Bicentennial Park

A Touch of History in Hillsboro

Tucked away at the corner of northeast 25th Avenue and Parkwood sits Bicentennial Park, a 4-acre green space with a story to tell. The land was originally acquired by the city around 1962 specifically to build a water reservoir, but in December of that year, the roof of the water tower collapsed while workers were trying to complete its dome, killing five people. In the aftermath, the Hillsboro Utilities Commission transferred the land to the parks department, and it was eventually developed into the park that opened in 1975.

The park was officially dedicated on October 19, 1976 - the date of Hillsboro's one-hundredth birthday - in a ceremony attended by Mayor Miller M. Duris, Oregon Governor Robert Straub, and roughly 100 others. The name wasn't chosen on a whim: it commemorates both America's Bicentennial celebration and Hillsboro's centennial as an incorporated city, a historical double-feature that gives the park its distinct identity.

For several decades, the park also shared its grounds with a working fire station. The temporary facility occupied about a third of an acre within the park and opened in 1977, despite some opposition from the surrounding neighborhood. It operated for roughly 30 years before closing around 2010, when a new fire station was built at the nearby Hillsboro Airport.

The Park's Unique Character

You can't miss the park's most distinctive landmark: a massive green water reservoir spanning 150 feet in diameter. This isn't just for show - it actually holds up to 6 million gallons of water as part of the city's water system. It's infrastructure with a view.

Along the southern edge, majestic oak trees create natural shade canopies, ideal for those hot summer days when you're looking for a break from the sun.

Play and Recreation Spaces

Despite its relatively modest size, Bicentennial Park packs in plenty of fun. There's a soccer field that's just right for a casual game, and a modern playground that kids tend to make a beeline for. The play area features a climbing boulder, a wobbly wobble bridge that never fails to produce giggles, multiple slides, swings, and an old-school teeter-totter.

One of the coolest features has to be the traffic safety bike path. With its painted lines and stop signs, it's an excellent spot for little ones to practice cycling and learn road rules in a safe environment.

Thoughtful Design and Amenities

Parents will appreciate that the playground area is completely fenced, making it easier to keep track of energetic youngsters. The equipment is thoughtfully designed for various age groups, from toddlers just finding their feet to school-aged children looking for more challenging play.

There are covered picnic tables in shaded areas for when you need a meal break, and two clean restrooms are conveniently located just outside the fenced playground area.

A Local Park

What makes Bicentennial Park special is how it functions as a gathering place for locals. The open field is spacious enough for activities without feeling exposed, and its central location in a residential area means it's just a short walk for many neighbors.

While not the largest or most famous park in Hillsboro, its thoughtful design and neighborhood setting give it a cozy feel, making it popular for playground meetups and weekend picnics.