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Park updates

Latest Park Updates  

Get INFORMATION on how to navigate the Water Bureau reservoir project. 

Parking introduction

Parking

Parking for cars is limited at Washington Park, especially during warm, sunny weekends. Looking to avoid the hassle of driving? The park has many transit options including a free shuttle.

 

Pay to Park

Pay  To  Park

Payment is required for all numbered parking spaces in Washington Park, year round. If lots are full, overflow parking is available at Sunset Transit Center.

Rates
  • $1.60/Hour
  • $4.00/All Day Off Peak Oct. — Mar.
  • $6.40/All Day Peak Apr. — Sept.
  • Rates and hours are subject to change due to special events, see pay station for details
Parking Congestion Note

Construction of the Washington Park reservoirs by the Portland Water Bureau is resulting in a loss of nearly 50% of all parking near the Portland Japanese Garden and the International Rose Test Garden. Learn more here.

Parking Map

View the parking map

How to Pay to Park

Payments can be made at pay stations or using the Passport app on your mobile phone. Pay stations accept coins (U.S. nickels, dimes, quarters, and dollar coins), VISA, MasterCard, or American Express. 

At a Pay Station
Step 1: Note your parking space number
Step 2: Visit a nearby pay station
Step 3: Pay and take your receipt, you are not required to display your receipt in your car
Step 4: Add more time later at any pay station
Via the Mobile App
Step 1: Note your parking space number
Step 2: Download the mobile app, use the mobile website, or call 503.278.5748
Step 3: Enter Zone 400 for Washington Park
Step 4: Add more time later from your phone
Hours
  • Paying to park is required every day, including holidays:
    • 9:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. near the Oregon Zoo, Children's Museum and Hoyt Arboretum
    • 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. near the International Rose Test Garden and Portland Japanese Garden
 
Accessible Parking Information

Persons displaying a disabled placard must pay to park. More information on disabled parking in the park can be found here.

 

General Information

If you have trouble paying to park at the meter, use another pay station, call 503.823.2538 for customer support, or pay using the App.

Government vehicles are not required to pay to park. For answers to more common questions, click here.

Parking Availability

Washington Park currently has some parking availability.

  • Very Little
  •  
  • A Lot
See Future Parking Availability

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Event Parking

Event Parking

If you're hosting an event in the park and expect a large number of guests, check in with your venue contact to determine what parking options are available. At this time, reserved parking options are not offered for individual guests.

For events at Portland Parks & Recreation facilities (picnic areas and pavilions), contact the Parks Customer Service Center.

Drop off and pickup, delivery zones

Drop-Off, Delivery, and Pickup Zones

Washington Park offers several passenger drop-off zones and delivery areas. It's best to schedule deliveries and drop-offs early in the morning (before 11:00 am), or later in the afternoon (after 3:00 pm). See Permits.

Please note that during warm, sunny weekends in the summer, traffic can be congested.

Drop-off permits are available for quick trips to the park, allowing you to park in a regular parking space for up to 30 minutes at no cost. Download a permit; note the dates on the permit to ensure it is valid. View the drop-off and delivery map.

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Parking Citations

Parking Citations

The City of Portland monitors and enforces parking within Washington Park. Citations are issued to vehicles in violation of City Code. If you received a citation, you can pay or appeal your citation through the Multnomah County Circuit Court. You may choose to write in an appeal via mail or appear in person.

Find more information in our Common Questions.

If you believe you received your citation due to a pay station malfunction, contact Portland Parks & Recreation with a copy of your citation and receipt here.

You may also contact customer service at 503-823-2538. Please note that customer service is not able to revoke any citation.

Bus and RV parking

Bus and RV Parking

Buses and RV’s are welcome to park in certain areas of the park that are able to accommodate their large size. Due to Water Bureau construction in 2016-2017, parking for RV's and buses is extremely limited. Oversize vehicles are able to park at gravel trailheads and in Lot A (Oct-Mar) near the Zoo, Children's Museum, and Forestry Center. TriMet Line-63 offers service to park destinations from the Zoo area. 

Please note that long buses and RV’s may have difficulty navigating the narrow park roads. Signs in these areas always take precedence and may be posted due to special events.

Parking for Employees and Volunteers

Parking for Employees and Volunteers

In addition to temporary drop-off permits (see above), Explore Washington Park and Portland Parks & Recreation offer permits for employees and volunteers.  At this time, permits for annual or seasonal visitors are not available. For employee or volunteer permits, please contact your manager to discuss options.

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Construction Alerts

Construction Alerts

  • by admin - Thu, 11/05/2015 - 13:39
Sherwood Blvd Closed - Park Ave Entrance Closed
Sherwood Blvd is closed to motor vehicles from SW Kingston/SW Rose Garden Way. Park Avenue entrance is closed to motor vehicles. For more information, click here.
Oregon Zoo
The drop-off zone near Oregon Zoo Gate D is not available due to construction. For Zoo deliveries, please call the Oregon Zoo at (503) 226-1561.
Portland Japanese Garden
The parking area closest to the Japanese Garden is closed due to renovations until March 2017.
Tennis Courts
Tennis courts #1 and #2 are closed due to construction. Tennis courts #3 through #6 remain available for use. 
Read More

Common Parking Questions

I paid but entered the wrong space number.
Call the customer service number on the meter and select the option for meter trouble. They will assist you in moving your transaction to the correct space number.
I paid for the wrong space and got a citation.
If you paid for the wrong space accidentally and received a citation, you should appeal the citation by following the instructions on the back of the ticket (option 2 or 3). Include a copy of your receipt as proof of payment and simply indicate what happened.
Can I leave and come back?
Yes, but your receipt and payment is only valid in the space you paid for. It is non-transferrable. If you park in a different space, you must pay again. Consider using the free shuttle to get around Washington Park and leave your car in a single space.
I paid for the wrong space, then paid again for the right one. Can I get a refund?
No, as indicated on the meter, no refunds are provided.
The exhibit I wanted to see is closed or the rose I like isn’t in bloom. Can I get a refund?
No, as indicated on the meter, no refunds are provided.
Can I add more parking time to my transaction?
Yes, but keep in mind that any new transaction will override the previous purchase. The best way to add more time is use the Passport Parking app when your time is about to expire.
I believe I was double charged.
Please have the credit card you used and your receipt ready and dial the customer service number on the back of your receipt. Many times guests visiting the Oregon Zoo purchased something inside an attraction that is equal to the amount they paid for parking, and it appears as though they were double charged. Note that meter transactions will appear as CITY OF PORTLAND or PARKS or WA PARK on bank statements.
Can I park overnight?
Overnight parking is only allowed in Lots A, B, and C. Parking at trailheads, the Gardens, and Hoyt Arboretum and all other signed areas is prohibited from 10:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m.
The meter isn’t working. Can I park for free?
No. Please use a different meter nearby to pay. You can also use the mobile app to pay – see details on the side of the meter. If you’re still having trouble, call the number on the meter and select the option for meter trouble.
Can I park by truck/RV/bus over several spaces?
Oversize vehicles are restricted to specific areas of Washington Park. See Oversize Vehicle information. Note: if your truck, mini-RV or bus can fit into a single space, it is not considered an oversize vehicle and may park in any general pay-to-park space.

Still have questions? Please contact us here or on our social channels.