Council Crest Park

At 1,073 feet, Council Crest Park is the highest point in Portland. The park is a quiet place to enjoy a sunny afternoon on the ample lawns and to take in one of the most spectacular panoramic views of Portland and Beaverton. On a sunny day, Mount St. Helens, Mount Rainier, Mount Adams and Mount Hood all can been seen from the viewpoint in the center of the park. The park can be accessed by road and by trail. It ties into the Marquam Trail network that extends from downtown Portland to Washington and Forest Parks.

The park's history is as rich and varied as the city which it tops. Council Crest was named as a misnomer, as it was once believed to be a place where Native Americans held meetings. From 1907 until 1929 the park operated as Council Crest Amusement Park, with various amusement rides and an observatory where the water tower now stands. There was a cable car that took patrons up what is now the main trail to the top of the park. The amusement park was torn down in 1941, and all that remains of the cable car is a commemorative plaque.

Today Council Crest Park is visible from most of Portland because of its 440 foot red-and-white radio tower, which was rebuilt in 2009 to match the previous radio tower. It is frequented by road bikers striving for the highest spot in Portland, hikers venturing along the Marquam Trail, the occasional tour bus in search of the view, and many locals from Southwest Portland looking for a nice place to spend time with family or friends.