Located on the banks of the Willamette River is a true treasure of Portland, Oaks Amusement Park. Not only is it one of America’s oldest amusement parks, it is home to the oldest roller rink in the United States.

In 1905 the Portland area was gearing up for the Lewis and Clark Centennial Exposition. Meanwhile across the country streetcar companies began building “trolley parks” which were picnic areas that sometimes featured zoos, fireworks, and rides, all built in an effort to get people to ride streetcars after work and on weekends. It was the perfect time for the Oregon Water Power and Railway Company to jump on the bandwagon, and they opened “The Oaks” on May 30, 1905. Here visitors could enjoy a picnic along the water under, you guessed it, oak trees, a bathhouse, dance pavilion, and fireworks with it all illuminated by the new electric light! Over the years the park would grow and become a beloved Portland destination.

The following year, 1906, a roller rink was added. Wildly popular it has endured generation after generation, but it was nearly destroyed in 1948. Oaks Park sits along the banks of the Willamette River and in a flood plain. In the spring of 1948 Oaks, along with other areas of Portland, became submerged in what became known as the Vanport Flood. The park sat under water for almost one month, destroying the majority of the roller rink’s floor and killing some of the beloved oak trees. After rescuing some of the floor, and using it to redo the floor of the Dance Pavilion, engineers designed a floating roller rink using metal barrels below the Wisconsin rotunda maple floor. The unique solution proved itself when the area flooded again in 1964 and 1996, and the floor remained intact. Not only is the roller rink the oldest in the country, it is also the last rink to have a live organist play during skate sessions. Organists tickle the keys and push the buttons of a 100 year old Wurlitzer that came to Oaks Park by way of the Portland Broadway Theater in 1955. Visitors can see the organist in action behind a window on one side of the rink, while the pipes hang above the rink itself. I grew up going to the roller rink and one of my favorite areas was the unique wavy floor in the back. Unlike the classic rink were you skate in circles, here skaters glide over bumps in one direction and turn around to go back.

Aside from the roller rink, visitors can get their thrills on various rides. While most rides cost a few tickets to enjoy, the carousel is free. Built in 1912, it arrived at Oaks Park in 1926, and features 36 hand-carved animals, including two that are considered rare, a kangaroo and a sea dragon. Located in its original structure, the carousel was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1987. Soon the carousel will undergo a massive restoration, including enclosing the building, installing a vintage band organ, and giving it much needed ADA upgrades. Throughout the park there are a handful of rides that date to the 1950s through 1970s, including their Scrambler, Rock-O-Plane, and Spider.

While The Goonies may be Oregon’s most iconic movie, I feel that 1993’s Free Willy embodies the state a bit better, and for those who remember the film, Oaks makes an appearance as Northwest Adventure Park.

While Oaks Park changed hands over the years, today it is a non-profit, relying on donations, sponsorships, and their new Lover’s Lane photo op plaques, in addition to ride ticket sales, games, food, and rentals. Yes, you can rent out part of Oaks! The Dance Pavilion, mentioned earlier, is another one of Oaks’ historic buildings. Originally built as an open air dance floor in 1905, it was enclosed in the 1920s, and today serves as a rental space. A few years back we had friends get married there, and we enjoyed walking the park after hours.

Oaks Park is free to visit, but visitors must buy tickets or a ticket package to enjoy most rides, with games and the roller rink being an additional cost. Due to Oregon’s wet winters, Oaks Park operates seasonally, opening for spring break and ending with their Halloween event. Come bask in one of America’s last trolley parks at 7805 SE Oaks Way in Portland. For details on hours, rides, and more, please visit their website.

Sources
Flanigan, Katilin. “Portland’s Playground: The story of Oaks Amusement Park.” KOIN, 16 August 2026.
Horton, Kami. “Oaks Amusement Park opened 120 years ago.” OPB, 30 May 2025.
“Our Story & Non-Profit Mission” and “Historic Attractions & Structures” Oaks Park.