Let's face it, when you live in a zip in Portland you are going to have to reckon on rain for a good two thirds of the year. It's not like living in Meadowvale homes, where you can count on most of the summer being pretty dry and quite hot. Our climate here in Portland is ruled by the ocean, and with no mountains in between that means there is plenty of rain falling as the ocean moisture moves east with the winds.

However, the rain is something that Portland residents have become used to. As a result, a drizzly day might not be the deterrent to outdoor fun to those living here as it might be to people in a drier climate. Rain might send you to a recumbent bike in Toronto for exercise if you lived there, but you will still see plenty of people biking, running, and roller blading around the city of Portland's public parks even if it is raining outside. In fact, that rain is a big part of the reason why Portland has as many green spaces as we do. There are lots of opportunities for natural beauty to flourish here, and the city and state have both capitalized on this through the creation of dozens of park for public enjoyment.

Our parks run a full range of styles, with many different activities to do in each one. Many of them are concentrated in the southern parts of the city, although Governor's Park is the only park in Oregon that is also located in the middle of a metro area. Again, it's just easier to grow green anywhere here, so we try to do it everywhere!

If you talk to most residents, they will tell you that the city's crowning glory as far as parks go has to be Forest Park to the west of the city. This is one of the United States' largest forest preserves, stretching for eight miles along the Willamette River. No need to worry about using test weights and other indoor equipment to get in shape if you like going outside here; there are dozens of activities to enjoy. Swimming, hiking, biking the trails, and going for ATV rides are all popular in this area.

If you are looking for a tamer version of an outdoor park, one where you can take your kids and change their diapers with easy access to facilities, then a more municipal park might be a better option for you. Check out a park like Grant or Glenwood, where you can play some tennis while your kids hit the wading pool.

Remember, living in Portland doesn't mean being stuck inside wondering if you should change your vanity cabinets every day. There are many parks offering a great look into the natural wonders surrounding the city.