Second Street Pocket Park, City of Hood River

PLEASE NOTE: This park has not been maintained by us for the past two years (after having done so for 20 years), nor does the City of Hood River seem to have contracted with any maintenance company as of July 2023. Therefore, sadly the plants are dying.

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Award-winning design – Perennial Plant Association Honor Award

The Second Street Pocket Park is located in downtown Hood River, north of Overlook Memorial Park, just a few feet from Oak Street, the City’s main street. The Pocket Park was designed by Marion McNew, and the planters and plantings were installed by Mount Hood Gardens in fall of 2000. This miniature park provides an inviting and surprisingly private place to sit and enjoy a cozy lunch or respite, just seconds away from the hustle and bustle of Oak Street. 

HISTORY: During Urban Renewal construction in 1998, wider sidewalks were created on both sides of Second Street, allowing for placement of large planters. On the street’s west side, unsightly power transformers needed to be screened. This led to the creation of the Pocket Park, just west of the utilities, incorporating several benches with the chosen robust, durable planters. The sloping street and sidewalk necessitated the construction of a large concrete pad, surrounded by metal railing, to create a level, safe surface for the planters and benches enveloping the small park. The entrance is handicapped-accessible.

DESIGN: The space was designed as a harbor shape, resulting in a private, comfortable seating area partially screened from the street. The sturdy, attractive terra cotta-colored planters are made of glass-fiber reinforced composite stone and fitted with a self-watering system. They contain a water reservoir that requires only weekly refilling during the summer.

PLANTS: The plant palette in the planters includes dwarf conifers, small shrubs, ornamental grasses, perennials and bulbs. The plants were chosen for their superior foliage and texture, and long blooming period. They display warm, bright and earth tone colors, fusing planters and paint colors of nearby buildings. The plant combinations furnish low-maintenance, continuous and nearly year-round interest, and echo the natural qualities of the Gorge surroundings.

The Second Street Pocket Park and Marion McNew received an Honor Award (First Place) from the Perennial Plant Association in 2003, in their national landscape design competition. View announcement.

 BEFORE PHOTOS
(Please click image for an enlarged view)

The future Second Street Pocket Park in October of 2000, south-facing view

The future Second Street Pocket Park in October of 2000, south-facing view

The future Second Street Pocket Park in October of 2000, north-facing view

The future Second Street Pocket Park in October of 2000, north-facing view

The planters are being installed, late October 2000

The planters are being installed, late October 2000

 AFTER PHOTOS
(Please click image for an enlarged view)

Late spring scene at Second Street Pocket Park, May 2009

Late spring scene at Second Street Pocket Park, May 2009

Flourishing plantings in late June of 2011

Flourishing plantings in late June of 2011

A close-up view of the intimate seating area, late June 2011

A close-up view of the intimate seating area, late June 2011

Second Street Pocket Park in its fall glory, October 2007

Second Street Pocket Park in its fall glory, October 2007

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