The Shack
at Sellwood Park
The Shack at Sellwood Park Hours:
Monday-Friday, 10:00am - 7:00pm:
Concessions, Equipment Check-out & Drop-in Programming
Saturday, 10:00am - 7:00pm:
Concessions & Equipment Check-out
Monthly Calendar of Activities
Open Monday-Saturday, 10am-7pm
Concession sales, free equipment check-out & drop-in programming
Please Note: We are offering both free and paid programming at the park this summer!
The Shack Programming: free, drop-in fun!
Sellwood Community House Programming at The Park: SCH year-round favorites move to the park for the summer! Payment required, registration recommended. Look for the * to indicate SCH programs!
BodyVox + SCH
We are thrilled to partner with BodyVox Dance Company to bring the following classes to The Shack at Sellwood Park, all summer long!
Mondays, 6:00pm: BeMoved (cardio)
With 19 unique dance genres, BeMoved inspires participants to embrace dance as a lifelong path to health, joy and fulfillment. The BeMoved Warm-Up infuses breath and movement through choreographed, artistic sequences that activate core strength and balance while improving flexibility and coordination.
Wednesdays, 10:30am: Open Stretch
Work through a developed stretching routine to both preserve the muscles, improve flexibility, and heal the body with stretch and mindfulness. A fantastic start to the day! A yoga/pilates mat is suggested but not required.
Thursdays, 12:00pm: Open Level Contemporary
Learn elements of jazz, ballet, and modern while exploring the joy of movement. We will use improv and individual creativity to learn about contemporary dance.
Fridays, 4:30pm: Creative Movement for Kids
Your dancer will work on movin' and groovin' using their own imagination as a tool. We will explore the connections between rhythm, music and creativity all while dancing and having fun.
Portland Free Play + SCH
Join Portland Free Play at The Shack at Sellwood Park for pop-up play days! Inclusive, self-directed free play for children with natural and loose parts will be provided. The parts have no pre-determined use and are adaptable to whatever and however children wish to play.
Portland Free Play will pop-up at The Shack on various Fridays throughout the summer - check back for updates!
Multnomah County Library + SCH
This summer, Multnomah County Library is partnering with Sellwood Community House to bring Storytime to the park! Join us for a free community storytime and take advantage of a convenient pickup location for summer reading prizes—especially helpful while the library is closed for the season.
Dates: June 18, July 16 & August 20
Storytime will run 10:00-11:00am.
Stay after storytime to pick up summer reading prizes until 1:00pm
Raising Special Ones + SCH
Esmé is a Sellwood mother of two, including a daughter with a very rare genetic disorder. She is also the founder of Raising Special Ones, an online community for families raising special needs children holistically. With nearly a decade of experience facilitating support circles and working with families as a birthworker and lactation counselor, Esmé is committed to creating spaces for families to find deeper connection with themselves and one another, so their children can thrive.
Date: Monday, June 30, 1:00-2:00pm
Events at The Shack
Local Authors at The Shack
various weekdays | 11:30am-12:30pm | The Shack at Sellwood Park
Join us for free storytimes with local Portland authors! Geared towards children 0-10. At some events, Wallace Books will provide copies of the books for sale
Audrey Sauble: June 24th
Dawn Prochovnic: July 1st
Leslie Booth: July 10th
Zoey Abbott: July 16th
Stephanie Shaw: July 21st
Michelle Sumovich: July 24th
Megan Woodward: July 28th
Sara Behrman: August 4th
Rose Collins: August 11th
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: Two Gins In
August 22: Gina DeNoble
Bike Bus to Sellwood Park!
Join the SMILE Bike Bus to The Shack at Sellwood Park!
Every Friday the Bike Bus will leave from the front of Llewelyn Elementary School, ride a loop on bike-friendly roads and greenways, and end at Sellwood Park!
The ride will be family-friendly, with music, and an adult ride leader and caboose rider. Helmets are required for anyone under 16 years old. Kids riding on their own bike should be at least 8 years old and able to ride for a couple miles. Younger kids may join with parental support. Parents are encouraged and welcome to attend! All bikes should be in good condition. The pace will be fairly slow, and nobody will be dropped.
The Bike Bus will only go to Sellwood Park; riders will return on their own.*
Note: the Bike Bus is organized by the SMILE Neighborhood Association Transportation Committee. Ride leaders are SMILE volunteers, not Sellwood Community House staff.
Thank you to SMILE for bringing this wonderful opportunity to our community!
Bike Bus Schedule:
9:50 am: Meet in front of Llewelyn Elementary School on SE 14th Avenue
10:00 am: SE 19th & SE Claybourne
10:05 am: SE 19th & SE Spokane Street
10:10 am: At Sellwood Middle School, SE Umatilla & SE 15th
10:20 am: Arrive at Sellwood Park on SE 7th
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!
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!