Parks & Recreation

City of Gresham News, Community Activities, Workshops & More

Neighborhood Connections is a publication from the City of Gresham Communications & Community Outreach offering City of Gresham news, Public Safety information, Community Activities & Events, Training & Workshops, Volunteer Opportunities, and more.

Inside this Issue

• Filing a Police Report Just Got Easier
• Learn Conflict Styles and Communication – October 20
• Pumpkin Tip
• Fall Leaves 101
• $200 Rain Garden Grants Available
• Neighborhood Safety Forum - November 20
• Volunteer to Watch Wildlife
• A Huge Success: Prescription Drug Turn In Event
• SmartTrips Neighborhood Marketing Campaign Begins
• Last Chance to Comment on Gresham’s Bike System (Take Our Online Survey)
• Experience is the Best Teacher, and You Have a Lifetime’s Worth
• Upcoming Workshop on Negotiation Skills – November 10
• Winter Weather Safety Tips
• Multnomah County RSVP, a Program of Metropolitan Family Service (MFS)

Keep up with what’s Happening in your City!

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Gresham Neighborhoods listing

For more information, visit the Neighborhood Associations page at GreshamOregon.gov or contact Cathy Harrington at 503-618-2482, or email Cathy.Harrington@GreshamOregon.gov.

De La Salle students at the 2010 SOLV event, Nadaka Park Click to enlarge

A beautiful Autumn day for the 2010 SOLV "Beach and Riverside Cleanup" at Nadaka Nature Park

2010 SOLV "Beach and Riverside Cleanup" Event

De La Salle students lend a hand

On Saturday, September 25th the Wilkes East Neighborhood Association held a cleanup with SOLV at Nadaka Nature Park. There were 24 people who participated in the cleanup including a group from De La Salle North Catholic High School (pictured by the sign). We had a total of 66 3/4 volunteer hours to use as a match for our Metro Nature in Neighborhood grant.

The primary focus of the cleanup was to remove the invasive blackberry and ivy from the park. Jazzy Bagel donated delicious bagels and Starbucks (181st & Glisan) donated coffee for the volunteers. SOLV also provided great cloth tote bags for everyone who volunteered.

Volunteers register for 2010 SOLV event at Nadaka Nature Park Click to enlarge

Next cleanup:
Sunday, October 10th 9AM-2PM. Hope to see you there!

See website calendar for more Nadaka Nature Park events and activities!

Nadaka Nature Park Click to enlarge

Nadaka Nature Park Vegetation Management Plan nears completion, disease threatens firs

Protecting a Natual Resource

In 2009 Wilkes East Neighborhood Association (WENA) applied for and received a Metro Parks & Greenspaces Nature in Neighborhoods Capital Grant and a grant from the East Multnomah Soil & Water Conservation District (EMSWCD) to be used towards the purchase of the adjacent 2-acre Nelson Property for use as a public park. Both Metro and EMSWCD had requirements for the master planning of the Nelson property one of which was to do a vegetation management plan.

At the WENA annual meeting in August 2010, Ric Catron, City of Gresham Parks Planner provided information about this Plan for Nadaka Nature Park. Its purpose is a balance of protection of natural areas and future park development, restoration of the site and creating diversity for native wildlife and providing passive recreation.

Western Screech Owl Click to enlarge

News from Nadaka Nature Park Western Screech Owls reintroduced, Dogipot® added, SOLV volunteers pitch-in, and much more!

Back to the Wild

On September 8, 2010 the Audubon Society of Portland released two juvenile Western Screech Owls at the meadow in Nadaka Nature Park. About a dozen people from the neighborhood watched as the two owls took flight. Both owls came into the Portland Audubon’s Wildlife Care Center as fledglings. Unfortunately they had signs of head injury, probably from being hit by cars while learning to fly. After recovering from the initial injuries, the owls were in a flight cage building up strength and learning to hunt. The Audubon Society decided they were ready to be wild once more and agreed to do the release in Nadaka.

Recycle Your Plastic Bags Here

A Dogipot® has been installed near the north entrance to Nadaka Nature Park which contains litter bags to be used for dog waste. This was provided with grant funds from the Metro Nature in Neighborhoods grant. If you are looking for a place to recycle your plastic garbage bags you could take a few and put them in the Dogipot® for others on your next walk thru the park. This will save considerable money purchasing the litter bags.

11 Live Bands, 65+ Vendors, Great Food, Free Health testing

Fun For The Entire Family!

The East Portland Exposition (EPO XPO) is a two day community event that will be held at Ed Benedict Community Park, located along SE Powell Boulevard between 100th Avenue and 102nd Avenue (Get Map!) in East Portland on July 17 and 18, 2010. The gates open at 11AM on Saturday and 10:00AM on Sunday. EPO XPO is co-sponsored by all 13 East Portland Neighborhoods. The event will feature numerous exhibitors, lots of entertainment and food, free health testing, and free activities for children and families.

Click here for EPO XPO flyer and events schedule!

Music, Vendors, Great Food & Movies at Dusk

This year, EPO XPO will be partnering with the City of Portland for the very first Sunday Parkways in East Portland — and EPO XPO will be at the heart of it all! Sunday Parkways is great fun for everyone. So come to EPO XPO on Saturday to visit all the great exhibitors, and enjoy some great food and entertainment. Be sure to stay for the movie that evening (and Sunday too!) starting at dusk. Then, on Sunday, come join the festivities for the single best day of the Summer — East Portland style!

Nelson Neighborhood Park Master Plan Click to enlarge

Public forums, citizen input and design changes complete City Council approves Nelson Neighborhood Park Master Plan

The Gresham City Council approved and adopted the Nelson Property Neighborhood Park Master Plan at the June 1, 2010 City Council meeting.

About Nelson

The Nelson Property is a 2.0-acre parcel located adjacent to and south of the City-owned Nadaka Nature Park, fronting NE Glisan Street at NE 176th. Click here for a vicinity map of the area.

The second Nelson Property Neighborhood Park Master Plan Community Forum was held March 31st. At this forum the Preferred Design Alternative was presented which took into account comments from the Parks & Recreation Advisory Subcommittee, Urban Forestry Subcommittee, January 20 Community Forum, Metro Parks & Greenspaces, East Multnomah Soil & Water Conservation District and City staff.

The Master Plan includes approximately 1/3 of the property to be community gardens and orchard. There will also be picnic tables, a nature-based play area, and public restrooms. A walking loop will connect the Nelson Neighborhood Park with Nadaka Nature Park. (It will be necessary for citizens to obtain addtitional grant monies to develop the Nelson property.) The Nelson Property Summary Report and Community Forum Summary Reports are available on the City's website here.

Background

In 2009 the Wilkes East Neighborhood Association and Friends of Nadaka successfully obtained a Metro Nature in Neighborhoods Capital Grant, a grant from the East Multnomah Soil & Water Conservation District and a donation from the Nelson Family Trust to purchase the 2 arce site for use as a neighborhood park. The Trust For Public Lands negotiated the purchase.

Nelson Neighborhood Park Master Plan Click to enlarge

Public forums, citizen input and design changes complete City Council set to adopt Nelson Neighborhood Park Master Plan

When: Tuesday Jun 1, 2010 6PM
Where: Gresham City Hall
Council Chamber
1333 NW Eastman Pky
Gresham, OR
Get Map!

Council to consider plan

The Gresham City Council will consider for adoption the Nelson Property Neighborhood Park Master Plan at the June 1st, 6PM meeting in the City Council Chamber. There will be a public comment period at the start of the meeting. Comments are limited to 3 minutes. Everyone is encouraged to attend this important meeting and show their support for this project.

About Nelson

The Nelson Property is a 2.0-acre parcel located adjacent to the City-owned Nadaka Nature Park, fronting NE Glisan Street at NE 176th. Click here for a vicinity map of the area.

The second Nelson Property Neighborhood Park Master Plan Community Forum was held March 31st. At this forum the Preferred Design Alternative was presented which took into account comments from the Parks & Recreation Advisory Subcommittee, Urban Forestry Subcommittee, January 20 Community Forum, Metro Parks & Greenspaces, East Multnomah Soil & Water Conservation District and City staff.

The Master Plan includes approximately 1/3 of the property to be community gardens and orchard. There will also be picnic tables, a nature-based play area, and public restrooms. A walking loop will connect the Nelson Neighborhood Park with Nadaka Nature Park. (It will be necessary for citizens to obtain addtitional grant monies to develop the Nelson property.) The Nelson Property Summary Report and Community Forum Summary Reports are available on the City's website here.

Background

In 2009 the Wilkes East Neighborhood Association and Friends of Nadaka successfully obtained a Metro Nature in Neighborhoods Capital Grant, a grant from the East Multnomah Soil & Water Conservation District and a donation from the Nelson Family Trust to purchase the 2 arce site for use as a neighborhood park. The Trust For Public Lands negotiated the purchase.

Join us to remove invasives and find a 'little' treasure! Nadaka clean-up starts at 9AM, CITO Geocache begins at noon

When: Sunday May 16, 2010 9:00AM - 2:00PM
Where: Nadaka Nature Park
17500 NE Pacific St
Gresham, Oregon
Get Map!

Clean-up Event

The Wilkes East Neighborhood Association continues to restore Nadaka's 10 acre natural area. This event will include removing invasive underbrush such as ivy, holly & blackberries. A CITO geocaching event by Nogs & Devil Hunter will be held around Noon. (To participate in the geocaching come prepared to work first.)

Geocache Event

Nogs and Devil Hunter would like invite you to participate in a CITO and nature park restoration at Nadaka Nature Park in Gresham, Sunday May 16th. Clean-up starts at 9:00AM. Geocache begins at 12:00PM with a geocoin raffle! Bring our CITO kit, gloves, water, snacks and or lunch.

CITO -- "Cache In, Trash Out" is an ongoing environmental initiative supported by the worldwide geocaching community. Since 2002, geocachers have been dedicated to cleaning up parks and other cache-friendly places around the world. Through these volunteer efforts, we help preserve the natural beauty of our outdoor resources!

Video: KPTV Fox12 Oregon. Click to view

Earth Day 2010 comes early to Nadaka Nature Park Invasives removed, new trees added to the meadow

Earth Day wasn't until April 22nd, but SOLV volunteers got an early start Saturday April 19th by cleaning up 200 sites throughout Oregon -- including Nadaka Nature Park in West Gresham. Check-out this video.

Did you know there are NO dog parks in Gresham? Join a grassroots effort to create an off-leash area.

Many cities the sizes of Gresham have off-leash dog parks that provide a real convenience and source of enjoyment to dog owners and their pets. These dog parks offer a safe and clean environment by providing an alternative to dog owners who might otherwise let their best friend run loose -- presenting a hazard to their pets and people.

In 2007 the City of Gresham added the only off-leash dog park in the city to Main City Park's master plan, but due to a down economy and budget priorities development remains delayed for the foreseeable future.

Meet Bonnie Mitchell, Gresham resident, dog owner, and community organizer. Bonnie is spearheading an effort in cooperation with Gresham Parks & Recreation to locate funding and grants in an attempt to get thing moving. In addition to funding, Bonnie is also seeking community support and volunteers for this project.

Interested persons are urged to contact Bonnie Mitchell by email at...