Fling 2014: McMenamins Kennedy School

After visiting Loree's Garden (which will come up later on), we made the fairly short walk to Kennedy School, which is a former elementary school in Portland. After closing as a school in 1975, it was boarded up and sat unloved for 20 years until McMenamins took it on to create an "adult playground", complete with bars, swimming pool, entertainment venues etc. However we were there for the gardens rather than the entertainment - although we did stay behind for a pint in the basement bar.


We began the tour on the front lawn, with an talk about the history of the planting and the approach they have taken.

Very little existed in the way of planting when McMenamins took on the building, just a handful of trees, most of which are still there today.

Bloggers exploring the gardens



A new xeric bed has recently been added, which looks like it may need a little more time to settle in.



Public planting in the UK rarely is as interesting, this certainly beats the typical bedding displays and conifers you get round most hotels or pubs.

Cotoneaster glaucophyllus

Whilst the planting lacked the personal touch of the various blogger and personal gardens we visited it really was great to see a what was in effect public planting using so many interesting plants.  Gaz