|
|
THE ANNUAL MIRACLE RESUMES
Spring has truly arrived in Portland. Daffodils and crocus have given way to tulips. Our legendary rhododendrons are exploding like fireworks, and the dogwoods mimic happy brides. Gardeners are bottoms-up in every front yard--when they're
not plundering the nurseries for more ways to beautify our City.
Portland Parks Foundation, too, is bursting forth with grand new projects reflecting the energy and renewal which exemplifies the season.
UP THE WALL
Speaking of wonders, a miracle of serendipity and generosity has led to a $56,000 gift which will benefit children all over Portland. Forced to take a detour last summer, a trustee of the Kelley Family Foundation happened to
see a Portland Parks Foundation (PPF) billboard and was inspired to call us about an idea for funding indoor play structures. PPF worked with Portland Parks & Recreation to create a proposal to purchase and install climbing walls in East
Portland, Southwest, Mt. Scott, St. Johns, Hillside and University Park Community Centers. Installation of these walls will take place this summer.
kids using a climbing wall
 |
As part of its on-going generous annual support of Portland Parks Foundation's programs, REI granted $10,000 to fund time for kids to use the walls free of charge. REI was interested in helping with this project because it supports
a strategic objective of creating access to outdoor related programs for kids. And, it ties into REI's heritage of being founded by a group of mountaineers.
REI is planning to participate in a kick-off day when the walls are installed. At this event, REI will celebrate its gift and provide opportunities for its staff and customers to volunteer. Mary Bune, manager of REI Portland
and PPF board member said, "I find that once people volunteer it becomes inspirational to them to be further involved and to involve others in the experience."
While having fun wall climbing, kids will develop upper and lower body strength, coordination, gross and fine motor skills, flexibility, endurance, self confidence, the ability to set goals, plan strategies, and build trust and
cooperation. Continuing the partnership, the City of Portland has funded two mobile climbing walls which will travel from park to park all summer, giving even more children the opportunity to learn, keeping young people engaged in the
Parks as they grow into their teen years.
As Mary Bune put it, "A wealth of benefits will spring from the partnership of the Kelley Family Foundation with REI and the City of Portland to leverage these programs and to further the stewardship of our parks."
|
|
|
|
|
INTO THE PARK
In the last Newsletter, we promised that construction on Holly Farm Park would soon begin, and this is now a reality. Through a community workshop process, a vision for what the park should be came into focus. J.P. Contractors is building
the park in the West Portland Park neighborhood, which will include a skateboarding area, playground, walking paths, picnic benches and a "talking circle," a neighborhood gathering place with seat walls.
Rod Wojtanik of Portland Parks & Recreation said, "In twelve years of public works projects, I have never seen this much volunteer participation by the professional design community."
"Talking Circle" under construction
 |
Holly Farm represents what can happen when charitable professionals work with community to create exactly what is wanted and needed. The list of those who contributed services or materials(and in some instances, both) to bring this
project to fruition is long: Walker Macy, Teufel Nursery, Zimmer Gunsul Frasca, Dreamland Skateparks, KPFF Consulting Engineers, Luma Lighting Design, Willamette Graystone, Rainbird Irrigation, EF Nursery, J.P. Contractors, Ross Island
Sand & Gravel Company, Wildwood Playground and United Pipe & Supply. Portland Parks Foundation thanks all of these bighearted companies for their generosity and community spirit.
The park will open this summer, and we'll announce the dedication date to e-mail subscribers.
|
|
|
|
|
To learn more about the Portland Parks Foundation, visit our web site at
www.portlandparksfoundation.org, or call us at 503.802.5757. |
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
So Much Support, So Little Space |
Neil Kelly Company and
Rejuvenation Inc. have made a joint gift of $50,000 to preserve the venerable
Peninsula Park Rose Garden. Among other improvements, these funds will be used to construct two ramps, allowing people with disabilities easy access from the garden to the historically designated bandstand for the first time.
Completion is anticipated by this October. For more information about this project,
click here to read the press release.
GreenWorks landscape architecture firm celebrated its tenth anniversary by installing a temporary park in front of its offices. "PARK (ing)" appeared like Brigadoon on a downtown street. At the end of its one-day appearance,
a raffle of the park's elements raised $800, which GreenWorks generously rounded up to $1,000, contributing the proceeds to Portland Parks Foundation.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Pictured below is GreenWorks' temporary park.
|
|
|
|