The land was formerly a 25-acre gravel quarry and landfill before being remediated for public use.
The park features a culturally significant Native Gathering Garden, designed to support traditional plant harvesting.
It is one of the few large-scale public parks in Portland developed through a direct partnership with neighborhood community organizations.
The park layout includes a specific area designed to honor the history and presence of Indigenous peoples in the region.
The site utilizes sustainable drainage systems to manage stormwater runoff from the former industrial landscape.
Thomas Cully Park is a 25-acre community space transformed from a former landfill into a multifunctional urban park in Northeast Portland. It features a large inclusive playground, a multi-sport athletic field, and a dedicated off-leash dog area. The park includes a native gathering garden designed in collaboration with local Indigenous communities. A significant portion of the site is designated as a nature meadow, preserving local flora and providing habitat for urban wildlife. The park also hosts a basketball court and extensive walking paths that circle the perimeter. Development of the park was a decade-long collaborative effort between Portland Parks & Recreation and the Cully neighborhood coalition. Visitors can access elevated viewpoints that offer a contrast to the park's low-lying meadow topography.
The elevated boardwalk and viewing area overlooking the meadow during the golden hour.
Bring sun protection as the meadow and sports field areas have limited natural tree cover.
Check the weather before visiting, as the open layout is highly exposed to wind and rain.
Utilize the paved paths if you are visiting after heavy rain to avoid muddy conditions in the meadow sections.
Do not attempt to access the fenced-off perimeter zones near the industrial service roads.
Leash your dog in non-designated areas; pack out all trash to maintain the remediated landscape.
