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Wrap-Up 2007 |
This has been an exciting year of growth, outreach, celebration and recognition for Portland Parks Foundation.
We expanded our staff so that we can do more to steward Portland's parks and to make it possible for more children to use them.
Youth from low-income families were reached through Portland Parks & Recreation (PP&R) programs funded by the Foundation's Project Inclusion. This included the purchase of six climbing walls to increase kids' physical, mental and social
skills.
Kids enjoying the festivities at Holly Farm Park openning.
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A community gathered to celebrate the opening of a brand new park made possible by Foundation efforts.
Legacy Circle donors (those who contribute $1,000 or more each year to the Portland Parks Foundation) were recognized at a special event.
GROWTH
Keeping pace with the opportunities and challenges of engaging the community in support of parks and park programs is one of the Foundation's major goals. In 2007, generous grants from Meyer Memorial Trust, The Oregon Community Foundation
and Maybelle Clark Macdonald Fund allowed the Portland Parks Foundation staff to add a fourth team member. This growth in people-power adds to our ability to continue to improve and expand existing parks, help to create new ones and invest
in programs for youth.
OUTREACH
A Project Inclusion grant from Portland Parks Foundation provided PP&R employees cross-cultural training to foster recognition, support and understanding of the value of diversity. This workshop helps Parks employees to interact more
effectively with the many diverse groups of people who use the parks.
PP&R's Summer Playground Program at Markham Elementary School provided neighborhood children, including many from immigrant families, a place to gather for safe, fun, free activities with lunch provided by the Federal Lunch program. From
June through August, an average of 39 children per day participated, a total of 1,560 visits.
Project Inclusion funds also supported programs that engaged teens in constructive activities which will help them develop valuable life skills.
CELEBRATION
Years of planning, creativity and hard work brought Holly Farm Park to a formerly park-deficient neighborhood called West Portland Park. Now the many children in this dense, multicultural area have a place to play and everyone has a
splendid gathering spot.
On September 15, Holly Farm Park had a truly grand opening. Under a brilliant blue sky, Portland Parks Foundation threw a party to celebrate this long-dreamed-of event.
Portland Parks Foundation Board Chair Randy Sell and Executive Director Linda Laviolette; Zari Santner, Portland Parks & Recreation Director; and Amanda Fritz of the Neighborhood Steering Committee thanked all who
contributed dollars, materials, talent and time to create this park. With no ceremonial ribbon to cut, former Foundation Board Chair David Fuks offered hilarious alternatives. Finally, Commissioner Dan Saltzman and Linda held
a program which was cut by Steering Committee member Andrew Provost, age 12. To much cheering, Commissioner Saltzman declared Holly Farm Park officially open.
"Ribbon" cutting
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Portland Parks & Recreation brought craft activities, LadyBug Walks and Urban Forestry; Portland Children's Museum, face painting; and REI, flying discs and "Leave No Trace" information.
People discovered the park's special features: a bioswale, a future wildflower meadow, trees and hollies saved from when the site was a working holly farm. The younger set made good use of the elaborate play structure and state-of-the-art
skate spot.
Tables laden with cookies, apples, hummus and soft drinks donated by local restaurants, markets, bakeries and residents completed the picture of a dream come true.
RECOGNITION
Our fifth annual Legacy Circle Celebration was held in October to honor our major donors. At the Interstate Firehouse Cultural Center, about a hundred guests enjoyed hors d'oeuvres, wine and a silent auction. We recognized the
contributions of REI, Neil Kelly Company and Rejuvenation, Inc. to special projects benefiting our parks.
OUTLOOK
Turning our focus toward the future, the Foundation is actively seeking a new home. (See "FOUNDATION SEEKS FRIEND…" top right, for details.)
Current projects include raising funds for major amenities to two new downtown parks and continuing to remove obstacles that prevent people, especially children from low income families, from enjoying parks and park programs. We'll share
more about these exciting developments in future newsletters.
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To learn more about the Portland Parks Foundation, visit our website at
www.portlandparksfoundation.org or call us at 503.802.5757.
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FOUNDATION SEEKS FRIEND WITH SQUARE FOOTAGE |
Since its inception six years ago, Portland Parks Foundation has been housed by the law firm of Tonkon Torp.
(Portland Business Journal, October 5, 2007, featured Executive Director Linda Laviolette in a story about companies which foster nonprofits in this way.) In this elegant setting, we have been given the use of conference rooms, a
phone system, supplies and legal advice. But now we've grown, and Tonkon Torp is growing, too, so the time has come for us to seek new quarters.
If you know of a downtown office building that can give us space, please call Linda at 503.802.5755. We need about 1,000 square feet. We can offer you four congenial neighbors and that warm feeling that comes with doing a good thing.
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HOW TO CONTRIBUTE
The close of the year is a good time to think about contributing to the work of Portland Parks Foundation. We hope you will include us in your year-end giving. Any contribution, large or small, helps us to do what we do and is most
appreciated.
Please visit our website at
www.portlandparksfoundation.org or call us at 503.802.5757.
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APPRECIATION FOR THE LEGACY CIRCLE EVENT
Our thanks to those whose in-kind contributions made the Legacy Circle Event a success.
Adelsheim Vineyard
ADPRINT Company
Bay 13 Restaurant
Community Music Center
Elk Cove Vineyards
Fife Restaurant
Interstate Firehouse Cultural Center
Jake's Catering
Legacy Circle
Event Committee
Pinch. A Design Office
Torii Mor Vineyard
Widmer Brothers
Brewing Company
Many, many silent auction donors and Event volunteers
Portland Parks Foundation Chair Randy Sell (left) welcomes Oregon visionary John Gray to the Legacy Circle Event.
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