Director Park - Spring/Summer 2015

Spring / Summer 2015 Activities in West Portland

Director Park

Commissioner Amanda Fritz Director Mike AbbatĂŠ

REGISTRATION BEGINS FEBRUARY 23, 2015 Go to PortlandParks.org, click on the Register Now tab.

Portland Parks & Recreation - Spring / Summer 2015

Get on board with Environmental Education’s "Summer Nature Day Camp!"

By: Chrissy Larson (a.k.a. Teacher Balsam) Coordinator for Environmental Education – City Nature "I'm writing to express my sincere gratitude for the scholarship our family received for our daughters to attend Nature Camp. They were at Forest Park camp and absolutely LOVED it! Every day they came home bursting with stories of their adventures - smudge, treasure hunts, fairy sightings, [pretend] fishing, and hiking 'even farther than the other kids!' I know this will be a highlight of their summer, and it would not have been possible without the scholarship. We feel your program has enormous value and feel so fortunate that our kids have been a part of it. I will continue to rave about it to anyone who will listen!" ~ Parent of campers from SW Portland Are you looking for a way to connect your child to nature this summer? Nature Day Camp touts a highly-trained, diverse staff who work hard to find the perfect balance of ecology, games, free play and fun! Weekly nature themes drive the focus of the camp but are only a catalyst – many daily activities are chosen by the campers. Our goal is to connect children to nature through hands-on experiences, to model curiosity and wonder, and to be a collection of positive influences toward children of all ages. Scholarships are available for families in need.

From 9am – 3pm each day, children and youth (ages 5-13) explore the wild spaces of Portland’s Parks and Natural Areas. We hire staff who have an affinity for science, ecology, mentoring and playfulness – plus they are trained in CPR & First Aid, child development, large and small group management, teaching methodology, risk management, Leave No Trace principles, benefits of nature connection and natural area stewardship. Additionally, staff spend time honing skills and knowledge about traditional Native American crafts and stories, large and small group games, ethnobotany, science and ecology, wilderness survival, stealth games, and nature art. Come join us!

2015 SUMMER SCHEDULE OF WEST-SIDE CAMPS •

June 22-26 – Hoyt Arboretum

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June 29-July 2 – Washington Park

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July 6-10 – Hoyt Arboretum

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July 13-17 – Hoyt Arboretum

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July 20-24 – Marshall Park

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July 27-31 – Hoyt Arboretum

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Aug 3-7 – Hoyt Arboretum

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Aug 10-14 – Hoyt Arboretum

For the full schedule and program details, please call the Environmental Education office at 503-823-3601 or check out our website: www.portlandoregon.gov/parks/ndc

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"This is better than lying on the couch.

I feel so alive now!" ~ 2014 participant

TEENS AGES 11-17:

Learn about Oregon's plant and animal life with our adventurous naturalists! Staff are experienced in environmental education, outdoor recreation and are certified Wilderness First Responders.

More information on our website: www.portlandoregon.gov/parks/ teenadventure

• SPRING BREAK ADVENTURES! (MARCH 23-27) ACTIVITY #1020947 Spend five days exploring natural areas in and around Portland. Each day we will hike, explore and play!

• SUMMER 2015: “BEST OF CITY NATURE CAMP” (AUG 10-14) ACTIVITY #1023058 Visit a different Portland Park each day! Connect to nature and have a great time along the way.

Westside Parks

TARGET

Portland Parks & Recreation

BODY MAKEOVER

at Southwest Community Center Hit your TARGET and achieve measurable results - in just 6 weeks!

PROGRAM - WHAT YOU WILL DO • Work in a small team with a SWCC Personal Trainer 3 times a week • Follow a 6-week curriculum customized to your individual needs • Complete the “homework” exercise sessions assigned by your trainer • Attend weekly nutrition classes with SWCC’s very own Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) and learn about proper nutrition and how to track your eating plan • Get Fitness Assessments at the start and end (with checkpoints in the middle) so you can see your progress and achievements

RESULTS - WHAT YOU WILL GAIN • Lower body fat percentage • A leaner, sculpted and toned look

Program starts February 16.

See the front desk at SWCC for more information.

• Limited space available • Team training Monday/Wednesday/Friday

• Greater flexibility and functional fitness • More stamina and energy

from 8:15-9:15 am with John Cunningham • Nutrition class offered Thursday evening

• A new focus on maintaining a healthy, fit lifestyle • A feeling of accomplishment and pride

from 7-8 pm with Gail Nelson

(no make-up classes provided)

Linda

• AND MORE!

Register On-Line at www.PortlandParks.org

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Portland Parks & Recreation - Spring / Summer 2015

SW Neighborhoods Parks and Community Centers Committee

By Leonard Gard, Program Manager, SWNI 2014 parks replacement bond You’ve probably all heard that voters in November approved the parks replacement bond.

The money mainly goes to urgent repair projects. Southwest Portland will have two projects on the first project list. At Multnomah Arts Center, the project will address ADA deficiencies at the entrances and restrooms of the cottages, and make structural and seismic repairs to the main building. At Rieke field, workers will renovate the existing synthetic playing field by removing the turf, addressing geotechnical issues, improving drainage systems, and installing a new synthetic field, curbing, walkway and furnishings. The bond provides $68 million for projects, and $35 to $49 million is allocated to projects on that first project list. In mid-2015, Portland Parks & Recreation (PP&R) will refine the costs for those projects.

At Couch Park, a Portland loo will replace a built restroom, and the playground removed for structural safety reasons last year will be replaced as well. Other projects in Northwest Portland include replacement of the Maple Trail bridge in Forest Park, repair of two bridges in Macleay Park, significant upgrades to the playground in the North Park Blocks and major ADA improvements in the Washington Park Rose Garden.

In late 2015, PP&R will release a draft list for new projects based on criteria that will allocate the remaining money not earmarked for the first project list. The Parks Bureau’s Budget Advisory Committee will review the list in mid-2016 and will make a recommendation to Commissioner Amanda Fritz, who will make the final decision.

SWNI PARKS COMMITTEE WORK

All of the SW Neighborhoods committees have been closely following the process by which the city is writing a new comprehensive plan. Oregon law requires all cities and counties to have comprehensive plans to address growth and development. The new plan will include goals and policies; a project list; a map that designates places for growth, development, and conservation; and a transportation system plan. Chapter 8 of the plan lists parks & recreation goals and policies. Other parks-related issues like city greenways and urban habitat corridors are in other chapters.

The committee is very engaged in possible recommendations to this planning effort.

One committee member called for establishing standards for infrastructure that all parks should have, making sure that that all people have good access to parks, setting directions on how to expand the park system as the population grows, and taking annual measurements to track progress. Committee members also brought up these other ideas for further discussion: • Creating a list of uses incompatible in parks.

• Establishing rules and policies on surplus property, and considering all surplus property for re-zoning as open space.

• Avoiding contact of treated wood with water.

• Tax incentives for trail building.

• Development of emergency routes.

• Maintaining a GIS map and ground-truthing it.

• Limiting user fees in parks.

• Prohibiting memorial benches that include personal messages.

The committee has not fully discussed these ideas or made recommendations yet. They also discussed whether there should be policies on issues like safety, friends groups, and limits on the height of buildings adjacent to parks—to allow more sunlight into parks. The committee will be discussing these and other issues, to make their final recommendations to the Bureau of Planning and Sustainability, which are due in March of 2015.

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FRIENDS OF GABRIEL PARK

Last year, Parks Committee member Gary Miniszewski helped form the Friends of Gabriel Park. Their mission is to learn more about Gabriel Park and the SW Community Center and to help sustain and improve these great SW Portland resources. At three recent meetings, the Friends met with Portland Parks & Recreation representatives to discuss present activities at the SW Community Center and in the park and how planning is done for park natural areas. They had a work party last May, for Earth Day, to eradicate invasive plant species in the park natural areas, and continued this effort last October on No Ivy Day. Meetings are usually held once a month, on the third Wednesday of the month, at the Southwest Community Center, 7:30 PM in the poolside room. If you have questions about Friends of Gabriel Park or perhaps would like to join, contact Gary by email at garyminiszewski@ gmail.com. The website is friendsofgabrielpark.wordpress. com.

BUDGET ADVISORY COMMITTEE

Parks Committee member Steve Mullinax from the Bridlemile neighborhood recently served on the Parks Bureau’s Budget Advisory Committee (BAC) for the 201516 budget year. He was one of ten neighborhood coalition

and community members on the BAC. Parks board members and labor partners composed the remainder of the committee. The BAC met five times from November 2014 to January 2015. It looks like the 2015-16 budget year will be “a stabilization year,” meaning there likely won’t be cuts but nor will there be much additional money, although there may be some one-time money for special projects.

Issues that came up included services to the underserved, broadening the diversity of Parks Bureau employees, baseline assessments to judge progress, and summer programs.

PARKS COMMITTEE MEETINGS

The committee is one of the standing committees of Southwest Neighborhoods, Inc., a nonprofit corporation that serves seventeen neighborhood associations in southwest Portland. The committee meets every first Thursday of the month, usually at the Multnomah Arts Center. The public is always invited to attend. For more information, call Leonard at 503-823-4592. And subscribe to SWNI’s monthly newspaper, the SW Neighborhood News, by calling or visiting the website, www.swni.org. It’s free.

In other southwest news, the new playground at Marshall Park just opened as this guide went to press. Watch the SWNI newsletter this spring for information about a ribbon-cutting celebration.

Register On-Line at www.PortlandParks.org

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Westside Parks

Portland Parks & Recreation

Portland Parks & Recreation - Winter 2015

Updates from Washington Park

Meet the Park Rangers for Washington Park By: Bryan Aptekar, West Service Zone Coordinator, PP&R Washington Park may not be our biggest park in the system, but by the number of visitors it certainly is the most visited. This is in part thanks to the draw of the many partner venues including Hoyt Arboretum, the Portland Japanese Garden, the Portland Children’s Museum, the World Forestry Center and the Oregon Zoo. In addition, Washington Park is home to the region’s only outdoor archery range, has the world-famous International Rose Test Garden, the Vietnam Veteran’s Memorial of Oregon, and offers many miles of trails, all of which brings an estimated 3 million visitors per year.

To make the park more enjoyable and safe for the many visitors and our venue partners, PP&R has assigned three full time and a few part-time/seasonal rangers to support the program. The rangers provide daily presence and ambassadorial services throughout the park, funded by the pay-to-park program. Their primary duties include welcoming visitors, giving directions, answering questions, and keeping an eye out for safety issues. They educate people about park rules and work with them to gain compliance when necessary. Given the large amounts of open space in the park, the rangers also address unauthorized camping, dogs of leash and scoop laws, and nuisance behaviors. The Rangers are the go-to problem solvers when issues arise, from downed trees to car break-ins. (Don’t forget to keep your cars locked and showroom clean to prevent car breaks!)

The rangers also help with traffic management responsibilities related to peak visitation days for events such as Zoo Lights and summer concerts.

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We feel lucky to have a team of three Kevin Perrine, permanent Rangers from diverse our newest backgrounds joining together with permanent some spectacular seasonal Rangers Park Ranger, to provide a positive presence who began at Washington Park. Take Sofia with PP&R in Chavier, for example. Her impressive the summer background includes working in social of 2014, came services, advising former Mayor Adams to Portland on public safety policy, and training with 15 years’ with Portland Police and a local experience.

Sherriff’s office. “I’m so happy not to be In that role he was a generalist behind a desk anymore,” says Chavier, doing everything from education and enforcement of park laws to maintenance and leading educational programs for school groups and other visitors. He also spent many years with the LA County Fire Department in their forestry division on forest fire prevention efforts, ranging from sampling fuels and determining fire behavior to working with people on how to plant safely around their homes.

Kevin is proud of working in Washington Park and enjoys learning about the different venues and serving as a resource to visitors. When not at work, Kevin’s teenage daughter and almost teen son keep him busy with their many sports. who in her past has also worked as an IT professional in the Midwest and with a Portland-local union. She shared that she appreciates being able to do social service work in a new way, as part of her job involves working with folks experiencing homelessness and helping them connect with services they might need. Outside of work, she enjoys spending more time outdoors – hiking.

You’ve probably bumped into her on a trail in Forest Park, but you may not recognize her out of uniform.

Vicente Harrison, Washington Park Lead Ranger has served as a PP&R Park Ranger before we started this program.

He worked one season in the downtown area before he became permanent.

He has an accomplished background – with years of experience in private security, doing after school programming with

Portland Parks & Recreation the Vancouver School District, and working with a Home Owners Association. It was his decade as a coach for the Golden League, a drug-free youth basketball program affiliated with PP&R, which led him to want to join our team of rangers.

Vicente shares that he loves working for PP&R. His ranger job gives him an opportunity to make a difference. Ranger Harrison often speaks to groups of kids about his work and enjoys answering some of their “tough” questions like “why is the bug population declining” or “why are some trees taller”.

We’re happy to have partners who are such great problem-solvers and with this depth of experience and enthusiasm in our ranger team! And it seems that they are making a difference too. Since January 2014, according to police data the number of reported crimes for Washington Park have declined by approximately 50 percent. More research and information is needed to understand the link between ranger presence and crime statistics, but these early results are encouraging and suggest a positive benefit from our park rangers. If you see them in the park, please take time to get to know them and say hello!

Pay-to-Park program completes first year By: Victor Sanders, Parking Program Specialist, PP&R Sitting on nearly 400 acres of forested hillsides and open space, Washington Park is home to some of Portland’s favorite attractions. The Oregon Zoo, Hoyt Arboretum, the International Rose Test Garden, Portland Japanese Garden, Portland Children’s Museum, and the World Forestry Center all sit within the Park. On beautiful spring or summer days, local visitors and guests from all over the world traverse the many trails and roads within the park.

In January 2014, Portland Parks implemented a new pay to park system for Washington Park to improve and invest in the transportation system in and around the Park.

WHAT WE’VE BEEN UP TO:

Since inception, Parks staff have delivered on the immediate priorities identified with neighbors and stakeholders. Three full-time Park Rangers now patrol Washington Park, providing ambassadorship to visitors and providing problem-solving functions for security and livability issues in the park. Since the Park Rangers began in Washington Park, they’ve made contact with over 70 individuals living or camping in the park, connecting them with services and providing resources.

Staff also worked quickly to address some of the trouble spots on many park roadways. Nearly $70,000 was spent on re-paving and filling potholes last summer.

Many roads are in extremely poor condition, and more extensive work must be done to ensure roadway investments last for the long-haul.

Visitors may also notice new signage has been popping up throughout the park to improve safety and way finding, particularly in the south end of the Park.

On busy days, visitors driving to the Oregon Zoo, World Forestry Center, and Portland Children’s Museum may have noticed the real-time parking lot conditions posted on Highway 26 via message boards, updated by Park Rangers. These message boards allow visitors to go directly to the overflow parking lots or choose to park in other areas of the park and take the free shuttle. Last summer, the free park wide shuttle provided free trips from the Washington Park MAX Station to other areas of the park — increasing ridership by nearly 70% over the previous year! (continued on page 10)

Register On-Line at www.PortlandParks.org

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Portland Parks & Recreation - Winter 2015

Updates from Washington Park

Pay-to-Park program completes first year By: Victor Sanders, Parking Program Specialist, PP&R

(continued from page 9)

WHAT’S NEXT FOR WASHINGTON PARK?

Staff has also begun work on the long-term outcomes desired for Washington Park, with the central goal of creating an efficient transportation and parking system that supports connections for all types of travel. This means policies and systems that sustain strong business and tourism for the venues, and establishes an accessible and safe transport system that contributes positively to the park and surrounding neighborhood.

In the next 12 months, Portland Parks & Recreation expects to work on: • Continuing to improve roadway conditions and provide long overdue maintenance to crosswalks, signs, and sidewalks.

• Installation of real-time parking space counters in the south parking areas of the park.

• Debut of a parking app, allowing you to pay for parking via your mobile phone.

• Initiation of the planning process to develop a master plan for Washington Park.

• Continuing to take feedback and improve the pay to park system so it is easy to use and efficient for all users.

WHEN YOU GO:

Driving: Paying to park is easy, just remember your parking space number painted on the pavement and pay at the nearest meter. No need to return to your vehicle with your receipt. $1.60/per hour. You can also purchase an all-day ticket: $6.40/day in the peak season (April 1 - Sept 30) or $4.00 in the off-peak (Oct 1 - March 31).

Taking transit: Hop on a Red or Blue line MAX Train to Washington Park! It’s easy, and you can take the free park wide shuttle from the MAX station to all destinations within the Park (May 1 thru Labor Day).

For more information, visit washingtonparkpdx.org.

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Portland Parks & Recreation

We’re one year old!

By: Heather McCarey, Executive Director, Washington Park Transportation Management Association It’s easy to get lost in Washington Park. It’s easy to get lost in the sunshine that illuminates the leaves, the rain drops that soften the dirt paths, the summer concert melodies, and the special events that mark the seasons.

The beauty of Washington Park, set at the footsteps of the City, helps us get lost in our own moments. The Washington Park TMA is a non-profit created to help you find one of the best ways to get lost.

Established in 2013, the Washington Park TMA, which stands for Transportation Management Association, is working to improve access to and around the park and its attractions, including the World Forestry Center, Portland Children’s Museum, the Oregon Zoo, Hoyt Arboretum, Portland Japanese Garden, International Rose Test Garden, tennis courts, playgrounds, trails, soccer fields and more. It’s been a busy year with even more plans on the horizon.

Here’s a snapshot of what the Washington Park TMA has accomplished in just one year through its partnership with Portland Parks & Recreation, the venues of Washington Park, TriMet, and the surrounding neighborhoods.

• Partnered with TriMet to provide a free bus service within the park • Over the summer of 2014, this free service saw a 70% increase in weekday ridership from the previous year.

• Provided bilingual Seasonal Customer Service staff who, along with Travel Portland volunteers, had over 17,000 conversations with park users and provided over 10,000 Washington Park Maps.

• Planning for pay-by-phone service to make paying for parking easier • Installed six trail counters to learn more about the usage of the park’s trail system • Purchased portable dynamic display signs for Hwy 26 that provide up to the minute information on parking availability in the park.

• Surveyed park visitors, volunteers, and employees to collect data on current transportation habits •

Worked with park venues to provide traffic management services for events such as Zoo Lights, which saw record breaking attendance this year.

We are not slowing down! There’s a lot more to look forward to in the upcoming year: • A new free Washington Park shuttle • Vehicle counters in the south end parking lots to provide up-to-the-minute parking availability information • A new Washington Park website that will provide information on: • Current parking availability • Transit options to the park • Washington Park shuttle information • Venue and Park events • General park information The Washington Park TMA is funded through the Washington Park pay-to-park program, of which 100% of the funds stay in the park, as well as a grant from Metro.

Our new website will go live this summer. Until then, visit us at washingtonparkpdx.org to find your best way to get around.

Register On-Line at www.PortlandParks.org

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Portland Parks & Recreation - Spring / Summer 2015

Director Park Corner of Yamhill St. & Park Ave. Portland, OR 97205 503-823-8087 www.DirectorPark.org Urban Park Specialist: Alicia Hammock Web: www.portlandparks.org & www.directorpark.org Email: DirectorPark@portlandoregon.gov Max: Blue Line & Red Line Streetcar: Stop at Yamhill & 10th one block west of park Disabled Accessable

We accept applications 12 months in advance for...

• Art & Cultural Performances • Public Events • Private Events Find out more about Director Park by visiting:

www.DirectorPark.org LIKE US ON FACEBOOK!

www.facebook.com/directorpark

Daily Amenities in Director Park PUBLIC RESTROOM OPEN DAILY

TEACHERS FOUNTAIN Fountain on April thru September 9:00am 10:00pm daily.

(Unless pre-planned events are scheduled.)

BIG CHESS Hours change seasonally. For current hours call 503-823-8087.

Drop in and play a game using our 24” pieces!

ELEPHANTS IN THE PARK March – May: 11am-8pm daily June – August: 11am-9pm daily Elephants in the Park features a healthy take on grilled favorites. There is plenty of outdoor seating and it’s a great place to grab a bite while your kids play in the park.

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Portland Parks & Recreation Fulton Park CC

IMAGINE YOUR EVENT HERE!

Southwest CC

WWW.DIRECTORPARK.ORG A DOWNTOWN URBAN INTIMATE SPACE PUBLIC RENTALS & PRIVATE EVENTS | 503.823.8087

Hillside CC

Arts & Cultural Program

Wilson Pool

DIRECTOR PARK EVENTS

Help bring a variety of arts & cultural activities to Director Park!

Director Park

Interested in performing in an urban, outdoor location?

Contact Alicia Hammock at DirectorPark@portlandoregon.gov or visit www.DirectorPark.org and click on “Arts & Cultural Program.”

Registration

Register On-Line at www.PortlandParks.org 11