Deering Oaks Playground

Portland

Gritty and Great

Deering Oaks Park was founded with the people in mind, and you can tell from the playground. After you finish strolling the Farmers' Market and feeding the ducks with the rest of the suburbanites, head down to the playground to experience the real Portland. The equipment is great - there's a cool truck to climb and drive, the climbing structure has plenty of room to run, and the swings include those funky high-backed ones - and it's covered with graffiti. Yes, now's the time to be glad the little ones can't read yet, and to soak in Portland's true gritty diversity.