Delta Park

Delta Park is a public municipal park complex in north Portland in the U.S. state of Oregon. It straddles Interstate 5, between the Columbia Slough on the south and the Columbia River on the north. The section east of the Interstate is known as East Delta Park, and to the west is West Delta Park. This area was formerly known as the city of Vanport, created during World War II to house shipbuilders and destroyed by a flood in 1948.^[1]

The Owens Sports Complex, a large part of East Delta Park, includes seven softball fields, nine soccer fields, and a concessions building.^[2] The complex is named for William V. Owens, a former park superintendent who developed and managed the city's softball program.^[2] East Delta Park also has a dog off-leash area, a football field, paved paths, picnic tables, a playground, and a volleyball court.^[3] The Portland Parks & Recreation Department operates the 85.34-acre (34.54 ha) park, which is open from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.^[3]

The Urban Forestry Division of the Portland Parks Department maintains a street-tree arboretum in East Delta Park. The trees are the kinds the division recommends for planting in public rights-of-way between curbs and sidewalks. Headquartered in the park, the division uses the arboretum to teach tree identification to members of Friends of Trees and similar community organizations.^[4]

Portland International Raceway, for car, motorcycle and bicycle racing, is part of West Delta Park.^[5] Sharing the park with the raceway are the Heron Lakes Golf Course,^[6] a dog off-leash area, and natural areas. Force Lake at 45°36′17″N 122°41′37″W / 45.60472°N 122.69361°W / 45.60472; -122.69361 (Force Lake)^[7] in the northwest corner of the golf course attracts many species of birds.^[1] Signs around the lake describe the wildlife and explain the history of Vanport.^[1]

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