News Release from: Portland Parks & Recreation
GROUNDBREAKING FOR NEW EAST PORTLAND COMMUNITY CENTER PLAYGROUND ON MONDAY, 7/30, 11AM
Posted: July 23rd, 2012 3:53 PM
Photo/sound file: http://www.flashalertnewswire.net/images/news/2012-07/1399/56252/East_Portland_CC_new_playground_rendering.jpg (East Portland Community Center Playground rendering courtesy: Portland Parks & Recreation, Portland, OR)
Free Community Celebration for Start of Portland's Latest E205 Initiative Project
(Portland, OR) -
Portland Parks & Recreation (PP&R) invites the public and media to a free celebration of the City's latest E205 Initiative success, a new outdoor playground at PP&R's East Portland Community Center.
WHAT: Celebration of the new playground at East Portland Community Center, an E205 Initiative project
WHERE: East Portland Community Center, 740 SE 106th Ave 503-823-3450
WHEN: Monday, July 30, beginning at 11am
Following brief remarks by City Parks Commissioner Nick Fish and PP&R Director Mike Abbaté, the groundbreaking will begin with the first shovel of dirt.
A huge track hoe excavator from contractor GSE INC will rumble to life and cultivate the beginnings of the new playground with a massive scoop of earth. Light refreshments will also be served.
Construction and prep work will begin the week of Monday, July 30. Work is expected to be complete no later than October 2. The playground was designed by Portland Parks & Recreation planner Travis Ruybal, and playground equipment being used at EPCC is made by BigToys.
Please see the attached graphic for a look at the new playground.
"The new playground at East Portland Community Center will be a step towards greater equity and tremendous asset to the traditionally underserved areas east of I-205," says City Parks Commissioner Nick Fish. "This playground is another tremendous example of a noticeable, tangible, and delightful amenity made possible by the City's E205 Initiative for the 375,000 people whom EPCC serves each year."
East Portland Community Center had the most number of visits out of any Portland Parks & Recreation center last year.
Another E205 Initiative project will result in a new playground this fall at PP&R's East Holladay Park at 12999 NE Holladay St.
About the E205 Initiative:
The E-205 Initiative was enacted by the City by a 5-0 Council vote.
There have been, and will continue to be, many projects in East Portland undertaken under the umbrella of E-205 initiative. The idea is to make smaller, affordable improvements in existing parks and facilities which can make a big, immediate and tangible difference to a community without waiting for a bond measure (which could take years).
Portland Parks & Recreation staff are working on amenities such as benches, painting play structures and both refurbishing and installing new play equipment, new water fountains, and benches.
The E-205 Initiative came about under the guidance of City Parks Commissioner Nick Fish. New parks can cost in the tens of millions and Portland Parks & Recreation is looking toward a bond measure in the future to address these service gaps. However, as mentioned, a bond measure will take years. Fortunately, PP&R is able to make noticeable, tangible, and useable improvements at this time and going forward.
"Many Portlanders love our city for its beautiful parks, but few people recognize how many citizens don't have access to them," says Nick Hardigg, Executive Director of the Portland Parks Foundation.
"That is especially true in East Portland, where the population has been rising for decades with very few parks being created. We see the projects of E-205 as both extremely necessary and also having a remarkable return on investment. Nowhere can so little money have a greater impact than with E-205. As the fundraising foundation for Portland's park-loving citizens, equity of access is central to our mission. We are an eager partner to make these outstanding opportunities become reality."
www.portlandparksfoundation.org
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