Wilsonville is currently Oregon’s 25th largest city, with a population just over 20,000 residents. Originally founded in 1880 at the Boones Ferry crossing on the Willamette River, the city has grown into a thriving community renowned for its beauty, environmental stewardship and convenience. As part of the Portland metropolitan area, and given its convenient location near I-5, Wilsonville is situated in the perfect location for commuting employees. Beyond its convenient location, Wilsonville also offers residents a gorgeous and thriving community to call home.
Winner of a Bronze Walk Friendly Community award for commitment to pedestrian safety and accessibility, Wilsonville has maintained its dedication for convenient and safe transportation for residence. The city has also been recognized for its sustainability, commitment to the environment and waste prevention with the State Recycler of the Year award in 2010. Wilsonville’s environmental stewardship received further public acclaim when awarded the State Land Board Award in 2003 and 2006 for the Lower Boeckman Creek Fish Passage and Stream Restoration Projects. Wilsonville’s dedication to managing natural resources has also earned it a Tree City USA designation for over nine years! It is no wonder then that the city’s motto is “Serving the Community with Pride!” View more of Wilsonville’s awards here.
Wilsonville not only boasts a beautiful and safe community, it is also home to some of Oregon’s best fine dining restaurants with a delicious variety for residents to choose from! Visit Dar Essalam for delectable Moroccan cuisine, or head to renowned Oswego Grill for American cuisine at its finest! Abella Italian Kitchen, located in downtown Wilsonville, offers Italian dining for the discerning palate. Abella Italian Kitchen also features locally sourced produce, meats and seafood. For a more relaxed dining experience, head to Boone Town Bistro & Bar for American fare including filet mignon, burgers, regional seafood and so much more! To learn more about live music events held at Boone Town Bistro & Bar, visit their event calendar page here. To sample some truly local fare, be sure to visit Wilsonville’s Farmers Market, located in Sofia Park, where local farmers and chefs serve up a fantastic array of regional delicacies.
After enjoying some of Wilsonville’s renowned eateries, residents have endless opportunities for enjoying the beautiful Oregon weather at any one of Wilsonville’s 15 public parks. Visit Town Center Park for an interactive water feature, pedestrian paths, an Oregon Korean War Memorial, playgrounds and more! Or visit Memorial Park, Wilsonville’s large park, covering 126 acres, that features a community garden, off-leash dog park, skate park and endless sport facilities and fields. Boones Ferry Park also continues to be a popular destination for residents given its location along the Willamette River. The Boones Ferry Park features river access, the Tauchman House and pedestrian path. Find more city parks here! To maintain Wilsonville’s beautiful parks, and to show their civic pride, residents volunteer for WERK Day, a day dedicated to beautifying and updating city parks and public spaces. Other volunteer activities in Wilsonville include the Tree Planting done each winter in partnership with the Friends of Trees.
Beyond the beautiful parks, Wilsonvillians also enjoy fantastic public events throughout the year! During the summer, residents head to the River Shelter in Memorial Park to take in some family friendly movies at the Movies in the Park. Enjoy beautiful summer weather while listening to some of the Portland area’s finest musicians at Rotary’s Summer Concert Series in Town Center Park. Attendees can lay out on the lawn, picnic, or stroll by local vendors while listening to fantastic live performances. For an historical tour of Wilsonville’s cultural sights, try the free SMART Trolley Tours. Wilsonville also hosts an Antique Appraisal Day at the Community Center where residents can have their attic gems and relics appraised by professionals for the benefit of the Senior Nutrition Program. Or, if you are needing a break from all the outdoor activities, head to Spa Saturday at the Center for a free sampling of relaxing activities, superfoods snack bar, and health and craft vendors. The city of Wilsonville also offers residents events and classes for all ages throughout the year. Learn about Wilsonville’s community classes, including sport teams and art activities here.
Other family friendly events continue to run year round in Wilsonville, including the annual Fall Harvest Festival, typically held at Stein Boozier Barn, which brings the community together to celebrate the changing season with wagon rides, pumpkin carving, costume parade and so much more. The Holiday Fun Fest features a build-your-own gingerbread house activity and visits from Santa, while the Holiday Light Drives allow residents to visit the Portland International Raceway for its Winter Wonderland Holiday Light Show. View Wilsonville’s calendar here to see more upcoming events.
With its convenient amenities, commitment to environmental sustainability and beautiful urban community, Wilsonville continues to steadily grow as more residents are drawn to this gorgeous city on the river! Visit Wilsonville today and see why it is the premiere place to live in Oregon! You can find more information at the City of Wilsonville website here.