Esther Short Park
- Park
- Regional draw
- Vancouver
Esther Short Park serves as a central gathering place in downtown Vancouver, Washington.
Paths, lawns, public features, and an inclusive playground make it useful for both a brief pause and a family outing. The distinctive bell tower helps identify the park within the surrounding downtown streets.
Check the city's current park notices and event calendar before planning around a particular feature or activity. Markets and performances can change how busy the grounds are and which areas are available. Confirm water-feature operation separately, and follow posted guidance around play spaces and reserved event areas.
Visitor details reviewed October 18, 2026. Check official visitor information for current access, admission, and operating arrangements. View on OpenStreetMap.
Image credit: Cory Barnes from Vancouver, WA, United States / Wikimedia Commons. Original source. CC BY 2.0. Resized and converted to WebP; may be cropped for display.
Nearby
More places nearby
Clark County Historical MuseumClark County Historical Museum presents the stories of Vancouver and the wider county in a former Carnegie library.
Fort Vancouver National Historic SiteFort Vancouver National Historic Site interprets overlapping histories of trade, settlement, military life, and aviation in the Pacific Northwest.
Pearson Air MuseumPearson Air Museum explores the aviation history of Pearson Field in Vancouver, Washington.
Lan Su Chinese GardenAn enclosed city block in Portland's Old Town Chinatown contains Lan Su Chinese Garden. Its composed landscape brings water, architecture, and planting together, creating a much more intimate garden experience than a long walk through the city's larger parks.
Pittock MansionAbove Portland in the West Hills, Pittock Mansion preserves the former home of publisher Henry Pittock and his wife Georgiana. The French Renaissance-style house and its elevated estate setting connect domestic history with a broader view of the city.
International Rose Test GardenPortland's International Rose Test Garden combines a public garden visit with the evaluation of new rose varieties. Set in Washington Park, its beds introduce a wide range of roses while connecting the city's floral identity with an ongoing horticultural purpose.