CITY GEMS PORTLAND'S ST. JOHNS

By Elaine Rea

LOCATED IN NORTH PORTLAND ON A PENINSULA BETWEEN THE WILLAMETTE AND COLUMBIA RIVERS, ST. JOHNS (NO APOSTROPHE) WAS PLATTED IN THE EARLY 1850’S, CHARTERED AS A CITY IN 1902, AND INCORPORATED INTO THE CITY OF PORTLAND IN 1915. The St. Johns Bridge, which resembles a Gothic cathedral, opened in 1931 and connects the neighborhood with US Highway 30 making for a quick commute to downtown. St. Johns is walkable, and the residents are friendly and proud of their community. stjohnspdx.org

Must Do

Wonderwood

7410 N Chicago Ave wonderwoodsprings.com

Wonderwood is a newly-opened, immersive art exhibition by artist Mike Bennett. His plans are to run new installations twice a year. Admission rates are a suggested $8. Next door is a bright and popular coffee shop, Wonderwood Springs, featuring breakfast sandwiches and specialty beverages with house-made syrups and sauces.

Pier Park

10325 N Lombard Street portland.gov/parks/pier-park

This 85-acre city park has a full compliment of recreation facilities: disc golf course, skate park, outdoor swimming pool, and picnic areas. The park features forested areas with stands of giant sequoia, western red cedar, and Douglas fir. Fans of the television show, “Grim” which ran from 2011 to 2017, will recognize Pier Park as it was regularly used as a filming location.