Agent Info
Marisa Swenson
Earth Advantage Broker
971-285-7955
Agency Info
MRealty Inc
2211 NW Front Ave Ste. 101
Portland, OR 97209
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The Grotto
photo by Marisa Swenson
Located at the base of Rocky Butte, The Grotto is a great place to get away for a second and enjoy some peace and quiet in a busy, noisy city. Technically, it is a 62 acre Catholic shrine carved into the hill of the mountain but you don’t have to be Catholic to enter and enjoy the beautiful plants and wildlife. Stop into the gift shop and get a token to ride the elevator that is built into the rock wall that will take you to the top of the hill/mountain. Up top you will find the Meditation Chapel (you know that glowing white cross you see coming to Portland on the 205? that’s what it is) which is a sound proof room designed for you to meditate. I will have to admit though if you walk up to the floor to ceiling glass window that runs flush with the mountains cliffs, it give you a slight rush thinking you might actually be able to fall off of it (not recommended trying if there are actually people in there meditating).
Located at the base of Rocky Butte:
8840 NE Skidmore
Portland, OR 97220
Rocky Butte Park
Rocky Butte is an extinct volcanic cinder cone that is a member of the Boring Lava Fields group of more than 30 extinct volcanoes in Portland, OR. Today, Rocky Butte is home to Joseph Woodhill Park and is a popular destination for rock climbers that don’t want to travel out of the city limits. The Grotto, one of my favorite places to take photos at, is also located at the base of Rocky Butte.
Located at:
3351 NE Rocky Butte Rd
Portland, OR 97220
Powell Butte Nature Park
Powell Butte is a member of the Boring Lava Fields group of extinct cinder cone volcanoes in and around Portland. Having been extinct for over 300,000 years it is now used as a city park facility. Activities include: hiking, bike and equestrian trails.
Located at:
16160 SE Powell Blvd
Portland, OR
The Boring Lava Fields
A couple of years ago I took an Oregon geography class at PCC and was introduce to the Boring Lava fields in Portland. I am a Portland native and had never heard of these and became fascinated with them. The Boring Lava Fields is the name given to all the small mountains that we have sprinkled through the city and along the outskirts of South Eastern Portland to Boring. The lava field is a series of 32-50 (apparently they are still locating all of them) cinder cone and shield cone volcanoes that were formed 2.7 million years ago but have been extinct for about 300,000 years. Some of these extinct volcanoes have been turned into amazing parks while others have been just names as mountains.
Here is a list of some of the more popular ones:
Mt.Scott
Kelly Butte
Larch Mountain
Mt. Sylvania
Mt. Tabor Park
photo by Marisa Swenson
This extinct cinder cone volcano is one of the most unique parks in Portland. Part of the Boring Lava Field chain of extinct shield and cinder cone volcanos, the main rocks that you will find of course is lava rocks. Other features of the park include: amphitheater, dog off-leash area, children’s play area, tennis courts, multiple picnic areas, basketball court refurbished by Nike a couple of years ago (thus the huge swoosh in the center of the court), a track at the top of the park good for running laps, very steep stairs good for exercise, and picturesque reservoirs that are still functional (and not covered thanks to the neighborhood association).
Located at:
SE 69th and Belmont
Portland, OR 97215
Montavilla Community Center and Park
photo by Marisa Swenson
I’m a Mom of an almost 2 year old so when me and the little man get cabin fever on a Tuesday, Thursday or Friday we jet up to the Montavilla Community Center a couple of blocks away and get our indoor park on! It is a bargain at only $.50 for 2 solid hours of hardcore, nap inducing playtime. It is a great place to bond with other neighbors and moms. The community center also offers a ton of classes, outdoor swimming in the summer and hosts the monthly Neighborhood Association meetings. Montavilla Park is connected to the community center.
Located at:
8219 NE Glisan
Portland, OR 97220
