Tag: Dogs Rule

A new yard for Duck.. Or, its my apple and you can’t have it!

Posted on by Martin Cross

Like most couples, when I first started talking with Josh and Alyssa, they had the usual list of desires for their new home. Some of which were “needs” and some just “desires”. At least two bedrooms, two baths. 1700 ft.² or more. Hardwood floors, some kind of cool attic or bonus room, a porch or a deck and of course a fenced yard for Duck and Oliver.

After a couple of long days touring, a serendipitous price reduction that combined with some shrewd negotiating by yours truly, we had locked up a great house that combined all of their wants, including, a HUGE fenced back yard.

But, what became most evident after move-in day was that really, this was all about a fenced yard for Duck.

 

Peninsula Park Rose Garden Review

Posted on by Living Room Realty

While it does not have a dedicated dog area and violates the whole purpose of this series, Peninsula Park and Rose Garden is too amazing not to feature. The park is available to your canine companions however they should remain on a leash for as long as you are touring the 16.2-acre park in the heart of Piedmont neighborhood. Created in 1909, Peninsula Park attracts locals and tourists alike with its massive, french-styled Rose Garden. When in full bloom, the colors and majesty of the 5,700+ roses are one of the most beautiful sights in the city.

There are paths and trees to provide shaded spots where people and their pooches can be found lounging around, enjoying the natural beauty. The Rose Garden was designed by Emanuel L. Mische and showcases 75 different rose varieties including the official rose of Portland, Madame Caroline Testout. The rest of the park has a few athletic fields and tennis courts and, at the North edge, there is an informational community center where you can learn about the park’s history. Weekends often feature events and live music. For example, when we visited they had the Regional Tree Climbing Championship- which, as you can imagine, was awesome.

Features

  • One of the most amazing Rose Gardens on Earth!
  • Community & Informational Center
  • Two Tennis Courts
  • Two Softball Fields
  • Local events and live music

Address

700 N Rosa Parks Way Portland, OR 97217

 

It’s Funny How Life Changes…

Posted on by Living Room Realty

Over the course of a couple years Tiffany would casually reach out  with questions about a property here, a house there.  Perhaps only two or three properties in total. She had dreams of one day, someday, buying a house.  She wasn’t serious about moving from her cozy St. John’s condo in which she’d lived for over a decade. Her three closest friends lived in North Portland, and aside from a daily commute to West Linn, all was well in her housing world.

 

That changed quickly however, when, in the span of a few month,  those three friends moved away to Idaho, Vancouver and SE Portland. Although the first two locations were not viable options for Tiffany, SE Portland held great appeal, not only due to the proximity to her friend, but also on account of the drastically reduced commute time that it would guarantee. She had also, a year prior, adopted a sweet and energetic pup who longed to have a yard in which to frolic. Suddenly, Tiffany kicked her search into high gear and set out to find her own little plot in SE Portland.

 

Within a matter of weeks she identified a perfect little country house on which she placed an offer.  She won despite two other competing bids. Sadly, during inspections it was found that various pests had been gnawing on the post, floor joists, and general foundation components, compromising it’s structure. Luckily, these issues were identified in inspections and she was able to decide against taking on these issues and this house.

 

Tiffany moved on to discover an even better fit – a tidy bungalow in the Woodstock neighborhood in very close proximity to New Seasons and popular restaurants.  Although I was traveling when she found this gem, my fantastic business partner, Sean O’Feery,  was able to get her purchase underway! By the time I returned less than a week later, we were sailing quickly into inspections which turned out to be far less “buggy” than those that came before. We were able to immediately get to work preparing her cute condo to sell!  Congratulations Tiffany on your new home and the sale of your condo!

 

Woodstock Dog Park Review

Posted on by Living Room Realty

Located in the heart of Woodstock neighborhood lies one of Portland’s oldest parks. First established by the city in 1921, Woodstock Park is a simple and straightforward green space that borders the local elementary school. There are a few athletic fields and a playground for young humans and an off-leash area for your young pups.

Surrounded by massive deciduous and coniferous trees, this dog park truly shines in the fall when the multitude of colors can be seen. There are no dividers or natural barriers between dog and human areas and, therefore, this park is best for dogs with good recall and watchful owners. Unfortunately, the dog area has lost virtually all signs of grass and when it rains is mainly a place for pups to roll around in the mud. Woodstock Park has served the neighborhood well for nearly 100 years and will continue to do so into the future as a temporary oasis from our city life.

Features

  • Off-leash area
  • Water fountain
  • Tennis Courts
  • Two Softball Fields

Address

SE 47th Ave & Steele St, Portland, OR 97206

Mt. Tabor Dog Park Review

Posted on by Living Room Realty

Mt. Tabor is one of the best-known parks in all of Portland. Hundreds of people visit each day for hiking along the numerous trails of this extinct volcano. Views from the top are legendary because of the 360-degree panorama that makes it possible to see downtown, Mt. Rainer to the North, and Mt. Hood to the East. While the main park allows on-leash dogs, at the most southern end of the park, below Lincoln/Harrison Roads, there is an off-leash dog area that can be accessed from the streets that go through Warner Pacific University.

 

The dog park, like the rest of Tabor, is filled with massive trees that provide plenty of shade even on Portland’s sunniest days. The off-leash area makes for a great launching point to explore the rest of Mt. Tabor Park, but be prepared for a climb! The dog area marks the beginning of the mountain, meaning that your pup will get plenty tired as they sprint up and down the steep incline. While most dogs will love the terrain (and owners will love how tired it makes them), you may want to think twice before bringing older dogs or young puppies. Running full speed down a mountain can put a lot of strain on a dog’s joints and a few wipeouts are entirely possible.

 

All of Mt. Tabor is gorgeous and worthy of exploration, but for those with furry friends, the southern section should be the first stop.

Features

  • Off-leash area leading up a large hill
  • Water fountain
  • Two-stage entry directly to the street
  • Seating
  • Various hiking paths to explore Mt. Tabor

Address

6336 SE Lincoln St, Portland, OR 97215

 

Happy Valley Nature Park Review

Posted on by Living Room Realty

Leslie Knope dreams of this park when she sleeps at night. The whole city should be proud of the thought and attention to detail that went into the design and creation of this park because it includes everything one could imagine. The park is rarely empty and is used by people of all ages and walks of life.  Parking is plentiful with a winding center road that leads to two different lots. However, the right-hand turn into the park is sharp and comes at the end of the hill. Go slow.

 

The three fenced dog areas are located across a bridge and behind a large swath of trees creating both a visual and auditory divide from the dog and human sections of the park. Each of the dog areas has a separate, two-stage entrance which is perfect for allowing a smooth transition for pets and owners into the wild west of dog park world. The different areas are sectioned off for different sized dogs but it is highly dependent on popularity. During early mornings, groups rarely split up but in the afternoons or weekend, there is a clear size differential that should be paid attention. These divides also allow a wonderful way to integrate nervous dogs or young puppies by releasing them into an empty area next to one filled with dogs. Your young pup can smell and meet freely through the fence without the chance of being overwhelmed. Then when dogs get their first burst of nervous energy out you can integrate at whatever speed you feel is best.  

 

While the dog and human areas are both incredible, the real secret is the natural wildlife area. Venture off down one of the lifted walking paths with your dog on-leash and be completely surrounded by stunning sights and hidden secrets. Please stay on the path in this area, while the ground can look inviting during the summer months it is really quite bog-like. The soil is incredibly soft and muddy and even quick trips off path do lots of damage to the environment. It is easy to walk through the trees and find yourself at numerous rest spots that have benches and often look out on small ponds.

 

If you live in Happy Valley or nearby, this is truly a remarkable park that should not be missed.

Features

  • Athletic Areas: Volleyball sand, two tennis courts, a basketball court, three baseball fields, two full soccer fields, and a skate park
  • Three fenced dog areas
  • Two playgrounds
  • Splash area for young children
  • Picnic Tables
  • Resting and exercise areas throughout the park
  • Concerts in the summer

Address

13770 SE Ridgecrest Rd, Happy Valley, OR 97086

 

  

Sellwood Riverfront Dog Park Review

Posted on by Living Room Realty

Are you looking for a beautiful place for your furry friend to run free while you enjoy views of the river? The Sellwood Riverfront Dog Park has you covered. This open grass field surrounded by oak and pine trees is one of the most picturesque parks in the city. While lacking certain dog amenities like a dedicated water spout and smell-proof waste bins, the natural beauty of this Sellwood wonder is the park’s main attraction. After the pooch and you get some energy out, leash up and head for a stroll North along the riverfront on a winding path through the woods. Water-loving canines can find small beaches to splash around in and people often can be found sitting in the sand reading a book.

 

After a long enough walk, you’ll come to the parking lot of Oaks Amusement Park which is partially closed until mid-June, after which it becomes a popular attraction for families throughout the summer. Across the street to the East, there is the larger Sellwood Park and Wildlife Rehabilitation Site. The park has multiple amenities not found at the Riverfront and is more geared to humans playing rather than our pets and is an exclusively on-leash area. For fun times with the pups, Sellwood Riverfront Park should be at the top of your list.  

Features

  • Open field of turf grass for off-leash dogs
  • Boat Dock
  • Seating and Picnic tables along the Willamette River
  • Walking path through woods that leads to Oaks Amusement Park
  • Nearby Sellwood Park has Pool, Athletic Fields, and other human-focused amenities

Address

1221 SE Oaks Park Way, Portland, OR 97202

                       

Filly Gets Her Own Yard!

Posted on by Living Room Realty

She came all the way from Australia, it was Summer there.  Her people had a nice apartment in the big big city of Sydney and she was happy.  Her people wanted to be closer to their families in some place called the United States.  She loves her people and even though she had to leave summer for a wet winter half way around the world she decided for them, she would do it.

The second she landed in Portland and could smell all the new smells and could sense how happy her people were she knew she had made the right decision!  Her people bought a car – this was definitely a plus, they didn’t need one in Sydney but hanging her head out the window and driving by PARKS – so many Parks she knew life was going to be even better than she had hoped.

Her people looked at a lot of houses, so many houses but Filly was particular. She didn’t want just any yard it had to be perfect.  Turns out her people are pretty smart, and they found a great house with all the things that were important to them as well as the yard of young Filly’s dreams.  It’s big, it has a front and a back and it is one block from her favorite place Irving Park!

Welcome Home Girl!