Did you know that Swan Island has a public beach? A greenway? A bocce ball court? A boat launch? A train tunnel entrance? An active naval base? That it used to be an actual island? That it used to be Portland’s airport? That it was used to house people who were displaced by the Vanport flood in 1948?

Swan Island also happens to be covered in picnic tables. I’ve found more than two dozen. Some of them are very fancy and probably not intended for public use. Many of them are tucked in the corner of a parking lot or next to a dumpster. A couple of them are on city property. I’ll show you my favorite ones as well as other stuff I’ve found by wandering around.

If you bring snacks to share, then we can have a picnic.

Swan Island is served by Trimet bus line 72 every 15-20 minutes, even on the weekends, with a stop across the street from our meeting point. Swan Island is also accessible by bike or foot (via N Going St). Parking is available at our meeting point.