How It All Started
Wilshire Park began as a wooded tract of land in what is now Portland’s Beaumont-Wilshire neighborhood. Originally part of a larger parcel owned by real estate investor Jacob Kamm, the land remained largely undeveloped in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Local children used the woods informally for play, while surrounding neighborhoods began to grow with the development of residential streets in the 1910s and 1920s. As houses and subdivisions expanded, residents recognized the value of the wooded area as a natural retreat and community gathering place.
In the 1920s, there was a proposal to convert the land into an automobile campground, but local residents strongly opposed the plan, fearing it would bring transient visitors and disrupt their neighborhood. This opposition demonstrated the community’s desire to protect the space for public use. Neighbors took matters into their own hands, organizing cleanups and advocating for the land to be preserved as a park. In 1933, residents successfully negotiated with the Kamm estate to allow the land to be used as a neighborhood park, with volunteer efforts funding and maintaining its early development.
By 1940, the city of Portland formally acquired the property, making it an official public park. Volunteers had already begun clearing underbrush and creating basic amenities, and over the following years the city added playground equipment, sports fields, and walking paths. The park’s name, Wilshire Park, was adopted in 1941 to reflect the surrounding community. From its origins as privately owned woodland, Wilshire Park became a lasting symbol of neighborhood initiative and commitment to preserving green space in an urban environment.
Growning Together
From past roots to present care, this park tells the story of nature and neighbors growing together. Every visit honors the legacy of those who nurtured it and inspires the next generation to do the same.
Today, Wilshire Park is a vibrant and beloved community green space at the heart of Portland’s Beaumont-Wilshire neighborhood. The park spans several acres of open lawns, mature trees, and natural areas, providing a peaceful retreat from the surrounding streets. Families and neighbors gather here for picnics, casual strolls, dog walking, and community events, enjoying the shade of tall conifers and the fresh-air environment.
The park features a range of amenities to support recreation and play. There is a playground for children, sports fields for baseball, softball, and soccer, and paved paths for walking or jogging. In recent years, efforts have been made to incorporate more nature-focused elements, such as native plant gardens that support pollinators and create pockets of natural habitat within the urban landscape. The combination of active and passive recreational spaces makes Wilshire Park welcoming to all ages.
Wilshire Park also continues to serve as a hub for community engagement. Local volunteer groups, such as Friends of Wilshire Park, collaborate with Portland Parks & Recreation to maintain and improve the space. Community planting days, cleanup projects, and neighborhood events help ensure that the park remains safe, well-kept, and a source of pride for residents. Today, it stands as both a recreational asset and a testament to the neighborhood’s long-standing commitment to preserving urban green space.