a fountain and a sculpture of a giant bird.

One of the park's most interesting features is its namesake: pigeons. The birds have been a fixture of the area for decades, and many Portland residents have fond memories of feeding them as children. While feeding the pigeons is no longer allowed, visitors can still enjoy watching them roost and fly around the park.

The best time to visit Pidgeon 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, Pidgeon Park is a great destination for anyone looking for a fun and family-friendly outdoor space in the heart of Portland. Its rich history and unique character make it a must-visit for tourists and locals alike.

       

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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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