Join us for a festive grand opening of the second season of The Shack at Sellwood Park! We will have music, crafts, and more, and we will be celebrating together with the third annual Everything Under the Sun Parade!

Mayor Wilson and District 4 City Councilors Olivia Clark and Eric Zimmerman will help kick things off! The Mayor and Councilors will join us from 10am-11am. Be sure to share with them what you love most about The Shack!

Highlights will include:

10:00: Opening Ceremonies
10:15: Ants Ants Ants, sponsored by Britt Bragg Real Estate
11:00: Storytime with Silpa Kona, author of children’s book A Monster on My Trail
Trolley rides around the neighborhood, and to the Everything Under the Sun Parade starting at 1:00 pm
4:00: BeMoved with BodyVox, free dance class!

Last Day of School

Shack Sneak Peek!

Friday, June 5 | 11:00 am - 4:00 pm | Free | the shack at sellwood park

Join us for a fun shack sneak peek before opening day on June 13!

5th & 8th Grade Grads: Bring your diploma for free ice cream, and celebrate the start of summer!

Treats for sale & free rental equipment for all. We hope to see you there!

The Shack at Sellwood Park

Annual Poster

Bring a piece of The Shack at Sellwood Park home. This poster features original artwork created by local artist Leah Samour, and is 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 poster is the first in an annual series…check back for the 2026 poster soon!

Click Here to Purchase a Poster

Programming Partners

Sellwood Community House is thrilled to partner with these wonderful Portland favorites to bring engaging and dynamic programming for all to Sellwood Park this summer!

Summer Sing:

A Community Celebration of The Solstice

Friday, June 26 | 6:30-8:00pm | Free | The Shack at Sellwood Park

Come join us on June 26 to sing songs of the season, or teach us your favorite ditty!

Enjoy performances by Portland Revels youth musicians and from Renegade Rose Morris dancers.

All are welcome at this family-friendly event!

Sellwood Community House is thrilled to partner with Portland Revels for this event. Portland Revels produces live events that bring intergenerational community together through song, dance, storytelling, and ritual.

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: TBD
July 23: Darka Dusty
July 30: Jackson Grace
August 6: Asher Fulero
August 13: Jason Buchanan
August 20: Vince Kelly

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 12: 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
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, and to register!

Class Schedule:

Mondays: Ready, Set, Go!
Tuesdays: Music and Movement
Wednesdays: Tiny Tumblers
Wednesdays: Mighty Tumblers
Friday: Ladybug Explorers

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, and to register!

Class Schedule:

Wednesdays: Tiny Tumblers
Wednesdays: Mighty Tumblers
Wednesdays: Terrific Tumblers

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!

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!

54
Number of Zip Codes from the Portland area: 28!
15
Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Florida, Maryland, Montana, New York, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia & Washington!
227
Dance Classes with Body Vox, Story Times, Author Readings, Crafts, Sports & more!
2,087
Visitors borrowed a wide variety of recreational materials, from sports equipment to art supplies, and more!
3,112
Art Kits, Soccer Balls, Board Games, and More!
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!

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: