Just south of Portland, a quiet wooded community
Nestled along the Willamette River south of Portland and just north of Oregon City, Jennings Lodge is an unincorporated community in Clackamas County. It's wooded, notably, giving the area a secluded vibe for a spot just outside the city. Residents move here to enjoy peace and quiet in nature, to raise families or to retire. They have access to neighborhood parks and restaurants but also aren't far from the additional amenities offered by city living. Jane Morrison, former chair of the Jennings Lodge Community Planning Organization, explains the natural setting is what she enjoys most about the community. "There are big trees everywhere," she says. "I like that it's close to Portland but still in a very wooded area."
Housing options for every buyer
Jennings Lodge has a wide variety of housing options, ranging from manufactured homes in a 55-and-over community to waterfront mansions overlooking the Willamette River. Most houses in the neighborhood are modest single-family homes, in varieties like ranch-style and new traditional, with some mid-century modern and custom-built homes mixed in. The area has an all-natural, laidback feel, with lush greenery and uncurbed roads, giving the neighborhood a rural vibe while still in the suburbs. Lots feel especially secluded near the river, where tall firs bring near total privacy to waterfront residents. Prices in Jennings Springs vary greatly: manufactured homes typically sell for $40,000 to $70,000, and most single-family homes fall between $400,000 and $700,000, though select luxury properties exceed that. Overall, the median price in Jennings Lodge is $500,000.
Schools in the Oregon City School District
Students attend schools in the Oregon City School District, starting with Candy Lane Elementary School, which received a C on the educational review site, Niche. At Candy Lane Elementary, students can participate in a dual language program where they learn to read and write in Spanish and English. After Candy Lane Elementary, they continue to Gardiner Middle School, which received a C, and Oregon City High School, which received a B-minus. Parents interested in pursuing private education can send their children to the nearby Paideia Classical Christian School, which enrolls kindergarten through 12th-grade students.
Recreation at Stringfield Family Park and East Side Athletic Club
Located on nearly five acres along the multi-use Trolley Trail, Stringfield Family Park is Jennings Lodge's primary public green space. The park facilitates various recreational activities, with walking path loops, a playground, picnic areas and an open lawn. It also has natural areas and bridges over a stream and is known to be good for birdwatching. Natural beauty abounds at Stringfield Family Park, with flowers blooming in the spring and summer and leaves changing color in the fall. There's also a pollinator garden on the park's north end, which attracts local fauna. For additional recreation opportunities, some residents join the neighborhood's East Side Athletic Club, a local gym with fitness classes, a swim program and social events for adults.
Shopping and dining options around Jennings Lodge
Jennings Lodge residents enjoy local restaurants like Rigoberto's Taco Shop, which is open 24/7 and has a patio and a drive-thru; Roake's, a walk-up hot-dog shop; and Burgerville, a Portland-based chain committed to using local, sustainable ingredients. They shop for groceries at the Walmart and Fred Meyer north of the neighborhood and have access to retail stores along McLoughlin Boulevard like Ace Hardware, Office Depot and Goodwill. Also along McLoughlin is Oak Grove 8 Cinema, where residents can enjoy six- and eight-dollar movies.
Transportation options from Jennings Lodge
Jennings Lodge is 11 miles south of downtown Portland, and residents can take McLoughlin Boulevard to get there. TriMet has bus routes that connect to downtown Portland, but residents should allow at least an hour to get there. Jennings Lodge is three miles north of the nearest hospital, Providence Willamette Falls Medical Center, and 19 miles south of Portland International Airport.
Getting involved in Jennings Lodge
Each August, Jennings Lodge has an annual community picnic, a potluck affair with live music and games. Residents can get involved in the community throughout the year through the programming at local libraries. The neighborhood is between Oak Lodge Public Library and Gladstone Public Library, which offer programming like story times, gardening groups and parent education programs.
Photography Contributed By
Elizabeth James
