BWNA committee Friends of Wilshire Park (FOWP) has been hard at work figuring out the best options for improving the children’s play area after hearing about the deep cuts to the Portland Parks & Recreation (PP&R) budget allotted by City Council. Redesigning the site is out of the question, as a good number of staff members have been laid off, and there simply aren’t the work hours available to review and approve new proposals. However, an option available to FOWP is piece-by-piece replacement, buying the same or similar items directly from the company contracted by PP&R for equipment installation.
The results of an online community poll earlier this year on the FOWP website (www.friendsofwilshirepark.org) showed overwhelming support for a woodland theme for any new equipment that is installed—which is no surprise, given the popularity of the numerous Douglas fir trees and native plants in the NatureSpace area. Moving forward, the FOWP steering subcommittee was preparing to kick off a community fundraiser to replace the broken-down little car with a similarly sized toy off-road vehicle when some extraordinary news was received: two residents, who wish to remain anonymous, generously offered to donate thousands of dollars to purchase the entire car so that children will have a safe, new piece of equipment to play on this summer!
An elated FOWP steering subcommittee was then free to focus its fundraising efforts on replacing another piece of equipment, which is yet to be determined—perhaps the little play house with a cabin or a log tunnel or a “rock” to climb.
There are numerous options when it comes to equipment for children under five that are compatible with the woodland theme. Decisions about which specific pieces to purchase will depend on how much money is raised, the preferences of people who attend FOWP meetings, online voting on FOWP surveys, and the type of equipment that is already at the site. The goal is to populate the play area with safe, durable, engaging structures that let kids’ imaginations run wild as they play.
Friends of Wilshire Park meetings are held on the second Wednesday of each month at 7:00 p.m. in the basement activity room of Bethany Lutheran Church (entrance on Skidmore Street side). See FOWP website for updated information.