The Shack
at Sellwood Park
Thank You for a Wonderful First Summer at The Shack!
Now Open Limited Fall Hours for Evening Performances
Please check our calendar for performance dates & details!
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!
Piano.Push.Play: A Thursday Evening Piano Series
Thursday nights, 6:00-8:00 pm | Free, in partnership with Piano.Push.Play | The Shack at Sellwood Park
Join us for a series of piano performances by talented musicians, in partnership with Piano.Push.Play. This Thursday night series will extend through September - check back for more artists and dates soon!
August 7: Jackson Grace
August 21: Myles Debski, presenting a Disney Sing-along!
August 28: Megan Diana
September 4: Story & Tune
September 18: Chari Smith & Naama Friedman
Friday Music & Picnics at The Shack
Friday nights, 6:00-8:00pm | Free, picnic dinner pre-order available here | The Shack at Sellwood Park
Bring your own picnic, or preorder a delicious picnic dinner here, and enjoy this wonderful line-up of local musicians!
June 20: Derek Montclair
June 27: Carson Poncé
July 11: Cody Weathers
July 18: Chauncy Canfield
July 25: North Sister Band & Teen Open Mic
August 1: The Rose Pedals
August 8: Guy Paul
August 15: Ned and Wendy the Band
August 22: Gina DeNoble
September 5: Derek Montclair
September 12: The County Fools
September 19: Flyover States Band
September 26: Megan Cronin Tucker
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
Sellwood Community House is also moving our regular, paid programming outdoors for the summer…
Details about these programs can be found on our Programs Pages!
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!
Support the Shack with a Custom Brick!
Purchase a personalized brick & become a part of the Shack magic at Sellwood Park!
These bricks will pave the surround at The Shack starting in the Summer of 2026.
Click Here to Purchase Your Custom Brick
Thank you for supporting The Shack at Sellwood Park!
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
Visit The Shack on Instagram! Sneak peeks, past gatherings, future dreams and more!
Need financial support for our Adult & Senior programs?
Apply for our scholarship program!