Engineering for Kids: Survival on the Red Planet - starts Sept 4th

Fall Guide

Community Events

From a spirited summer concert series to holiday fun at our tree lighting ceremony, we have fun events for the whole family all year long. Stay tuned on our events page for the latest updates on upcoming events, including our new Paws in the Park event perfect for dog lovers and their furry friends!

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Field Trip Friday – Forest Park Hike & Pittock Mansion

September 12th, 8:30am – 3:00pm

Join us for a moderate 5-mile hike through the lush, green trails of Forest Park, leading up to Pittock Mansion. Take in the forest scenery along the way, then step back in time as you explore the mansion’s vintage charm and learn about Portland’s history.

Register Here

Field Trip Friday – Sauvie Island Guided Birding Trip

September 26th, 8:00am – 3:00pm

Explore Sauvie Island in early fall with a naturalist guide. The island is home to a variety of year-round and migratory birds such as Bald Eagles, Osprey, ducks and geese, and songbirds.

Register Here

Field Trip Friday – Hood River Valley Harvest Festival

October 10th, 11:30am – 5:00pm

Celebrate the bounty of fall with a day trip to the Hood River Valley Harvest Festival, one of Oregon’s most cherished seasonal events! Join us for a scenic journey through the Columbia River Gorge as we travel to Hood River for this lively waterfront festival packed with local flavor, artisan goods, live music, interactive activities, and festive fun.

Register Here

Field Trip Friday – Brew Lights at the Oregon Zoo

November 14th, 4:30pm – 9:00pm

Kick off the holiday season with this festive 21+ event offering a dazzling sneak peek of the ZooLights experience — minus the crowds and kids — and featuring samples from some of the best local craft breweries, cideries, and distilleries. Explore as the zoo is transformed into a glowing wonderland with thousands of twinkling lights and whimsical animal-themed displays!

Register Here

ACTIVENet Online Registration Portal

Register through ACTIVENet for programs with Happy Valley Parks and Recreation! ACTIVENet’s online and in-person registration portal will allow community members to conveniently access Happy Valley Parks and Recreation facility rentals, programs, activities, classes, and more from anywhere, anytime!

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First AID/CPR/AED Training

Monday, October 20th, 9:30am-2:30pm

American Red Cross Blood Drive

Monday, Nov 17th, 10:30am – 4pm

We’re teaming up with the Red Cross to host a blood drive at City Hall on July 9th. All blood types are urgently needed. Donate blood and help save lives. As a thank you, register to donate on July 9th and receive an exclusive pair of American Red Cross sunglasses while supplies last!

Babysitter Training

Monday, November 3rd, 9:30am-2:30pm

This in-person babysitter class gives you access to child care information, tips, and can answer all your questions so that you’re ready to start babysitting! With lecture and engaging class activates, these courses are informative and fun.

Nutrition 101

Building a Foundation for Healthy Living

September 23rd, 6pm-7pm

Join us for this free community class designed to help you take control of your health through informed food choices! Whether you’re looking to improve your diet or learn the basics of nutrition, this class is for you. *Registration encouraged but not required*

Healthier Baking for the Holidays

November 21st, 6:30pm-7:30pm

Learn how to lighten up your favorite holiday treats without sacrificing flavor in this fun, hands-on class. Enjoy a live baking demo, take home unique ingredients, and pick up seasonal tips for mindful indulgence. Perfect for all skill levels—bring your holiday spirit and sweet tooth!

Intro to the Myth of Tea

Sept 18th, 6:30pm – 8pm

Oct 16th, 6:30pm-8pm

Nov 20th, 6:30pm-8pm

Join Cup of Tea for an immersive tea class that uncovers how to deepen a personal and meaningful connection with tea. With an emphasis on mindfulness, we’ll explore the natural world of tea, as well as the art of brewing and tasting.

Rocks From Space: The Oldest Rocks on Earth

Sept 15th – Nov 3rd, Mondays 7pm – 8pm

Explore the fascinating history of meteorites and their role in understanding our planet’s origins in this 8-week astronomy course. This course covers prehistoric and ancient records of meteorites, groundbreaking scientific revolutions in their study, early theories about their origins, and insights into their chemistry, mineralogy, and dating methods that reveal the origin and history of our solar system.

Intro to Fly Fishing

This class is designed to introduce participants to the fundamentals of fly-fishing, providing them with a solid foundation to enjoy and excel in this rewarding sport. Unlike typical casting classes, our course covers a wide range of topics essential for beginners. The course will be split into two types of sessions: one that takes place in the classroom and one that is on-site. The classroom session will involve instruction, discussions, and activities to prepare you for the on-river session which will provide a hands-on experience where you can apply what you’ve learned in a practical setting.

$100 registration fee, includes 1 class session, waders, boots, reels & fly rods

In Class: Sept. 17, On River: Sept. 20

In Class: Oct. 15, On River: Oct. 18

Skyhawks Sports Classes

See registration pages for program locations

Skyhawks Sports has partnered with Happy Valley Parks and Rec to provide several sports programs to choose from.

For more information on Skyhawks summer sports programs:
Learn More

Soccer Shots

See registration pages for program locations

Soccer Shots has partnered with Happy Valley Parks and Rec to provide several soccer programs to choose from.

For more information on Soccer Shots summer kid’s soccer classes:
Learn More

Kidokinetics

See registration pages for program locations

Happy Valley Parks and Recreation is excited to partner with Kidokinetics to offer programs:

Fall Sportsplay Clinic

Halloween No School Fun Day

Veteran’s Day No School Ninjaplay!

The Y

The Y is committed to nurturing the potential of every child and teen. With their innovative camps and classes, the Y empowers young people to build the skills and confidence not only to reach their potential, but to enact positive change in their communities. We are thrilled to partner with The Y to offer the following programs this Fall:

Ink, Print, Share, Repeat!

Comics & Illustration

Journey to STEAM

Journey to STEAM is your go-to for innovative and customizable LEGO education programs for students grades K-8, weaving together science, technology, engineering, arts, and math (STEAM) using the power of LEGO. Perfect for enriching after-school experiences, community engagement, and fostering holistic learning in schools. Stay tuned for the programming we’ve partnered with Journey to STEAM to offer this Fall.

LEGO Game Makers

Oct 7th – Dec 9th, Tuesdays 4:15pm-5:15pm

*To learn more about Journey to STEAM:

Learn more

Engineering for Kids Camps

Discover the extraordinary world of STEM during Engineering For Kids’ Summer of Exploration! Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math fill the world around us. STEM connects to everything in our lives from planning a city to using computers to space travel. EFK Summer Camps provide kids with a hands-on immersive experience as they explore STEM concepts in the world around them.

Choose from the following classes this Fall:

Survival on the Red Planet 

Sept 4th – Oct 9th, Thursdays 3:30pm-5pm

Hardware Engineering: Get Wired with Makey Makey

Oct 16th – Nov 20th, Thursdays 3:30pm-5pm

The Clayhouse Potters

Pottery classes taught by husband and wife potters in charming home studio. Learn how to create whimsical hand-built sculptures and wheel-thrown stoneware pottery decorated with food safe commercial glazes.

Beginning Wheel Throwing

Hand Building Pottery

Two-fer Fridays

Sashiko Workshops

Monday, Oct 6th, 1pm-2pm

Monday, Nov 17th, 1pm-2pm

Learn the mindful and artistic practice of Sashiko — a traditional Japanese embroidery technique known for its decorative stitching and practical roots. In these one-hour beginner-intermediate workshops, students will be introduced to the history, purpose, and patterns of Sashiko while completing a small project to take home.

Home Scent Workshops

Saturday, Nov 8th, 6pm-8pm

Saturday, Dec 20th, 6pm-8pm

Design your own custom-scented candle, reed diffuser, and aromatic spray in this hands-on workshop. Learn the basics of scent blending, explore seasonal fragrance tips, and enjoy a cozy, creative atmosphere with optional tea and snacks available for purchase.

Sweet Lomy Glass Art

Learn the fundamentals of glass cutting and layering to make beautiful, whimsical glass art pieces! No experience needed in these fun fused glass workshops we have partnered with Sweet Lomy to offer this Fall:

Pet Portraits – Sept 29th, 5:30pm-8pm

Skeleton Windchimes – Oct 16th, 5:30pm-8pm

Fall Trees Panel – Oct 20th, 5:30pm-8pm

Holiday Ornaments – Nov 18th, 5:30pm-8pm

Venvino Art Studios

Venvino Art Studios has partnered with us to offer the following programs this Fall:

Learn to Draw: Anime

Oct 2nd- Oct 23rd, Thursday 5:30pm-6:30pm

Learn to Paint: Multnomah Falls in Autumn

Oct 2nd- Oct 23rd, Thursday 6pm-7:30pm

Learn to Paint: Ocean Serenity

Oct 3rd – Oct 24th, Friday 6pm-7:30pm

Learn to Sculpt with Clay: Kitchen Essentials

Nov 6th – Nov 20th, Thursdays 6pm-7:30pm

Tippi Toes Dance Classes

See registration for program locations.

Explore our dance class options for girls and boys age 18 months – 11 years. Students are encouraged and celebrated while being taught the fundamentals of dance! Choose from the following Fall programs below:

Baby Ballet – Ages 2-4yrs

Ballet, Tap and Jazz – Ages 3-5yrs

Toddler and Me – Ages 18 months – 3yrs

Chair Yoga

A gentle introduction to yoga to improve balance, flexibility, and strength without the use of a mat. Chair Yoga works the whole body with a mixture of stretching, yoga, and calisthenics. This in-person 8-week series is ideal for those that have mobility issues or have never tried yoga before. The class begins and ends with meditation to integrate all that the body has learned. Join us in person and feel the benefits of movement, breath, and relaxation.

Chair Yoga Series

August 21st – October 16th, Thursdays 10:30am-11:30am

Providence Basecamp Prevention & Wellness Classes

From Tai Chi to Yoga, these FREE virtual classes are powered by Basecamp Prevention + Wellness, part of Providence Heart Institute.

Tai Chi: Moving for Better Balance (Beginners) *Virtual Class

Tai Chi: Moving for Better Balance *Virtual Class

Chair Yoga *Virtual Class

Gentle Yoga *Virtual Class

Scholarships Available – Happy Valley Parks & Recreation Foundation

Are you in need of financial assistance? Scholarship opportunities are available through the Happy Valley Parks & Recreation Foundation for any Happy Valley Parks and Recreation programs. The Happy Valley Parks & Recreation Foundation (HVPRF) is an independent 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.

Apply today

*Scholarships are also available for programs run through Happy Valley Parks and Recreation’s partner providers.

Buy a Brick Program
Purchase a commemorative brick in support of Happy Valley’s local parks and leave a lasting mark that will be cherished by the community for years to come. Your personalized brick will help support ongoing operations and maintenance at our beloved city parks.