Magnolia Park

Location and Overview

Located in Hillsboro's Tanasbourne neighborhood, Magnolia Park is a little urban oasis that opened its gates in 2008. This 3.11-acre community space sits quietly off northwest 102nd avenue, sandwiched between Walker and Cornell roads, just a stone's throw from the Streets of Tanasbourne shopping center.

True to its name, the park is embraced by blooming magnolia trees that add a touch of natural elegance to the scene. The greenery here is more substantial than it might first appear: the park contains 180 trees, over 1,000 flowers, and roughly 68,000 square feet of lawn. Five species of magnolia are represented among the trees, many grouped together in a dedicated Magnolia Grove that gives the park both its name and a lot of its character. It feels clean and peaceful here - a little retreat from the hustle where families can relax and enjoy themselves.

Recreational Facilities

When it opened, Magnolia Park marked two firsts for the city: it was the first park in Hillsboro to include a water play area, and the first to incorporate art into its design. Both distinctions still set it apart from much of the city's park inventory. The splash pad is a 25-foot ground-level fountain decorated with mosaic art that appears to shift color when the water is running. The mosaic incorporates magnolia tree imagery and names, and the feature also includes boulders outfitted with water jets - making it more visually interesting than a typical spray pad. Unsurprisingly, it's a popular draw during warmer months.

If you're more into sports, there's a basketball court waiting for your next game, plus a tennis court that pulls double duty as a pickleball court. The nice thing about the tennis/pickleball setup is that it's usually not as packed as courts at other parks nearby. A walking path meanders around the park's edges, great for when you just want to stretch your legs or get some light exercise while enjoying the well-kept grounds.

Family Amenities

The park has two separate playground areas for kids of different ages. The smaller playground is designed with little ones (ages 2-5) in mind, while older kids can challenge themselves on the larger structure. Both areas have swings and unique equipment that keeps children entertained for hours.

At the heart of the park stands a large covered pavilion with multiple picnic tables - ideal for everything from family lunches to birthday celebrations (you can actually reserve it for special gatherings). Across the grounds, you can find additional picnic tables and BBQ grills if you're in the mood for some outdoor cooking. There's even a chess table where you can challenge a friend to a match in the fresh air, though the pieces aren't always set up correctly.

Amenities and Facilities

The practical stuff? The park offers a portable restroom for when nature calls. Mature trees dot the landscape, creating welcome patches of shade on sunny Oregon days. The park also includes a rain garden built to collect stormwater runoff - a functional landscaping element that helps protect the health of the local watershed. It's woven into the grounds naturally enough that you might not immediately notice its purpose.

One small drawback: parking is limited to whatever street spaces you can find, which can be a bit of a challenge during peak times - especially when the splash pad is drawing crowds on hot days.

Community Value

For Tanasbourne locals, Magnolia Park functions as a neighborhood gathering place - an outdoor space where people often meet up.

Its location is particularly convenient, sitting right near Whole Foods and the Streets of Tanasbourne shopping center. This makes it easy to combine your park visit with errands or a meal out. You can easily grab snacks before settling in for playtime, or extend your outing with some shopping after the kids have burned off energy at the park.