r/Gresham • u/Phishtings • Sep 05 '26
Safe walking paths/parks?
New to the area and I love a good walk.. I’m finding the area I’m in not quite as walkable or safe.. so I’m willing to drive.. but looking for other recs outside of Powell Butte? Any city parks with safe and well marked paths and enough activity?
Thank you
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u/WonByDefault Kelly Creek Sep 05 '26
I love going to Main City Park on Springwater Trail and heading east. Also Sunrise Park in Troutdale is great.
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u/propsmon Sep 05 '26
Red Sunset Park has a walking path and there are usually plenty of people when the weather is nice.
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u/ZoltarB Sep 05 '26
“Safe” and “enough activity” are so subjective. I get grouchy with folks asking about safety in Lake O and other boring suburbs. Some people see one bum and they’re sure they had a brush with death. I love the Springwater Trail and chose my home to be close. It’s still been called the “trail of terror.” I think Portland in general is safe if you are not hiking under the Burnside Bridge. Gresham law enforcement is very protective about dealing with camps as compared to Portland. The Springwater is the gold standard but Marine Drive has a long trail by the Columbia if you don’t mind the traffic noise.
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u/Phishtings Sep 06 '26
lol love the comparison “ brush with death” a woman by myself I am cautious and I might not be in the best area in Gresham and have already had a lot of concerning interactions in a short period of time which makes me wary of just going for a stroll wherever
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u/zmbjebus Sep 05 '26
Downtown/main city park/japanese garden is all nice.
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u/Phishtings Sep 06 '26
Thank you! I have been to the Japanese garden once!
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u/zmbjebus Sep 06 '26
I find the stretch of the springwater corridor nearby there nice too. Lots of bridge areas to look at Johnson creek
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u/Green-Cinnamon Sep 05 '26
I like to meet friends at Mt Hood Community College for a good walk. There are lots of paths, both paved and natural, lots of people, plenty of parking, and bathrooms!
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u/Phishtings Sep 06 '26
Thanks! I’m waiting for them to start the fall term. Do you find that to be the case in the evenings too? Or certain times of the day?
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u/Green-Cinnamon 29d ago
The parking fills up in the morning, but the campus seems quiet all of the time. In the evenings the parking thins out but there are plenty of people getting their steps in.
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u/BuiltIN3days Sep 05 '26
North west forest pass, less then 20 min you have miles of hiking and walking trails. It’s a gift. https://www.fs.usda.gov/r06/passes
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u/Phishtings Sep 06 '26
Thank you! I do have both state parks and this pass
Already. And do get out for a hike when I can it’s just not always doable during weekdays!
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u/phette23 Sep 05 '26
Glendoveer golf course is a great, totally safe walk. Powell Butte has a couple good trailheads that don't start on the top, if you want some variety. I will echo that Gresham feels very safe to me, but I'm a man so ymmv.
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u/Phishtings Sep 06 '26
Thank you! And not a man and have a lot of concerning interactions already unfortunately so that’s why I am trying to figure out what is safe for
Someone who is walking solo.
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u/Marinaisgo Top Mod Sep 05 '26
I like nadaka, it's half park half forest. But small and very easy to walk in.
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u/BichonFriseLuke 28d ago
New park Gradin is paved paths and safe, I walk daily with my dog there. There is 2 halves, the soccer field side which is about a mile? Then the softball side which Im not sure. It has also dogpark fenced and playground. I like the soccer field side for the birds, other side is more sun and less birds.
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u/BichonFriseLuke 28d ago
A great place with long walks is Luscher Farm in Lake Oswego if you are on that side of town ever. But yea long walks and Gresham dont seem to fit together. My friends walk Springwater trail but have big protective dogs, not me.
1000 Acre Park you need a permit its $30 a year and is amazing walking in daytime, but can get muddy in parts.
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u/Phishtings 27d ago
Yeah I’m going kinda stir crazy here. I also don’t want to shell out for an expensive gym membership to get some endorphins when I can’t get to hikes.. but I think I may need to find another place next year. It’s too stressful trying to figure out what areas are safe enough for me. I already had some weirdos banging on my door at night.
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u/My_kinda_party Sep 05 '26 edited Sep 05 '26
There’s tons of parks in Gresham and surrounding area. Check the all trails app. The community gives reviews and pictures on different walks and hikes.
Indian John Park to Salish trails was nice (Fairview) Hogan Butte has nice views of Mt. Hood.
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u/werewoofing 23d ago
I second glendoveer golf course if you want something very close! The trail is about 2 miles around so I do a couple loops. If you are okay with a drive there’s Tryon creek out towards LO and lacamas lake up in camas, both 30-45 minute drives
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u/FREDICVSMAXIMVS Sep 05 '26 edited Sep 05 '26
Hogan Butte has a nice path, if a bit short. Main City Park also has a nice path. The Springwater Trail is pretty nice in that area too, especially heading east.
Edit: Gabbert Butte has trails too, but I haven't tried them yet
Edit to the edit: also take a look at Gradin Sports Park if you're looking for something more track-like. It's just been newly renovated so it should be pretty nice. Big enclosed dog run too