Features

Oaks Amusement Park Reboots in Time for Memorial Day Weekend

Portland, OR. After months of pandemic regulatory uncertainty, Oaks Amusement Park is up and running. (The park is a nonprofit located near the east side of the Sellwood Bridge at 7805 SE Oaks Park Way Portland OR, 97202.) Managers are, “thrilled to announce that our rides, mini-golf, and midway games are now reopened on a limited-capacity basis! After a historic period of closure, we are excited to welcome your family to once again connect with an iconic piece of local history while enjoying safe, wholesome, family fun on the midway.” Masks are optional outdoors and are strongly recommended for guests that are unvaccinated or are at high risk of COVID-19. Visitors must buy ride bracelets in advance and only a limited number are sold. Here’s a link to check it out.

Oaks Park has been “where the fun never ends” since 1905 and is among the oldest continually operating amusement parks in America.

Masks are required indoors for all guests five (5) years of age and older, and children between two (2) and five (5) years of age are strongly encouraged to wear a mask or face covering.

All masks and face coverings should be family-appropriate and cover the wearer’s nose and mouth, fit snuggly against the sides of the face, be made of breathable material, and be secured in place.

Here’s a video about all the rides:

A special edition of the Multnomah County Fair is happening at Oaks Park this Memorial Day weekend. This year’s modified fair features creations by local artists, gardeners, crafters, bakers, and more, on display in the Historic Dance Pavilion at Oaks Park. Admission to the exhibits is FREE; capacity limitations apply and timed-entry tickets must be reserved online in advance. Tickets are valid for a 45-minute visit to the exhibit hall during a specified time block on Saturday, May 29th, 12-6 PM, and Sunday, May 30th12-4:30 PM.

For more information about the fair visit multcofair.org.

Here’s a look at the hours for Oaks Park:

Spring (now through June 13): FRI-SUN, 12-7 PM
Summer/Fall: View the hours’ calendar

A limited number of amusement park ride bracelets are available per day. Ride bracelets must be purchased online in advance. Due to capacity mandates, ride bracelet offerings have been updated and simplified to two ticket options:

Ride Bracelet: $39.95
Under 48″ Ride Bracelet: $19.95

Ride bracelets are required for everyone participating in attractions; non-riders are welcome to enter the park at no charge. The ride bracelet includes access to all of the rides (height limits and rider restrictions apply).

Roller skating, miniature golf, and midway games are sold separately. For information about a group discount on ride bracelets, visit the Groups Page. If you have a pass or unredeemed ride bracelet with a 2020 expiration, please click here for information.

Oaks Park Mission Statement:

In honor of the spirit and donation of Robert Bollinger, Oaks Park Association (OPA) serves as a private non-profit organization whose mission is the preservation and perpetuation of the historic amusement park as an affordable, safe, and family-friendly recreation attraction open to the general public.

The OPA will provide stewardship of the real estate of the historic park site on the Willamette River through maintenance of its landscape, buildings, structures, pedestrian and vehicular access ways, and utility infrastructure.

The OPA will preserve, maintain, renew, replace, and develop buildings and attractions appropriate to a historic amusement park including the nation’s longest continuously operating roller skating rink; the unique historic carousel, and other outdoor rides appropriate to a broad range of ages; games, and refreshments.

The OPA will provide management and operation of features of the park, either directly or through a contract with other compatible entities, to achieve a safe and inviting recreation environment for the general public.

The OPA will promote public awareness of the park heritage and its facilities as a destination for family gatherings, group events, community activities, organized recreation as well as individual enjoyment.

Elisa Klein

I’ve been a professional journalist and writer since 1987, (and long-time reporter for KOIN-TV.) As a nationally published reporter, with a Master’s Degree in Journalism, I love to report positive news and information. Journalism has also connected me with another non-profit where I served as a leader; the Northwest’s biggest writer’s organization: The Willamette Writers.