Designed by William Ladd, five small parcels make up this park. The centerpiece to Ladd's Addition, the blocks have been renovated recently, improving the much needed irrigation system. The best rose garden in Portland to visit by auto, the area also makes for a lovely place to take a stroll. Worth a visit, the gardens and their surroundings transport visitors into Portland's past winter, spring, summer and fall. There are no fees to use the park.
Established in 1855, this is one of the oldest bone orchards in Portland. It's located right on Morrison Street, so there is some traffic noise, but it still manages to be a tranquil place in the city. Graveyard fans will find many interesting markers here, obelisks, a creepy Gothic crypt, and a memorial to the Grand Army of the Republic with Abraham Lincoln's face on it. The cemetery is popular with noisy crows that hop between the markers.
Atkinson Memorial Church is the oldest of its kind in the west. Since 1844, the independent church has supported religious freedom and diversity, welcoming all denominations into its fold. Apart from the mass services, programs for children are also offered. The towering, majestic church is awe-inspiring and reflects a touch of European opulence. The congregation, by contrast, is down-to-earth and happy to greet new members. The church is available for weddings and other special events.
This historical Lutheran church has graced the downtown area since 1891. St.James Lutheran Church boasts exquisite architectural detailing with windows of nearly every shape and size. Rather than just the one steeple that adorns most churches, here you will find several surrounding the large structure. The immaculate interior features a beautifully ornate sanctuary that needs to be seen to be believed.
Valley Community Presbyterian Church, always strives to achieve all round growth of the community along with the spiritual awareness. It tries to reach out to the diverse groups of different ages and sexes. Camps and workshops for youngsters and teenagers are organized. The highlight is the 'Valley Academy of Performing Arts', a part of the church that introduces various forms of arts. It hosts the summer Music and Drama Camp and summer Arts Exploration Camp, which gives a hands-on-experience of theater to the participants. Truly, the constant endeavor to uplift the community is evident.
The grand Smith Center Ballroom occupies the third floor of the PSU's Smith Memorial Student Union building. Spread across 6,400 sq.ft, the facilities has the capacity of up to 500 guests. The interiors are is vividly rich and elegant, and a large screen adorns the wall. This breath-taking venue is a great place for hosting all kinds of college level and non-collegiate events and it is the hub of all student activities. At the same time it is flexible enough to accommodate any private event or party and they also offer great lighting and sound support for all occasions.