Mr. Rogers would have been pleased. November 23 was a “beautiful day in the neighborhood” as a group of enthusiastic rakers and weeders spent several hours working together and getting to know one another at Wilshire Park. The excuse for the event was the need to weed the NatureSpace area in the park to help the barely year-old native plants get established without competition. But first the carpet of fallen leaves needed to be removed to reveal the interlopers. The result: several hundred—perhaps thousands—of baby Douglas firs and oaks removed from the fertile, hospitable soil by the energetic crew. BWNA’s Friends of Wilshire Park (FoWP) committee organized the event, which provided not only an opportunity for public-spirited individuals to steward the nascent NatureSpace, but also an occasion for chatting and socializing—oldsters in the group modeling community volunteerism for the upcoming generation.
Workers ranged in age from preschoolers to well past retirement, attention drawn to the event via the previous edition of the BWNA newsletter, Beaumont-Wilshire NextDoor website, FoWP informational e-mail, and through Quiet Clean PDX—a group advocating quieter alternatives to two-cycle, gas-guzzling, noisome yard maintenance equipment that pose health and environmental hazards to the community. Suffice it to say, the raking and weeding were not powered by fossil fuels, but by a generous offering of delicious breads and pastries donated by Grand Central Bakery to boost energy levels!
NatureSpace maintenance is not the only ongoing project on the FoWP docket. The campaign to raise funds to replace the playhouse still has a way to go to reach its goal, but given the number of youngsters using that playground, there should be little difficulty getting there. Checks (which are tax-deductible and should say “For Wilshire Park Playground” on the memo line) can be mailed directly to Central Northeast Neighbors, 4415 NE 87th Avenue, Portland, OR 97220, or submitted to a board member at any BWNA meeting, including FoWP committee meetings. (Note in this issue’s “BWNA Calendar of Events” on page 3 under “BWNA Meetings” that the starting time for FoWP meetings on the second Wednesday in January and February is 6:00 p.m. instead of the usual 7:00). There’s no shortage of talent in this beautiful neighborhood, and ideas about how to fund park improvements are always welcome for discussion at FoWP meetings!
Lastly, conversations continue with Portland Parks & Recreation about water and more fencing at the off-leash dog area. FoWP member Audene Walraven kicked off the fundraising for that initiative with a wonderful piano recital of show tunes and classical pieces at her home in early November, and an open house fundraiser at her home (3724 NE 36th Avenue) featuring warm, hearty soup and delicious breads is scheduled for Saturday, February 1, 2020, from noon to 8:00 p.m. The fundraisers are a labor of love for Audene, who has been a regular at FoWP meetings since the committee’s inception over a year ago, and she encourages individual residents as well as families to kick off their February at her house, saying, “Meet old friends, greet new neighbors, and bring the kids to participate in fun activities. All donations are earmarked for beautification and upkeep of our park.”
Editor’s note: In addition to its natural beauty and recreational utility, Wilshire Park enhances the environment with its tree canopy. But according to Friends of Trees, Beaumont-Wilshire’s canopy has a lot of room to expand. Former BWNA Board member and current Beaumont-Wilshire Friends of Trees representative Janet Baker urges residents to “make our neighborhood a greener place to live” by signing up now with Friends of Trees (www.friendsoftrees.org) to have trees planted in their parking strips and/or yards on April 4, 2020. This year’s planting goal: 100 trees. Janet is happy to field questions via e-mail (janbak@pacifier.com) or phone (503-288-3441).