Directly adjacent to John Wetten Elementary, Max Patterson is Gladstone's most frequented playground. There's a large play structure, swings, a splash pad for summer months, and a big grassy hill perfect for rolling down (or sledding down on those rare snow days!). Pre-pandemic the city offered a Summer Recreation Program at the park with free activities and events for kids, and hopefully we'll see that return soon. 

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Picnic tables are first come first served (no reservations) and it can get competitive in the warmer months. 

The Trolley trail roughly follows an old streetcar right-of-way between Milwaukie and Gladstone. The 6 mile trail is perfect for doing a mini-tour of local parks. The Trolley Trail connects the Clackamette, Cross, Stringfield Family, and Risley Parks. Pack some snacks and visit them all!

Boardman seems to fly under the radar, which is a shame since it's such an interesting park. It's a fairly new wetland restoration project, park, and playground. There are lots of opportunities to observe wildlife here, especially in spring. Lots of dragonflies (some pretty large!), ducks and ducklings, and nutria make it a super stimulating place to visit, especially for elementary aged kids.

There isn't a lot of shade, so be sure to think about sun protection before you go.

Cross park is a narrow greenway along the Clackamas river, perfect for family walks. For a short walk you can stick to the Gladstone side, and for a longer weekend visit you can go across the bridge and follow the trail to the Clackamette park in Oregon City. 

Meldrum Bar Park has so much to offer- river beach access, soccer and baseball fields, a track for racing RC cars, and a well loved community garden. 

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Parking fee is $3/day, and Gladstone residents can get a free annual parking pass at city hall with proof of residency. 

The Children's Course offers multiple different programs for children, using golf to teach kids valuable life skills. 

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Many of their programs offer financial aid, making their programs accessible as well as fun and engaging. 

Only about 25 minutes outside Gladstone, South Barlow Berries is the perfect spot for berry picking. They have a wide variety of fruit, but their marionberries are our family's favorite. If you can't pick your own, they sell pre-picked flats for quick canning and freezing. 

Gladstone Nature Park is a great place for a nature walk, especially for young children. The soft paths are fun to explore, and there are lots of opportunities to observe native plants. 

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Friends of Gladstone Nature Park, FOGNAP, are active in rehabilitating the park, and offer many interactive installations like StoryWalk, a Butterfly/Pollinator Hill, and a Little Library! 

The Community School program provides a broad range of learning opportunities to all ages of Gladstone residents. Sports, languages, art, investment, gardening, and more! Want to get your kid out of the dang house and building relationships as well as a new skill? Check out these Community School classes!

Mary S Young is in West Linn, but it's less than 10 minutes away from downtown Gladstone. With 128 acres, this HUGE forested park is one of our families favorites. There are multiple trails to take, some near the entrance that are fairly easy and level, and other trails that reach down to the river beach that can be challenging (in a good way!) for little feet. There's just enough wildness and challenge for preschoolers to feel like they're really exploring. 

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The park also features soccer fields and a dog park, but the real draw here are the trails. 

A 20 minute drive from Gladstone, Murase Plaza in Wilsonville is worth the short drive. Our family calls it "the barn park" because of the historic barn on site and the barn themed play equipment. There are multiple play structures, with different levels of features that make them compelling for kids for a broad range of ages. The park was renovated in the last few years, and includes a large section of the park that is accessible for kids with disabilities. 

Murase Plaza is worth a visit any time of the year, but especially in the summer, when you can take advantage of their large water feature. The park has a large interactive water feature that kids love to splash in- bring a towel!