Announcement

PMG PHOTO: CHRISTOPHER KEIZUR - Gresham Mayor Travis Stovall celebrated the youths maintaining Nadaka Nature Park during a visit Thursday morning, March 11.

Source: Gresham Outlook, March 16 2021
By Christopher Keizur

Nonprofit Play Grow Learn celebrates youth-oriented efforts at Nadaka Nature Park

When the winter ice storm hit East Multnomah County earlier this year, it wreaked havoc on a popular Rockwood greenspace.

Nadaka Nature Park had been buffeted by rain, sleet, snow and high-winds. Branches fell across the 10-acre property, young trees had been uprooted, pathways destroyed, and the community garden was a mess.

But for the youths who have been working at Nadaka for the past year, the damage was not daunting. Instead they rolled up their sleeves, grabbed their shovels, and got to work.

"This park is beautiful," said 19-year-old Rico Garland. "We all care about it and helping our community."

Twice a week, 20 youths have been working at Nadaka Nature Park, 17615 N.E. Glisan St., through the nonprofit Play Grow Learn. They plant, weed, and clean the park to ensure it remains a safe and fun place for local families to visit.

The Play Grow Learn youths, ages 15-24, all receive a stipend for their work, and are helping fill the gaps in Gresham when it comes to funding and maintaining parks. For those kids, Play Grow Learn led to the first time they had ever visited Nadaka, despite it being in their community.

"They want to work and take ownership of the park," said Germaine Flentroy, program coordinator with Play Grow Learn. "All it takes is one opportunity."

Now, if not for the youths, the state of Nadaka would be in a much more dire place.

"I'm so grateful (they) are helping maintain this park, because the city isn't able to," said Lee Dayfield, the creative force behind Nadaka.

PMG PHOTO: CHRISTOPHER KEIZUR - The youths led Gresham leaders on a tour of everything they have accomplished at Nadaka in the past year.

On Thursday, March 11, those kids were able to showcase their hard work to Gresham Mayor Travis Stovall, who visited Nadaka to learn more about Play Grow Learn's efforts.

The mayor walked along a newly constructed path through the wooded area, toured the gardens where community members are learning to grow their own healthy produce, and admired the dozens of trees that have been planted. He even got a lesson on how to propagate new plants from cuttings.

"What Play Grow Learn is accomplishing here is incredibly important and impressive," Stovall said. "The best part was listening to their passion about planting trees."

The tour was also a chance for the youths to connect with the new leader of their city. Many were excited to meet "someone famous," and used the opportunity to speak with Stovall about what their communities need.

And of course, they were proud to show Stovall all that has been accomplished at Nadaka.

"Do you see that — we planted those trees," Garland said.

Fund-amental problem

For many years it has been the same song, different tune in Gresham — the city does not have the funding to support parks. The problems began two decades ago with a pair of ballot measures passed in Gresham that hamstrung the city's ability to fund greenspaces.

PMG PHOTO: CHRISTOPHER KEIZUR - Mayor Travis Stovall spoke about the need to find funding mechanisms for Greshams parks.

The votes set a permanent property tax that was the second lowest in the state.

In 1990, Gresham's property taxes paid for 100% of police and fire services. Now, those taxes are only able to foot 40% of those expenses. And the lion's share goes to public safety, leaving parks to wither.

"It's about funding mechanisms to get our parks to a new level," Stovall said.

One solution would be to form a parks district, which the city is investigating with a feasibility study. The district would have the power to construct, reconstruct, alter, enlarge, operate and maintain lakes, parks, recreation grounds and buildings; acquire necessary lands; and to call necessary elections after being formed.

But it is difficult to implement, and necessitates city leadership lessening control over greenspaces and a successful public vote. Other solutions include a new parks utility fee; increasing the existing Police-Fire-Parks fee; or vying for an Operations Levy/Bond Measure, which would collect from property taxes.

A group within the community, including Dayfield and other leaders at Nadaka, have also requested participatory budgeting when it comes to parks, which allows for community input in how to spend funds.

"Years ago the city had to cut parks and recreation programs, which was really hard on the community," said Keri Handaly, who works with the Nadaka kids through Gresham's water resources division. "Programs like Play Grow Learn help bring back those needed services."

While there are no easy answers, the work being done by youths at Nadaka highlight a potential future for the city's parks.

"We are doing the stuff that otherwise isn't going to get done, and showing the city what can be accomplished with a shoestring budget," said Anthony Bradley, executive director of Play Grow Learn.

Seeking support

PMG PHOTO: CHRISTOPHER KEIZUR - Play Grow Learn youths are filling in the gaps at Nadaka Nature Park.

Play Grow Learn is thriving at Nadaka thanks to a coalition of partners all coming together. Friends of Nadaka lends guidance and has continued its ambassador program.

Vanessa Chambers and Rhonda Combs continuing oversight at the park, tidying the playground and ensuring the space remains safe and welcome to the many families who visit.

City staff and Friends of Trees visit to provide expertise; Adam Kohl and Outgrowing Hunger operate the community garden and assist in securing grants; East Multnomah Soil & Water Conservation District provides funding; and Metro Regional Government and East County Rising both have backed the nonprofit organization.

The latest partnership is with PGE Project Zero, which will send two interns this summer to help Play Grow Learn at Nadaka.

"The program connects young folks with meaningful employment," Taaj Armstrong, cohort dean for Project Zero's green jobs internship program. "We are so excited to partner with Play Grow Learn."

But everything Play Grow Learn is accomplishing remains on unstable ground.

"This all could be gone tomorrow," Flentroy said. "We are surviving on short-term grants and solutions."

Play Grow Learn requires more support to keep going, and they hope the visit from Mayor Stovall might signal future backing from the city of Gresham. The nonprofit organization needs more stable funding and in-kind support to continue teaching youths skills and keeping them out of dangerous situations.

"I believe the support is out there," Bradley said.

If they can secure it, Play Grow Learn has a bright vision for Gresham. They want similar programs in every East Multnomah County park, with teams of teens caring for greenspaces, learning valuable skills, and finding future employment opportunities.

"We all have to do our part to represent and teach kids of color," Flentroy said.

Support Play Grow Learn
To volunteer or provide donations to Play Grow Learn to back its efforts to teach youths valuable skills, email Anthony Bradley anthonybradleypgl@gmail.com or Germaine Flentroy gflentroypgl@gmail.com.

This story first appeared in The Outlook. Support community newspapers. Subscribe at http://savinglocalnews.com

'Green Gresham, Healthy Gresham' Grant Project

The City of Gresham is partnering with Multnomah County Office of Sustainability and Friends of Trees on a grant from East Multnomah Soil and Water Conservation District (EMSWCD) to get trees surveyed, maintained and planted in the Rockwood, Wilkes East and North Gresham Neighborhoods. From mid- December 2020 to end of February 2021, you may notice a small
crew of three to four members wearing bright fluorescent safety vests, known as the Gresham Tree Team. The 2020 Gresham Tree Team is a group of County staff and interns making the following improvements to your neighborhood:

• Tree planting activities such as digging holes, planting trees, and moving mulch;
• Tree surveying and measuring in the public right of way to gather data on the tree type, size, and health; and
• Tree maintenance in the public right of way along arterial and neighborhood streets.

Gresham Tree Team
From 2018 – 2020 this team has:

• Inventoried 1300 trees
• Planted over 300 street and yard trees
• Recruited 80 homeowners to plant yard trees

This EMSWCD Green Gresham, Healthy Gresham grant project will improve your neighborhood with information on where to plant more trees along with newly planted trees that will help:

• Cool the urban environment during our hot summers
• Provide windbreaks and help conserve energy during our cold winters
• Improve the walking environment and air quality along busy West Gresham streets
• Reduce water pollution flowing into local streams and waterways

Work will be performed Tuesday through Saturday (9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.)

More Info
If you have any questions or would like to learn more, please contact Tina.Osterink@GreshamOregon.gov or call directly at 503.618-2392.

Seeking Volunteers When: Thu, Jan 07, 2021 via Zoom Time: 2:00PM-3:30PM & 6:00PM-7:30PM Where: Via Zoom

Gresham residents may participate in our COVID-safe bird survey this winter to help the City collect information about local bird populations and habitat needs. The City is offering free online training to all interested volunteers. Experience is not required, and training is open to all ages. Families are encouraged to join in.

The bird survey training will include:

• How to identify birds.
• How to use a bird survey application that will allow you to upload your findings to an international bird database.

A smartphone or computer is required. All other materials will be provided.

Two trainings are available via Zoom:

• Thursday Jan. 7, from 2:00 to 3:30 pm
• Thursday Jan. 7, from 6:00 to 7:30 pm

RSVP to receive the training invitation.

For more information, contact Marissa.Eckman@GreshamOregon.gov

Learn more about the City's bird surveys.

Neighborhood Board Meeting When: Mon Jan 11, 2021 6:30PM-8:00PM Online meeting via Zoom Contact for details.

Board meetings are now scheduled for the 2nd Monday each month 6:30PM
For more information please contact: info@wilkeseastna.org

Upcoming Meetings

• Feb 08, 2021
• Mar 08, 2021 *
• Apr 12, 2021
• May 10, 2021
• Jun 14, 2021

  * Public Meeting

Wilkes East Neighborhood
17104 NE Oregon St
Portland OR 97230

Get involved, Make a difference When: Mon, Jan 11, 2021 6:30PM-8:30PM Where: Online meeting via Zoom

In order to protect public health, safety, and welfare during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Gresham Planning Commission will meet remotely at 6:30 pm on Monday, Jan. 11, via Zoom.

How to attend the meeting

• Join the meeting online
  • Passcode: WPMAPC1
• Dial-in Option
  • 408-638-0968
  • 952 87767222# 4207247#

How to provide testimony

Citizens wishing to provide oral comment during this Planning Commission meeting must register by sending their name, email address, phone number, and the subject matter to Jennifer McGinnis at Jennifer.McGinnis@GreshamOregon.gov at least 24 hours before the meeting. Written comments, including photo or other evidence, must be submitted at least 24 hours before the meeting. Persons who desire to provide comments and are unable to provide written comments in advance or are otherwise unable to access the meeting via Zoom are encouraged to contact Jennifer McGinnis as soon as possible, but at least 24 hours in advance of the meeting, so that the City can provide alternate arrangements.

If you experience technical difficulties accessing the meeting at the time of the meeting, please notify Amanda Lunsford at Amanda.Lunsford@GreshamOregon.gov. The meeting agenda may be accessed via the Planning Commission page.

The Planning Commission advises the City Council on long-range, comprehensive planning and land use issues within Gresham.

Get Involved, Make a Difference When: Mon, Jan 11, 2021 5:35PM-7:30PM Where: Online meeting via Zoom Get Map!

How to join the meeting

Online

• Join the meeting here (passcode: N2MaT0)
• iPhone one-tap: 1-253-215-8782 (passcode: 550653#)

By phone

• Call 1-253-215-8782
  • Webinar ID: 925 3875 0775
  • Passcode: 550653
• International numbers available

City Council has selected three finalists for the City Manager recruitment, out of an initial applicant pool of 64.

Read more about the candidates.

While ultimately, City Council will make the final hiring decision, they are soliciting input from the community during this final phase. Please save the date for an online community forum hosted by Mayor Travis Stovall. Each candidate will have thirty minutes to answer questions.

To date, these three candidates have participated in individual interviews with the City.s executive recruiter as well as semi-finalist interviews with the current and elected Mayor and Council. Standard background and reference checks will also be conducted during this process.

The forum will not allow for live questions from the audience. However, if you have a question you.d like to ask the three finalists, please submit for consideration by noon, Friday, Jan. 8 to Communications@GreshamOregon.gov. Given limited time with each candidate, not every question may be asked.

After the forum, attendees will have the opportunity to provide feedback about the candidates through an online survey. Feedback will be shared with Council for their consideration as they make their next decision.

Interpretation will be provided upon advance request. Please notify Alex Logue at Alex.Logue@GreshamOregon.gov or 503-618-3214 by noon, Thursday, Jan. 7.

Public Welcome. Get Involved! When: Tue, Jan 12, 2021 7PM-8:45PM Where: Online meeting via Zoom

Please note, this is a Zoom meeting. For additional information about this meeting or how to attend via Zoom, please visit the Coalition webpage, and view the agenda.

For more information about the Coalition of Gresham Neighborhood Associations, contact Carol Rulla, Coalition President, at 503-663-1466 or crullaor@gmail.com.

Get involved, Make a difference When: Wed, Jan 13, 2021 5:30PM-8:30PM Where: Online meeting via Zoom

The regional SAFER Council consisting of city representatives from Gresham, Fairview, Wood Village, Troutdale and a Multnomah Rural Protection District 10 board member will be meeting via Zoom on Jan. 13 at 5:30 pm.

The SAFER Council (Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Responses) was created with regard to fire service in East County.

Meeting agenda

The goals of the SAFER Council:

• Determine the emergency response level for our regional service area.
• Perform a needs assessment required to meet service level expectations.
• Establish a SAFER proposal and alternate proposal to be presented for consideration by each City Council and district board.

How to watch:

• Join Zoom meeting online
  • Meeting ID: 973 9678 8321
  • Passcode: SAFER1
• One tap mobile: 1-253-215-8782,,97396788321#,,,,,,0#,,422769#
• Join by phone: 1-253-215-8782
  • Meeting ID: 973 9678 8321
  • Passcode: 422769

For more information about this meeting, contact Randi Deverell at 503-618-2853 or Randi.Deverell@GreshamOregon.gov.

When: Wed, Jan 13, 2021 6PM-8PM Where: Online meeting via Zoom Get Map!

In order to protect public health, safety, and welfare during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Gresham Historic Resources Subcommittee will meet remotely at 6:00 pm on Jan. 13, via Zoom.

Instructions to participate

People who wish to speak during the meeting, provide written comments, are unable to access the meeting remotely, or are otherwise unable to participate in the meeting, should notify staff 24 hours in advance of the meeting for instructions and assistance. This allows the City time to provide alternate arrangements, if needed.

Please contact Mary Phillips at Mary.Phillips@GreshamOregon.gov or 503-618-2610 for participation instructions or more information about the meeting.

The Historic Resources Subcommittee maintains an inventory of historic landmarks in Gresham, reviews and recommends a decision on proposed actions to alter or demolish structures on the adopted inventory, and participates in special projects and events that increase public awareness or provide education on historic preservation.

Free Workshop When: Thu, Jan 14, 2021 9AM-10:10AMbr /> Where: Online meeting via Zoom

The City of Gresham and Multnomah County will hold an application workshop for subrecipients seeking Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and Home Investment Partnerships (HOME) grant funding for potential housing and community development projects in fiscal year 2021-2022.

The workshop will be held remotely via Zoom:

• Meeting link: https://tinyurl.com/21AppWorkshop
• Phone access: 253-215-8782
• Meeting ID: 962 5996 0149
• Passcode: 418920

Workshop topics will include a program overview, information about eligible projects, estimated availability of funds, and the application and selection process for subrecipients.

Translation services and sign language interpretation are available with 48-hour notice. For more information please contact May Cha with Multnomah County at 503-988-2469 or May.P.Cha@multco.us or Rachel Nehse with the City of Gresham at 503-618-2818 or Rachel.Nehse@GreshamOregon.gov.