Cathedral Park

One of Portland's many beautiful urban parks, Cathedral Park lies on the Willamette River, nestled among the support columns of the towering St Johns Bridge. The Gothic stone and steel of the bridge provide an architectural counterpoint to the park's green trees and shining waters, making this space a unique favorite with the locals. Though visitors to the park these days will most likely find Portlanders frolicking with dogs, Frisbees, and fishing poles, this idyllic green space is said to be haunted by a ghost of the city's dark past. In the summer of 1949 this area was an untended snarl of brambles in which Leland Morris confined and brutalized 15 year old Thelma Taylor before ultimately murdering her. Though Morris confessed and was executed for his crimes, Taylor's tormented screams are said to still shatter the calm of summer nights in the park to this day.

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Cathedral Park is the crown jewel of the St. Johns neighborhood in Portland. Locals are proud of their park and their bridge; nearly every resident showcases a piece of bridge themed art in their living room. There is always something worth seeing at the park. Flocks of geese take up residence in a big field by the river. Spring, summer and fall, you can watch fisherman hauling out their boats - the lucky ones have sturgeon or salmon resting in coolers at the bottom. On warm summer days, families loll about in the grass, artists sketch the bridge and brides to be pose for wedding photo shoots under the arches.

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Portland’s pirates love to party – and come September they do, in force. Cathedral Park under the St. John’s Bridge is the scene of the Portland Pirate Festival, as lively a gathering of salty rogues and bawdy wenches as will be found in any port of call. Tankards of ale, the latest pirate fashion, and foods from around the seven seas entice. Emcee Mark Lewis does more than talk like a pirate and Captain Bogg & Salty rocks the young buccaneers. Disembark, fly your pirate colors, and enjoy the fun.

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Located beneath the striking Gothic-style St. Johns bridge, Cathedral Park is known for its history, music festivals and scenery. Once a Native American campsite, the park's riverbank is also believed to be where early American expedition team Lewis & Clark camped. The green steel-suspension bridge, an official historical landmark, was built in 1931 under budget and ahead of schedule. Over the next few decades, however, the area experienced an economic decline, turning the undeveloped land underneath the bridge into the stomping grounds of the criminal-minded. In the early 1970s, neighborhood activists raised millions of dollars and secured local government support to create the park. Cathedral Park is named after the cathedral-like concrete arches in the towers of the bridge. Today park users enjoy fishing and boating docks, several annual music and cultural festivals, a doggie off-leash area, and gorgeous photo opportunities.

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