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TIM CURRAN
THE MID-COUNTY MEMO
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| Argay resident Russ George and Argay Neighborhood Association Chair Valerie Curry get their first look at the Beech Park Master Plan during back to school night at Shaver Elementary last month. Answering questions from the assembled are, with their backs to the camera, from left, Kip Wadden, Portland Parks & Recreation’s senior management analyst, and Tara Sawyer, project associate from design consultants Moore Iacofano Goltsman, Inc. MEMO PHOTO: TIM CURRAN |
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| Graphic illustration of the proposed Beech Park Master Plan prepared and provided by Moore Iacofano Goltsman, Inc. What a fantastic job they did here. Respecting the past, including the present and looking to the future, this design, in our opinion, couldn’t be better. Including just about everything to satisfy most concerns, this design is unique, well-thought out and a tribute to the planning process. Having been born and raised in Portland, we understand and believe the truth in the Portland Parks & Recreation motto: “Healthy Parks, Healthy Portland.” We enthusiastically applaud the effort and outcome and will do what we can using the good offices of the Mid-county Memo to make Beech Park a reality for all Portlanders. |
| Submitted Graphic |
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| At Shaver Elementary’s open house last month, part of the happenings were a book fair, a new park master plan unveiling and free barbecue for all in attendance. Parkrose Burgerville General Manager Mike Dawson, red shirt, throws more burgers on the grill while guest service attendant Dustin Hettinger, foreground, flips them. And that’s guest service attendant Danielle Meldgaard closing her eyes to avoid the smoke with Burgerville Team Manager Jessica Daugherty obscured by the smoke. Not only did Dawson donate the food for the event, he brought the crew to prepare and feed 600 people. Wow! |
| MEMO PHOTO: TIM CURRAN |
The final report — which includes the design, a narrative and management recommendations — goes to City Council for approval before the end of the year, if all goes according to Portland Parks & Recreation Senior Management Analyst Kathleen “Kip” Wadden’s plan. “We may take two or four (other park master plans) of them (to the council); we’re not sure yet,” Wadden said. The day after the event she added, “Reaction to the Beech Park plan was overwhelmingly positive, so we’re pleased.”
In 1984, Portland Parks & Recreation purchased a 10.07-acre parcel of land west of Shaver Elementary School, 3701 N.E. 131st Place, in the Argay neighborhood. Fifteen years later, in 1999, PP&R acquired the 5.64-acre plot to the north of the school. The Garre family, former owner of the parcels, continued the farm operation as it had for generations until May 2007.
In 2008, the planning process to design what will become Mid-county’s largest park began.
But, last year when the council was looking at budgets, Commissioner Dan Saltzman asked, “Why do we bother to fund the process for a (park) master plan when we have no money to implement it?” The answer to this is there are many sources of money in addition to the city’s general fund, and a master plan is the prerequisite to getting any of it. You have to get the master plan in place first.
For a recent example of a park being built in Portland with a variety of funding sources, look no further than Holly Farm Park, a smaller (1.72 acre) city park that was originally covered with different kinds of holly. About three quarters of the total money (one million and change) to build it came from somewhere other than the general fund.
Some of the money came from grants and some of it was generated through private fundraising. The largest piece of getting Holly Farm Park built was having a master plan, enabling private citizens — in this case City Council candidate Amanda Fritz — to apply for and secure grants and conduct private fundraising. Does east Portland have private citizens that are competent, willing and able to begin the funding process for parks in Mid-county? Yes, we do: we have our own parks guru. Look for citizens like activist Linda Robinson for one to begin the grant-getting and fundraising process. There are, after all, two other Mid-county park master plans that will be ready to go before the City Council: Parklane and Clatsop Butte, both in outer Southeast. Robinson will lobby for them also.
Argay Neighborhood Association Chair Valerie Curry said of the master plan, “I think it looks lovely. In relationship to homes and whatnot, I haven’t figured that out yet. They’ve been very careful trying not to bother homeowners. I’m happy, but I’m no expert, and I don’t live up here so I can afford to be happy.”
Despite his backyard planned to abut the off-leash dog area, 40-year Argay resident Russ George said, “I love the design; It’s multi-purpose. I think the committee and the architect did a great job.”
So, yes it’s exciting to see the Beech Park Master Plan in place, but the $64,000 question — or in this case, the possible $6.4 million or more question — is how long will it take to get council approval and funding in place? Stay tuned.
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