If one follows the activities of the Friends of Wilshire Park (FoWP), it’s obvious its team members let no moss grow under their feet. Most recently, to meet dog owner desires, this BWNA committee successfully raised $17,000 toward the $22,000 needed to bring drinking water for dogs to the park. The additional dollars needed to install a spigot fountain in the dog off-leash area will be covered through the support of Portland Commissioner Carmen Rubio. “I, and Portland Parks & Recreation, are committed to moving this project forward,” Rubio said.
“Commissioner Rubio got us to the finish line,” said Gary Hancock, FoWP committee chair. “She closed the gap for this project in the dog off-leash area, and we greatly appreciate it.”
Neighborhood pooches should be able to quench their canine thirst at the designated water spigot by late 2023.
Many Participated in Reaching Goal
In addition to the many people who donated to the cause, local businesses helped, too. While not an exhaustive list, businesses that donated funds or supplies toward the fundraising goal include Green Dog Pet Supply, Wild Pet Provisions, Pets on Broadway, Blackbird Wine Shop, Coco Donuts, Tacovore, Steeplejack Brewing Co., Pig Sauce BBQ, Tomorrow’s Verse, and McPeet’s.
In late October last year, Pip’s Original Doughnuts pulled up to the park in a mobile van to help the dogs of Wilshire Park and their donors celebrate the success of the fundraiser.
“A big thanks to Pip’s, the other businesses, and all who donated to this community project,” Gary said.
He was also quick to give kudos to a couple of key FoWP volunteers.
“Beaumont-Wilshire residents Mary Roney and Kelly Thompson did the leg work to communicate with City of Portland, set up QR codes, volunteer at Fremont Fest, design posters, and more.”
What About the Human Drinking Fountain?
FoWP’s Mary Roney says Portland Parks & Recreation (PP&R) recognizes the need to repair or replace the blue water fountain near the Wilshire Park pavilion. “There’s a long list of fountains in need of repair in the parks system,” she said. “PP&R plumbing staff will repair the Wilshire Park drinking fountain as resources and priorities allow.”
What Else has FoWP Accomplished?
Since FoWP’s inception in 2018, in addition to the dog water feature, FoWP has successfully tackled other community-desired projects:
- With required PP&R approval, FoWP raised funds for the purchase and installation of toddler area improvements, including the playhouse and play car.
- With PP&R approval and the support of then-City Commissioner Amanda Fritz, who toured Wilshire Park with FoWP representatives and put things on a fast-track, the toddler area play structure was upgraded.
- An environmentally dead area of the park was replanted by volunteers with PP&R-provided native plants, and a bird fountain was added. This is now the beautiful Wilshire Park NatureSpace for all to enjoy.
- FoWP volunteers planted PP&R-provided plants along the outer rim of the park. Volunteers water the plants throughout the summers.
What’s Next?
Committee members aren’t resting on their laurels (or any other plants!). While group members have a few ideas, they’re seeking community input before embarking on the next project. Some ideas include:
- Updating the wooden play structures for older kids;
- Transitioning a former wading pool into a splash pad; and
- Fencing the off-leash dog park area.
To register your ideas, join FoWP meetings at 7 p.m. on the second Wednesday of each month. Request a Zoom link to the meetings either by emailing FriendsofWilshirePark@gmail.com or complete a survey via the QR code on the printed newsletter. For more information visit FriendsofWilshirePark.org.