City of Gresham

By Janet Unruh WENA Board Member Good news— Slider, the otter has returned to Nadaka Nature Park. Slider is a beautiful, life-size bronze sculpture of a standing otter, the twin of the original,that was stolen. As luck would have it, sculptor Rip Caswell (https://caswellsculpture.com/) had created two otter sculptures, almost identical in size.

Judy Han, director of Gresham Outdoor Public Art, was instrumental in convincing the City of Gresham to replace the otter sculpture in Nadaka Park. There was a suggestion to place the otter in another park, but Judy prevailed. Thanks to Judy Han and the City of Gresham for restoring Slider to Nadaka Park.

For a complete list and downloadable map of all outdoor public art in the City of Gresham please visit https://www.greshamoutdoorpublicart.com/

Gresham City Councilor, David Widmark, GOPA Board member Joan Albertson, and artist Rip Caswell unveil Slider in 2017. Click to enlarge

By Charlotte Becker Gresham Outdoor Public Art About eight years ago, Joan Albertson, a member of Gresham Outdoor Public Art’s (GOPA) board, brought the idea of art in Nadaka Nature Park to the board. GOPA is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization with an all volunteer board. The group’s goal is to commission and install permanent art in Gresham’s public spaces. Most of the permanent art, up until 2016, was in and around Historic Downtown, so Joan’s idea got wings…as well as fur and a tail.

But first, a group from GOPA, along with Wilkes neighborhood champion Lee Dayfield, met at Nadaka to see what might be a good fit for the park. A path of rocks resembling a meandering stream bed seemed like home for some kind of water-loving creature. And a nearby towering timber could be the perfect perch for a squawking bird. Board member, David Baumann, said he had something at home that the group might like.

A few days later, the group got together again at Nadaka to see David wheeling in a bronze otter on a hand truck! It was created by Troutdale artist Rip Caswell, and it was perfect. Then the project really got off the ground, when we met with Rip and his son, Chad, who agreed to create a life-sized Raven to perch atop the timber.

The otter and the raven were installed in the park in 2017 with help from the City of Gresham. Neighborhood families came to see the unveiling, and children entered a contest to name the creatures. That’s how the otter became “Slider” and the raven became “Seeker”. Nadaka was to be their permanent home.

Until 2024, when Slider disappeared. It seemed someone needed him more than the neighborhood did. The word went out with the hope that Slider would be returned, but not even Seeker could find him. Not giving up, GOPA President, Judy Han, met with a representative from the City to discuss how to replace Slider. Rip Caswell told GOPA he had created an additional otter, the last of his kind, and would offer it to GOPA at cost. Once again, the pieces came together to bring Slider back to Nadaka.

GOPA and the City of Gresham plan to return Slider to his meandering stream in June, 2025. We’ll provide more information on the date as it is known. Visit Gresham Outdoor Public Art’s website, www.greshamoutdoorpublicart.com, to learn more about GOPA, the project at Nadaka and other projects in Gresham.

Hello Gresham neighbors, I’m Emon Ghassemi, and I’m honored to serve as the Youth Services and Recreation Manager for the City of Gresham. Since joining the city in 2022, I’ve been dedicated to creating meaningful opportunities for young people and families in our community. As I approach my third year in this role, I continue to be inspired by the resilience, energy, and potential of Gresham’s youth.

At the heart of my work is a commitment to expanding youth services, increasing access to recreation, and strengthening violence prevention efforts. One of my top priorities has been the East Multnomah Outreach Prevention Intervention (EMOPI) program, which we launched to address youth violence, provide intervention and mentorship, and connect young people with the resources they need to succeed. Through EMOPI, we’ve partnered with 18 community-based organizations to provide outreach, case management, and positive youth engagement throughout Gresham and East Multnomah County. This work is critical to ensuring that young people facing challenges have support systems in place rather than being pushed further into harm's way.

Our approach is holistic, data-driven, and deeply rooted in community collaboration. We’ve built partnerships with schools, law enforcement, behavioral health providers, and grassroots organizations to ensure that intervention efforts are preventative rather than reactive. Our goal is to interrupt cycles of violence, provide alternatives to exclusionary discipline, and create more opportunities for youth to succeed in school, work, and life. Through these efforts, we’re not only making an impact on individual lives but also strengthening the entire community by fostering safer neighborhoods, more engagement in positive activities, and greater investment in our city’s future generations.

In addition to our violence prevention efforts, I’ve been focused on revitalizing Gresham’s recreation programs to make sure families have access to safe, fun, and enriching activities. Whether it's summer camps, after-school programs, sports leagues, or citywide events, my goal is to create spaces where all young people feel included, supported, and encouraged to thrive. Recreation plays a crucial role in building connections, improving mental and physical well-being, and keeping youth engaged in positive experiences. My vision is to expand these programs so that every young person in Gresham has access to activities that inspire them and help them grow.

This March, I have the privilege of chaperoning four outstanding young leaders from Gresham to Washington, D.C. for the National League of Cities’ Congressional City Conference. Three of these youths represent the Reynolds School District. This experience will allow them to engage with elected officials, learn about public policy, and connect with youth leaders from across the country. As someone who believes deeply in the power of mentorship and civic engagement, I’m incredibly proud to support these young people as they represent Gresham on a national stage. These kinds of opportunities not only shape young minds but also empower them to become future leaders, advocates, and changemakers in their own communities.

A little about me. I was born in 1982 in Tehran, Iran, during the Iran-Iraq War, a time of great uncertainty and hardship for many families. My parents made the difficult decision to leave Iran when I was just over four years old because they wanted a better life for me and my sister, free from war and instability. We arrived in the United States and eventually made Oregon our home, where we worked hard to build a new life. Growing up as an immigrant, I experienced firsthand the challenges of adapting to a new culture, learning a new language, and trying to fit in while holding onto our heritage. Despite these challenges, I’ve always been grateful for the opportunities this country and this state have provided me.

I earned my B.A. in International Studies from Portland State University, where I developed a passion for understanding global issues, cultural dynamics, and social change. I later pursued my M.A. in Peace & Conflict Studies, which deepened my commitment to youth development, violence prevention, and creating pathways for young people to succeed. My education and life experiences have shaped my belief that every young person, regardless of their background or circumstances, deserves opportunities to thrive, learn, and contribute to their community.

Gresham has always felt like a special place to me. This city is full of passionate, hardworking people who care about their neighbors and are committed to making Gresham a great place to live. Whether I’m working with community-based organizations, collaborating with school districts, or organizing events for local families, I see firsthand the power of connection, mentorship, and community-driven solutions. I believe that when we invest in our youth, we invest in a stronger, safer, and more vibrant future for everyone. I’m proud of the work we’ve done through EMOPI, recreation, and youth outreach, and I’m excited about the opportunities ahead to expand and strengthen these efforts.

Looking forward, my focus will remain on growing these programs, deepening partnerships, and advocating for the resources our youth and families need. I welcome anyone who wants to get involved, whether you’re a parent, mentor, or community leader, because real change happens when we work together.

Thank you for letting me be a part of this incredible community. I look forward to continuing this work and seeing the positive impact we can create together!

Best,
Emon Ghassemi