Jamison Square

Splash Around in the Interactive Fountain

At the heart of Jamison Square sits a truly imaginative fountain designed to mimic a shallow tidal pool. Water gently tumbles from stone joints into low pools, all while eco-friendly pumps and motors keep the treated water circulating continuously.

This spot is popular with families with little ones, who transform it into an impromptu wading pool when temperatures rise. The fountain operates on a timing system, alternating between filling and draining - creating little puddles ideal for splashing.

Cool Off in the Water Feature

During those sweltering summer days, this fountain becomes everyone's favorite retreat. The water is treated for safety (yes, you might catch a whiff of chlorine, but it's keeping things clean).

You can hop from rock to rock while water cascades around you, cooling your feet as you go. Not feeling like getting wet? The surrounding stone blocks double as perfect casual seating - ideal for enjoying your lunch or simply soaking up some sunshine.

Discover Artistic Touches

Keep your eyes peeled for several impressive art pieces within the park. Four towering 30-foot sculptures known as the Tikitotemoniki Totems by Kenny Scharf add a pop of personality to the streetcar catenary poles along the edge of the park.

You'll also find Contact II, an interesting metal sculpture created by Alexander Liberman back in 1972 and donated to Portland in 2002.

More recently, a charming red granite sculpture shaped like a brown bear joined the collection in 2006. Created by artist Mauricio Saldaña, it was commissioned by the Portland Pearl Rotary Club.

Explore the Thoughtful Design

PWP Landscape Architecture designed this urban oasis with careful attention to detail, including a beautiful wooden boardwalk crafted from durable ipê wood. Eventually, this boardwalk is meant to extend all the way to the Willamette River, connecting Jamison Square with neighboring parks.

Opened in 2002, this cozy one-acre pocket park was actually the first of three planned parks developed as part of the River District urban renewal project.

Enjoy Practical Amenities

You'll come across everything you need for a comfortable visit here. There's a Portland Loo public restroom tucked into the corner of the park, plus drinking water available when you need to refill your bottle.

Comfortable benches are scattered throughout, and soft grassy areas make for perfect picnic spots. When the sun gets intense, mature trees offer welcome patches of shade.

Bring Your Four-Legged Friends

Dog lovers, rejoice! Your furry companions are welcome here. On hot days, many pups cool off in the water feature alongside the kids. You'll typically find dog waste bags available to help keep things tidy.

There's even a fine-grained sand area behind the water feature that seems to be particularly popular with the dog-owning crowd.

Experience Seasonal Charm

While summer water play might be the main attraction, Jamison Square transforms with the seasons. During winter holidays, festive decorations appear - twinkling lights and a Christmas tree create a warm, cheerful atmosphere even on chilly evenings.

Feel the Neighborhood Connection

Named after William Jamison, a gallery owner who was instrumental in shaping the Pearl District's development, this park has evolved into something special - a central gathering place that brings the neighborhood together.

It provides an urban retreat in the Pearl District, where locals and visitors can connect with nature amid the city landscape.