Portland Memory Garden

Portland Memory Garden Peaceful therapeutic garden oasis on city park land. Uniquely designed to support older people, especially those with memory loss and their caregivers.

Open to all daily, 8 AM to 9 PM. Dedicated in May 2002, the Portland Memory Garden is one of eight memory gardens in the U.S., and one of only two built on public land. The garden is a national demonstration garden project, created as part of the 100 Parks, 100 Years centennial celebration of the American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA). One of the goals of the Portland Memory Garden is to

provide members of the community with therapeutic and educational activities through horticulture. The garden is a wonderful place to take a loved one in need of a safe and comfortable environment. The circular path design is ideal for people with Alzheimer's and other memory problems. This unique design minimizes disorientation while still providing your loved one with a sense of physical movement and topographic distance. The park also provides a sense of enclosure and safety, as there is only one exit/entrance. This project was a collaborative effort among the Oregon-Greater Idaho Chapter of the Alzheimer's Association, American Society of Landscape Architects, Center of Design for an Aging Society, Portland State University/School of Urban Studies & Planning, Legacy Health Systems, and Portland Parks & Recreation.

Portland Memory Garden continues our free summer music series with a performance by S**t City Jellyroll Society!Join us ...
08/07/2026

Portland Memory Garden continues our free summer music series with a performance by S**t City Jellyroll Society!

Join us Saturday, August 8th from 11:30 AM to 1 PM for a lively show in a beautiful garden setting!

About the Artist:
S**t City Jellyroll Society takes you back to the 1920’s and 30’s, the early days of both blues and jazz. Featuring powerful vocals by Chelsea Barnes, fingerpicked guitar by Doug Shafer, and a strong grooving rhythm section with Bernardo Gomez on bass, the band has become very popular with local swing and blues dancers.

The band plays frequently around the area in venues both big and small, always putting a smile on the faces in the audience and getting folks up to dance.

About Music in the Garden:
From June to September, Friends of Portland Memory Garden hosts live music in the garden twice a month from 11:30 AM to 1 PM, weather permitting.

Like nature, music offers therapeutic benefits—helping to soothe, uplift, and spark connection.

Save the following dates to your calendar and join us in the garden for a joyful live music experience.

Sat, Aug 8 S**t City Jellyroll Society
Sat, Aug 22 Paul Summers Jr., Guitar
Sat, Sept 12 Jamie Turbett, Cello
Sun, Sept 13 Hollywood Ukulele Group

We are excited to welcome you to another wonderful musical experience at Portland Memory Garden! Join us tomorrow, Satur...
07/24/2026

We are excited to welcome you to another wonderful musical experience at Portland Memory Garden! Join us tomorrow, Saturday July 25th from 11:30 to 1 PM for a healing sound session with Paul Summers Jr.

Paul Summers Jr. is a vibe merchant for Harmonic Heartsongs, whose immersive offering of sound and mindfulness centers on the healing frequency of 528Hz one of the Solfeggio frequencies.

Using acoustic guitar tuned to this ancient vibrational scale, Paul weaves layered, ambient soundscapes with sacred instruments including Native American Medicine Drum, gong, chimes, and vocal toning.

His unique vibrational wellness session invites participants to explore the energetic field of non-invasive medicine as a felt state in the body. As the sound unfolds, the nervous system softens and the mind settles, allowing space to reconnect with appreciation, presence, and heart-centered awareness.

Follow Paul Summers Jr. on Instagram
Paul Summers Jr. Sound Healing

Or check out his website for more information
https://www.paulsummersjr.com/

Join us tomorrow, Saturday July 11th from 11:30 AM to 1 PM at Portland Memory Garden from for a special live musical gue...
07/10/2026

Join us tomorrow, Saturday July 11th from 11:30 AM to 1 PM at Portland Memory Garden from for a special live musical guest!

Trio Açai explores classic bossa nova sounds – great music for dancing, contemplating the sea, or just enjoying life!

Steve Cheseborough (vocals, guitar), known for playing the blues, got hooked on Brazilian music a few years ago and went with it, heart and soul.

Lindsay Hess (cello), classically trained and New Orleans-schooled, applies her creativity in strange and wonderful ways

Keegan Leonberg (percussion), one of Portland’s most in-demand drummers, adds his subtle yet powerful pulse to this project

We look forward to seeing you there!

Photo credit: Sarah Risser

Music in the Garden is back at Portland Memory Garden for another exciting summer! We are very excited to welcome musica...
07/08/2026

Music in the Garden is back at Portland Memory Garden for another exciting summer! We are very excited to welcome musical guests to perform at our lovely outdoor oasis.

Stop by from 11:30 AM to 1 PM on Saturday July 11th to enjoy a stroll through the garden accompanied by acoustic bossa nova music by Trio Açaí.

Can’t make it this Saturday? Music in the Garden will occur every other Saturday through September. Check out our flyer to see a list of upcoming musical acts.

Board Member Spotlight: Lynda Meeder!Lynda joined the board of Friends of Portland Memory Garden earlier this year and h...
06/30/2026

Board Member Spotlight: Lynda Meeder!

Lynda joined the board of Friends of Portland Memory Garden earlier this year and has already become a force within our organization.

She brings over 40 years of experience in education, counseling, and therapeutic yoga—supporting children, families, and adults facing physical, cognitive, and emotional challenges. Her background makes her an amazing asset to our team.

Lynda discovered the garden on walks in her neighborhood and was drawn to its sense of calm and purpose. She says that volunteering with FPMG feels like a natural way to give back to a space that means so much.

She is a dedicated volunteer, helping tend the space, welcome community members, and contribute to the garden’s ongoing care, beauty, and accessibility. Her most recent effort involved organizing and planning this summer’s Music in the Garden series.

Her favorite plant in the garden is the ironwood tree because of its quiet strength, graceful form, and enduring presence.

When asked what the garden means to her, Lynda said the following:

“The garden is a sanctuary—offering beauty, dignity, and connection for people living with memory loss, their caregivers, and the wider community. I’m grateful to help care for a place rooted in compassion.”

Our 24th Anniversary Celebration is tomorrow!Come and enjoy our beautiful garden with music provided by harpist Maureen ...
06/26/2026

Our 24th Anniversary Celebration is tomorrow!

Come and enjoy our beautiful garden with music provided by harpist Maureen Briare. There will be light refreshments and activities for the whole family.

Free for all! Free street parking available.

Pack a picnic, bring your friends and family, and help us kick off our 25th year in style!

We’re gonna be on the news!Portland Memory Garden will be featured on AM Northwest, airing on Friday, June 26th from 9-1...
06/25/2026

We’re gonna be on the news!

Portland Memory Garden will be featured on AM Northwest, airing on Friday, June 26th from 9-10 AM on KATU ABC Channel 2.

The segment will contain an interview with our very own Vice President, Brian Bainnson.

Be sure to tune in to learn more about the garden design, upcoming events, and how to get involved!

Watch the full interview here:
https://katu.com/amnw/am-northwest-lifestyle-health/portland-memory-garden

Friends of Portland Memory Garden is a volunteer based non-profit organization with a mission to enhance the lives of ol...
06/24/2026

Friends of Portland Memory Garden is a volunteer based non-profit organization with a mission to enhance the lives of older adults, including individuals with memory disorders and their caregivers, by maintaining the Portland Memory Garden, involving the larger community, and providing therapeutic and educational activities.

Our continued success relies on the contributions of organizations and community members that care about our cause. Your donations directly help with garden maintenance, events, and programs that benefit the populations we serve.

Click the link below to donate to Friends of Portland Memory Garden today and help to keep our mission going strong! 

https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=K7EQE2C325Y4C

Friends of Portland Memory Garden is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Federal tax ID: 80-0178710

Friends of Portland Memory in collaboration with Oregon State University Extension Master Gardener™ Program are excited ...
06/23/2026

Friends of Portland Memory in collaboration with Oregon State University Extension Master Gardener™ Program are excited to invite you to our June Master Gardener Workshop

Growing Tomatoes in the Pacific Northwest

Saturday, June 27th, 2026
10 AM to 11:30 AM

Portland Memory Garden
10401 SE Bush St.
Portland, OR 97266
In Ed Benedict Park

Instructor: Lisa Martins

Learn how to make your tomato plants thrive! We’ll teach you the best practices for planting locations, soil conditions, pest management, fertilizing, pruning, watering, and more!

Free for all! Registration required.

Register Now!
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/growing-tomatoes-in-the-pacific-northwest-osu-master-gardenertm-workshop-tickets-1992026835890

Contact [email protected] to learn more.

Accommodation requests related to a disability should be made by 6/20/2026 to Kim Butchereit at [email protected], (503) 872-6649.
Oregon State University (OSU) Extension strives to ensure that all educational programs, services, activities, and materials we offer to the public are identified, developed, delivered, and evaluated in an inclusive, equitable and socially just manner. OSU Extension Service educational programs, services, activities, and materials are available to all people.

Address

10401 SE Bush Street
Portland, OR
97266

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 9pm
Tuesday 8am - 9pm
Wednesday 8am - 9pm
Thursday 8am - 9pm
Friday 8am - 9pm
Saturday 8am - 9pm
Sunday 8am - 9pm

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