Look to your right for a cozy little square framed by brick planters, benches under sprawling trees, and a green and yellow sign that still hints at its old name-right where the sidewalk meets the tucked-away park entrance.
Alright, superstar, you’ve just strutted up to Darcelle XV Plaza-though you might spot signs still calling it O’Bryant Square. This humble patch of bricks and scattered trees at the corner of Southwest Park Avenue and Harvey Milk Street is packed tighter with stories than a sequin dress before showtime. Picture it: the year is 1971, and what used to be just a parking lot and a small building suddenly becomes a gift to Portland from Mr. and Mrs. William E. Roberts. The city’s dream? Not another sea of cars, but a little oasis in downtown’s concrete heart.
Development of the park was a blockbuster, clocking in at $1.25 million with federal aid-think of it as Portland’s version of “Extreme Makeover: Plaza Edition.” And the star? A shimmering bronze fountain, lovingly called the Fountain to a Rose, surrounded by 250 rose bushes. Its message, “May you find peace in this garden,” was whispered by petals and water drops alike. This was more than décor-it was a nod to Donald Card Sloan, a Royal Rosarians prime minister whose generosity brought the fountain to life. In 1973, the square and fountain officially blossomed as O’Bryant Square, named after Portland’s very first mayor. Imagine business people and city planners mingling here, the area buzzing like bees in rose bushes, and in 1976, the place even bagged a national design award for its charm. Quite the glow-up!
But hold your applause! As years marched on, this “relic of 1970s urban design” turned into a bit of a downtown wild card. Locals began calling it “Paranoid Park,” “Needle Park,” and, most suspenseful of all, “Crack Park.” The city grew a little nervous: the square struggled with safety issues and attracted a rough crowd. Laurie Olin, a go-to park designer, once called it a “real ugly duckling.” By 2018, long-term structural problems with the underground garage forced the park to close. Picture the sound as city officials chain the gates and lock them shut-an era ending.
Fast-forward to 2023, when everything changed in a swirl of wigs and rhinestones. The old fountain was removed, and the park was renamed to honor Darcelle XV-the legendary drag queen who wowed Portland and won a Guinness World Record as the oldest performing drag queen in 2016. Portland decided it was time to celebrate community, color, and genuine fabulousness right here where you’re standing. The new Darcelle XV Plaza-opening soon-will feature a live stage, dog park, a big shade sail, public art, and Portland’s very first wall of LGBTQ fame. There’ll even be a spot to honor Darcelle’s wit and sparkle.
Local businessowner Steve Lien calls it “a place for everyone,” hoping it will shine as brightly as Darcelle herself, while Randy Gragg from the Parks Foundation wants the park to match Darcelle’s humor and zest for life. There’s a tiny bit of scandal too: some folks grumble that plans don’t allow food carts, out of fear they’d compete with the fancy eats at the nearby Ritz Carlton. And guess what? This will be Portland’s first city park with a fence-not everyone’s thrilled, but hey, every star needs a little mystery!
So the next time you pass by, imagine roses blooming, wigs swirling, and crowds cheering. Darcelle XV Plaza isn’t just a park-it’s a promise of joy, transformation, and sparkle in the heart of downtown Portland.
