52 Reasons to Love Lake Oswego

Summer nights are one of Lake Oswego’s gifts to its residents—warm, calm and bug-free—and what better way to celebrate them than watching a movie under the starry skies!

 The Lake Oswego Parks and Recreation Department is offering Movies in the Park over the next four Thursdays at Millennium Plaza Park, 200 First Street. Shows start at dusk (between 8:30 to 9:00 p.m.) so grab your blankets, pillows, and low sand chairs, and get comfy before the picture goes up.

It wouldn’t be the movies without popcorn—that’s available as well as other treats too so make it a fun family outing (invite the neighbors too).

 Here’s the lineup:

 July 25: Wreck It Ralph. Animated film about a video game villain who wants to stop being the bad guy and prove himself a hero.

August 1: Zookeeper. Kevin James brings new meaning to “talk to the animals” as his charges team up to help him win the girl while keeping his job.

August 8: Hotel Transylvania. Dracula thinks his “teenage” vampire daughter is safe in the monsters-only resort he has created to protect her. But when a 21 year old human boy finds his way in, Dracula finds that the powers of attraction may be greater than his magical powers.

August 15: Miracle. Relive the glory of the 1980 American hockey team gold medal championship win against the Soviet Union.

Movies in the Park, Lake Grove Swim Park, 4th of July festivities…there are lots of reasons to love Lake Oswego and you’ll find them right here. Click the “Sign me up” button in the top right hand column to subscribe to my blog so you don’t miss a thing. And give me a call if you’d like to see Lake Oswego for yourself through the eyes of a long-time resident and big-time fan. I’d love to help you find your new home in my favorite city.

Photo credit: Salvatore Vuono at freedigitalphotos.net

Swim Park regular, James McGrew, painted this picture of his daughter taking “The Leap” at the popular Lake Grove Swim Park. “I lived here for ten years before I knew about this place,” he admits. But now he and his family find it the perfect spot for swimming, picnicking, enjoying the 4th of July fireworks and…painting. (Check out all of his work on his website).

On a hot summer day, the Lake Grove Swim Park at 3800 Lakeview Boulevard in Lake Oswego is the place to be.

Beautiful setting, lifeguards, wading pool, swim lessons, playground, ping pong, shuffleboard, tetherball, badminton, picnic tables, sun, shade, and, as any kid will tell you, a great snack shack round out the reasons why residents head to the park from 12 noon to 8:00 p.m. from the first Saturday after LOSD schools close in June through Labor Day.

Listen to what some of the regulars have to say.

I’ve been coming since I was a teenager. It’s a nice place to spend an afternoon. I like to imagine it’s my own private estate.  – Karen Ifversen

I love it. It’s really well run with lots of lifeguards. You can bring guests and spend the day here. Most of all, my son is happy here. – Toi Deason

It gives my kids a chance to get outside and exercise in a nice atmosphere. –Todd Prager

It’s a great wildlife watching spot. We’ve seen bald eagles, osprey and even a mink.        – Heather Boyd

 My kids love it. They love the water and there are lots of things for them to do with their friends from school who come here too. It’s a good atmosphere. –Shanna Marsh

 It’s really social and fun. A lot of kids my age like to hang out here.  –Talia Dugan (15)

The Lake Grove Swim Park is run by the Lake Oswego School District and is open to residents who live within the boundaries of the former Lake Grove School District according to the original deed spelled out by Oregon Iron & Steel Company. (Check to see if you live within the boundary). While that district is now part of the LOSD, residents within those original boundaries still pay an additional property tax to support the park.

You must have a park pass to enter the park. Passes can be obtained at the park with a picture ID and proof of residency.

Swim lessons are a bargain at $10 for 10 lessons and are open to Lake Oswego school children even if their household falls outside the stipulated boundaries. They run in two week sessions and fill up fast. Pre-registration for the next session is this Friday, July 19 at 11:00 a.m. You must register in person at the swim park on a first come, first served basis. Check out the schedule.

And check out last year’s post on the swim park for more reasons why it’s such a popular spot.

If you’d like to find a home within the Lake Grove Swim Park boundaries, give me a call at 503.939.9801 or email me at kevin.costello@cascadehassonsir.com. My kids grew up at the swim park and I now have two daughters working there as lifeguards so I know what an asset it is to family life. I’d love to help you make your own memories there.

Michelle Obama is on a mission to raise a generation of healthier kids.

She would agree that Luscher Farm Family Dinners offered through the Lake Oswego Parks and Recreation Department are one important step towards that goal. Here’s why:

1. The food is FRESH. Chef teacher Laura Content develops the menus based on what can be harvested from the Luscher Farm Children’s Garden that season from kale and rhubarb to blackberries and edible flowers!
2. The food is YUMMY. This is not glorified kid food but meals even moms and dads will like. Past menus have included a risotto with fresh snap peas and blackberry gelato to a frittata with spring greens and strawberry rhubarb pie.
3. The food is prepared by KIDS and PARENTS. Each class is limited to five families with one adult and one child (at least six years of age) per family. This makes for an intimate experience and lots of hands-on opportunity. Content sets up a separate station for each parent and child where they can wash, chop and cook.
4. The food is EATEN by the chefs as well as their families. The rest of the chef’s family can join the class for dinner at 4:00 p.m. In winter, dinner is served in the parlor. In summertime, families gather around picnic tables under a shady maple tree.
5. The process ENTICES kids to try new things. “When they see the food coming from the garden into the kitchen, they want to try it,” explains Content. “They trust that it is going to taste good and they’re willing to give it at least one bite because they participated in it.” She recalls a seven year old who had refused to eat red bell peppers until they found their way into the sandwiches his class was preparing as part of a Red, White and Blue picnic theme. “His mom was so excited,” she adds, “because he had never done that at home.”

This season’s first Family Dinner is scheduled for this Saturday, June 8 from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. (dinner is served at 4:00 p.m.) at Luscher Farm , 125 Rosemont Rd. The theme is “Backcountry Cooking.” Future classes include “Berry Delicious Menu” on July 13 and “Garden Pizza and Peach Ice Cream,” on August 10. The fee is $46 for residents/$53 for non-residents. Register through the Lake Oswego Parks and Recreation Department.

Photo credit: woodleywonderworks via Compfight cc