On a characteristically drab and wet February evening, BWNA’s Friends of Wilshire Park (FoWP) committee kicked off its final fundraising push for the children’s play area at Wilshire Park with an open house at FoWP member Audene Walraven’s home. Audene graciously welcomed contributors, providing delicious homemade soups complemented by donated bread from Grand Central Bakery. Neighbors stopped by to chat, learn about FoWP activities, and write checks—the event generating over $600 toward the purchase of a new playhouse for the children’s play area.
A new off-road vehicle play structure installed last year was paid for entirely by community donations. Several thousand additional dollars are needed to purchase a new playhouse, which replaces the former playhouse that was removed months ago by Portland Parks & Recreation (PP&R) for the safety of the children. With no PP&R funding allotted for a replacement, FoWP requested and was granted permission to fundraise the $15,000 needed to purchase the playhouse, with PP&R (hopefully) covering the cost of installation, as was the case with the off-road vehicle play structure. Now in the homestretch of its fundraising efforts, FoWP is over half way to the fundraising goal. Like the car climber, the new playhouse will be made in the U.S. of durable materials that will last well into the next generation.
Attached to this issue of the BWNA newsletter is an envelope that will transport donations directly to the FoWP fund at Central Northeast Neighbors (CNN), BWNA’s neighborhood coalition organization. Donations can also be made online at friendsofwilshirepark.org/donate. Thanks to CNN, which has nonprofit status, every donation is tax deductible. If you’ve already donated, thank you! If you have, pass the envelope along to someone who hasn’t.
FoWP is looking ahead to warmer months when there will be more opportunities for outdoor events in the park. As an example, on Sunday, April 5, at 1:00 p.m., FoWP hosts Willow Elliot, president of the Portland Chapter of the Oregon Native Plant Society. Willow will give a talk on the ecological role of the plants in the Wilshire Park NatureSpace (just west of the pavilion) as well as teach park visitors how to identify them. This free event is open to all.
For the latest information about FoWP events, volunteer opportunities, and group meetings, visit www.friendsofwilshirepark.org.