Portland State University opened downtown Portland’s first off-leash dog park on May 20, turning a vacant lot into a new community space. The opening event, called Party with the Pups, revealed the park’s name as Valhowlla, chosen by the community.
The new dog park aims to address a lack of gated, off-leash areas in downtown Portland and create a gathering place for both campus members and local residents. The project was highlighted during the Placemakers Exchange, an event that brought together students and community leaders to discuss how campus spaces can foster connection and belonging through safer and more vibrant environments.
Located at SW 11th Avenue and SW Market Street, the park features separate sections for large and small dogs, double-gate entry systems, landscaped buffers, and durable materials designed for heavy use. The space is intended to serve as what university leaders call a “front porch” for PSU—a spot where people from both the university and surrounding neighborhoods can connect daily while their dogs play.
“Placemaking at Portland State is all about connecting with our downtown neighbors and making our campus a place where people want to spend time,” said PSU President Ann Cudd. “PSU and Portland rise together and it’s an explicit goal of our strategic plan to help drive Portland’s economic, social and cultural resurgence. As a dog owner myself, I appreciate the role that a dog park can play in making our city more vibrant.”
The need for such a facility was identified in PSU’s 2019 Open Space Plan after noticing an increase in off-leash dogs around campus. Recent construction projects along Market Street provided opportunities for new open spaces. In collaboration with the City of Portland, PSU developed this park as downtown’s only dedicated area for off-leash dogs.
University officials say that Valhowlla demonstrates responsive development by transforming underused land into resources that benefit everyone.
