The Shack
at Sellwood Park
Events & Weekly Programming
End of Season Celebration
History, Rentals & How to Support
The Shack at Sellwood Park
Annual Poster
These posters feature original artwork created by local artists and are inspired by this neighborhood landmark and the people who gather there.
Your purchase supports Sellwood Community House programs that keep our doors open to all—classes, camps, and community events right here in Sellwood. Thank you for helping us keep this a welcoming place to learn, play, gather and connect.
This lovely artwork was generously donated by the following local artists:
2025 Poster: Leah Samour
2025 Poster: Anisa Asakawa
End of Season Celebration!
Saturday, August 22, 10am-6pm
Join us to celebrate another summer of community-funded fun at The Shack at Sellwood Park! We’ll have giant bubbles, crafts, sto
Highlights include:
10:00: Performance by SMURK, the Sellwood Moreland Ukulele Revival Klub
10:30: Storytime with Miss Hattie
11:00: Drum Circle with Ethos
12:00: BeMoved dance class with BodyVox
1:00: BINGO
An afternoon of music, crafts, clay play with Heirloom Ceramic Studio, and more!
Piano.Push.Play: A Thursday Evening Piano Series
Thursday nights, 6:30-8:00 pm | Free, in partnership with Piano.Push.Play | The Shack at Sellwood Park
Join us for another season of piano performances by talented musicians, in partnership with Piano.Push.Play.
Our artists for the 2026 series are:
July 16: Megan Diana
July 23: Darka Dusty
July 30: Jackson Grace
August 6: Asher FuleroPerformance Rescheduled to August 27 due to poor air quality!
August 13: Jason Buchanan
August 20: Vince Kelly
August 27: Asher Fulero
Summer Sellwood Sessions
Friday Music & Picnics at The Shack
Friday nights, 6:30-8:00pm | Free | The Shack at Sellwood Park
Bring your own picnic, set out a blanket, and enjoy this wonderful line-up of local musicians! On summer evenings beneath the shade of 100-year-old fir trees, local musicians fill the park with gentle sound while little kids dance in the grass and neighbors gather on blankets and lawn chairs. You can overhear conversations about dogs, home gardens, and favorite neighborhood businesses—simple moments that weave the fabric of community tighter.
These concerts, launched in 2025, bring vibrance to summer nights, transforming the park into a living reflection of the joy and connection at the heart of the Sellwood Community House’s mission.
Artist Line-Up:
July 10: Katy & the Null Sets
July 17: The Rose Pedals
July 24: Essie and the Hum
July 31: Flyover States
August 7: Isaiah Mostafa
August 14: The County Fools
August 21: Reb & the Good News
August 28: Patina
September 4: Derek Montclair & the Wood Nickels opening for Kid Leisure
September 11: The Apricots
If you or anyone you know might like to play, please click here to fill out the interest form.
BodyVox at The Shack
four days a week | Free, in partnership with BodyVox | The Shack at Sellwood Park
Join us for another wonderful summer of dancing in the shade of the tall trees. BodyVox has lined up four classes that offer something for everyone. We look forward to dancing with you!
Class Schedule:
Mondays, 6-7pm: BeMoved with Daniel Kirk/Stephanie Miller
Tuesdays, 11-11:45am: Creative Movement for Kids with Hayate Alexander (no class July 28)
Thursdays, 10-11am: Stretch Class with Emily Cole
Thursdays, 5-6pm: Open Contemporary with Alana Stubbs
Littles Classes at The Shack
Look for your favorite littles classes at The Shack this summer! These classes are $10, with advance registration required.
Click on the classes below for more information, age ranges, and to register!
Class Schedule:
Mondays: Ready, Set, Go!
Tuesdays: Music and Movement (No class June 30)
Wednesdays: Tiny Tumblers (No class June 24)
Wednesdays: Mighty Tumblers (No class June 24)
Friday: Ladybug Explorers (No class June 19 or July 3)
Tumbling at The Shack
Join us for three different levels of tumbling at The Shack this summer! These are stand-alone classes; sign up for as few or as many as you like. $10 per class, with advance registration required.
Click on the classes below for more information, age ranges, and to register!
Class Schedule:
Wednesdays: Tiny Tumblers (No class June 24)
Wednesdays: Mighty Tumblers (no class June 24)
Wednesdays: Tumbling Drop-In (FREE)
Taekwondo Basics for Kids
Saturday, August 15 | 1:00-1:30pm | $12, register here | The Shack at Sellwood Park
Come and join us for a 30 minute introductory Taekwondo class located at Sellwood Park. We will learn some basic lessons as well as different punches and kicks most commonly used in Taekwondo.
Best suited for ages 6-10
Guardian participation in class is not required, but we ask that you stay onsite at the park - thank you!
Circus Essentials at The Shack
Sunday, August 16 | 12:00-12:30pm | $12, register here | The Shack at Sellwood Park
Join us to learn some Circus Essentials at Sellwood park!
Circus Essentials introduces some of the most fun and foundational skills used in circus. You will cover a little bit of everything from juggling to tumbling - come learn how to safely make a human pyramid or do your first cartwheel!
Best suited for ages 6-10
Guardian participation in class is not required, but we ask that you stay onsite at the park - thank you!
Ethos Summer Drum Circle
Mondays, 11:00-12:00 | Free, in partnership with Ethos Music Center | The Shack at Sellwood Park
Join Ethos Music Center for a joyful drum circle experience!
This all-ages, all-abilities session invites families, musicians, and curious newcomers to discover the joy of hand percussion in the warmth of the summer sun. Whether you want to learn fundamental drumming techniques, pick up an instrument and jump right in, or simply dance along to the beat, our welcoming circle has a place for you.
It's playful, it's lively, and it just might be the most fun you've ever had making noise outdoors!
Puppet Show with Cedarwood
Thursday, august 13, 11:30-12:30 | Free, in partnership with Cedarwood Waldorf Schol | The Shack at Sellwood Park
Join Cedarwood Waldorf School for this traditional Waldorf puppetry performance, reenacting a timeless tale from Ecuador, "The Magic Lake at the End of the World."
Bike Bus to The Shack & Camp!
Join us for the 2026 Summer Bike Bus to Sellwood Community House and The Shack at Sellwood Park. Every Monday morning, we’ll roll together through the neighborhood on bike-friendly streets, with music, an adult ride leader, and a caboose rider making sure no one gets left behind.
The ride begins at 8:30 a.m. in front of Llewellyn Elementary School and wraps up at Sellwood Park, where a full day of fun awaits at The Shack.
Here’s where you can hop on along the route:
• 8:30 a.m. | Llewellyn Elementary (SE 14th Ave)
• 8:35 a.m. | SE 19th & SE Claybourne St
• 8:40 a.m. | SE 19th & SE Spokane St
• 8:45 a.m. | Sellwood Middle School (SE Umatilla St & SE 15th Ave)
• 8:50 a.m. | Sellwood Community House
• 8:55 a.m. | Sellwood Park
A few things to know:
Helmets are required for riders under 16.
Kids riding independently should be at least 8 years old and comfortable riding a couple of miles.
Younger riders are welcome with parent or caregiver support.
Parents are encouraged to ride along.
Please make sure bikes are in good working order.
We’ll ride at an easy pace, and no one will be dropped.
The Bike Bus is one-way to Sellwood Park. Riders make their own way home.
Bike Repair Workshop
Thursday, August 20 | 2:00-4:00 Pm | free, in partnership with bikes for humanity pdx | the shack at sellwood park
Join Bikes for Humanity PDX for a drop-in bike repair and maintenance workshop! Learn to care for your bike, diagnose any issues starting to develop, and repair what might be ailing it. Good for all ages--come to learn, share your knowledge, or just to get a little TLC for your bike!
Tai Chi
Thursdays | 1:00-2:00 Pm | $18 or $80 for a 5-class punch card/ DROP-IN | the shack at sellwood park
Summer Classes will take place at The Shack at Sellwood Park
Tai Chi for Health is an introductory class for both beginners and anyone returning to Tai Chi after taking a break. This class practices the Yang style, short form, which consists of 24 forms. Tai Chi helps us all with balance and slow breathing, feeling calm and strong in our bodies. Come join us and find out how joyful movement can be!
Subscribe to Our Shack Newsletter
Get a weekly update on all of the events & classes happening at The Shack at Sellwood Park!
At SCH, we are dedicated to keeping you up to date with our offerings. We respect your privacy and will never share or sell your contact information.
Thank You to our Shack Sponsors
Sellwood Community House would like thank these sponsors for supporting a summer of community-funded fun at The Shack at Sellwood Park! Together, we are building a Neighborhood of Possibility where every family has access to joyful and enriching experiences, all summer long.
2025 First Summer Highlights
Looking Back to Summer 2025…
What a Wonderful Summer it Was!
Curious what we were are up to all summer?
Here are some details from The Shack, from June 20-August 22nd!
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54
Number of Zip Codes from the Portland area: 28!
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15
Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Florida, Maryland, Montana, New York, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia & Washington!
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227
Dance Classes with Body Vox, Story Times, Author Readings, Crafts, Sports & more!
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2,087
Visitors borrowed a wide variety of recreational materials, from sports equipment to art supplies, and more!
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3,112
Art Kits, Soccer Balls, Board Games, and More!
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Infinite!
Videos from Our First Summer
Please enjoy these videos, showcasing some of the many magical moments from our first summer of The Shack at Sellwood Park!
Counselors-in-Training at The Shack
BodyVox at The Shack
Junior Staff at The Shack
Visit The Shack on Instagram and Facebook!
Sneak peeks, past gatherings, future dreams and more!
Imagine drop-in fun, 5 days a week, all summer long!
Then…
1972 Sellwood Park Summer Program
And now…
2025 Sample Sellwood Park Summer Program
What was the inspiration for
The Shack?
The Story of The Shack
Past, Present & Future
We hope you enjoy this short film about The Shack, directed, filmed, and edited by Randy Sean Schulman.
Fun Facts & Historical Dates-of-note:
The Shack at Sellwood Park opened to the public in 1923
Sellwood Park used to be the site of the City View Race Track, a premier horse racing facility, with the complex hosting a large track in addition to a cricket and baseball diamond
During WW2, Summer Park Programs were a way to keep kids busy & engaged when women joined the workforce to support the war effort
In the 1970s, lanyards made from gimp were king! Talk to anyone who grew up in Portland at that time, and they are sure to have memories of crafting these colorful creations in the parks
In the 1970s, 60 Portland Parks were staffed full time with free programming from 9am to 9pm all summer long
Have a fun fact about Sellwood Park that you would like to share? Email us here!
Donate to
Bring Back the Shack!
Support a Summer of Free Fun & Community Building at Sellwood Park this Summer!
Once upon a time, Portland kids spent their summers in their neighborhood parks, making lanyards, playing sports, learning dance, creating plays, playing music, doing crafts and living the carefree, unstructured days to the fullest.
This summer, Sellwood Community House is bringing the magic back! Your donation will help:
Equip the Shack with recreation equipment and art supplies
Hire passionate staff
Launch inclusive, no-cost programs for all ages in Sellwood Park
Keep our doors open to everyone—no matter their financial situation
Need financial support for our Adult & Senior programs?
Apply for our scholarship program!