Residents of Beaumont-Wilshire and Alameda neighborhoods have made steady progress upgrading Wilshire Park, overcoming ongoing financial constraints experienced by Portland Parks & Recreation (PP&R) budget deficits. The grant-facilitated NatureSpace planted last fall has provided a peaceful spot for contemplation, logs for youngsters to balance on, and snacks for birds and pollinators. The new slide in the children’s play area installed shortly thereafter has been a hit with toddlers, and this fall, kids and adults watched as the PP&R staff installed a shiny new play vehicle. These welcome improvements are largely the result of a series of park enhancement initiatives launched through BWNA’s Friends of Wilshire Park (FoWP) committee, which first called public attention to the sorry condition of the play equipment three years ago, researched possible remedies in conjunction with PP&R, and then set about the ambitious task of raising thousands of dollars needed to get the ball rolling on long-overdue renovations and replacements.
FoWP leaders have been very encouraged by strong support from the community: “What is most remarkable is that this has all been possible thanks to the generosity of local residents, businesses, and neighborhood associations. Without these contributions none of this would have happened, and all of us who use the park owe those who have pitched in a big thank you! And we’re not done yet!!” Friends of Wilshire Park now has permission from PP&R to replace the toddler playhouse, and the fundraising campaign got off to a fast start. With an early rough estimate of $20,000 for a newly purchased and installed structure, a quarter of that amount had been raised by mid-October from a variety of donors (the youngest of whom is a five-year-old who was motivated to donate her entire life savings of $39 in pennies from her piggie bank!). Assuming continued fundraising momentum, it’s feasible the toddler area could be enhanced by yet another new play structure in early 2020.
Interested in joining the effort? The FoWP committee meets across from the park at Bethany Lutheran Church (basement activity room on the Skidmore Street of the church) at 7:00 p.m. on the second Wednesday of each month. Or if you don’t have the time or inclination to attend (and even if you do), consider mailing a check made out to Central Northeast Neighbors (BWNA’s coalition organization with 501c3 nonprofit status), 4415 NE 87th Avenue, Portland, Oregon, 97220, or go to the FoWP website (www.friendsofwilshirepark.org) and click on the Donate button. And while on the website, check for information about opportunities to volunteer your time on various work details to maintain and improve the overall appearance and utility of the park. For example, on Saturday, November 23, FoWP is organizing to assist PP&R with leaf raking. PP&R Park Supervisor Mike Gross explains, “Late in November, after the turf becomes too saturated, it is more difficult to use heavy equipment on the grass, and more manual removal is needed.” Volunteers are asked to bring a bamboo or flexible-tined rake and meet at 9:00 a.m. at the Wilshire Park pavilion, between the toddlers play area and NatureSpace.
FoWP thanks you in advance for your dollar donations and volunteer help with the raking!