West Gresham

Summer Meeting Notice When: Mon Aug 11, 2025 7PM-9PM Where: Moose Lodge 16411 NE Halsey St Get Map!

Everyone's Invited

Join Your Neighbors. Get involved. Make a difference!

Save the date
Be sure to save Monday Aug 11th at 7PM for the Wilkes East Neighborhood 2025 Summer Meeting being held at the Moose Lodge, 16411 NE Halsey St

Agenda

Download the Summer 2025 meeting agenda here!

• Jan Hann
  President Gresham Outdoor Public Art
  Sliders Return to Nadaka
• Janet Unruh
  Secretary, Wilkes East Neighborhood
  Trump’s “One Big Beautiful Bill”
  and Impact on Gresham
• Neighborhood news and more!

Download the Spring 2024 meeting minutes here!

Who should attend?
Participation is open to all residents who live, own property or a business, organization, church or government agency within our boundaries

Be Part Of Your Community. Plan To Attend.

Watch for these red & white Meeting Signs the week before our meeting. The signs were purchased with assistance of the City of Gresham Neighborhood Grant Program, and with volunteer hours to set them out and retrieve them. Signs Now NW also made a generous contribution to this project.

Mark your calendar. See you there!

Questions or comments?
Contact Wilkes East Neighborhood by email at info@wilkeseastna.org

Neighborhood Cleanup Event (Click to enlarge)

Wilkes East Neighborhood Cleanup Event May 10, 2025

By Greg Hartung, WENA Board Member

Wilkes East Neighborhood Cleanup event was held on May 10th 2025 at the Moose Lodge. The day marked the much-anticipated neighborhood cleanup, an event that—thanks to the collective effort of residents, local organizations, and Metro officials—would become a resounding success, leaving a lasting impact on our community’s environment and spirit.

Every great accomplishment is rooted in thoughtful preparation, and this year’s cleanup was no exception. Planning began months in advance. Flyers were hand delivered to residents, newsletters detailed the event’s objectives: to have a place to bring bulky waste that normally would not have been able to place in a garbage can. The event was free to all to help all residents clear their yards, homes, and garages of no longer needed trash. Donations were collected to help offset the expenses.

The planning committee—comprised of residents young and old, representatives from the neighborhood association, Moose Lodge, Metro, and Waste Management. Metro provided grant money for the dumpsters. The Moose Lodge provided the location and refreshments.

More than 5 tons of bulky waste were collected. Additionally, another 4 tons of scrap metal was diverted to local recyclers.

One of the defining features of the cleanup was the diverse collaboration it fostered. Residents who had rarely exchanged more than a passing wave now worked side by side, sharing stories and laughter as they tackled shared tasks. Yet the true impact of the cleanup reached beyond the day’s visible results. Neighbors, once strangers, now felt a sense of camaraderie forged in shared effort. Throughout the day, conversations among participants revealed a deepened appreciation for both the neighborhood and those who call it home. One resident, originally hesitant to join, was inspired by the sight of so many coming together.

Plans are already underway for next year’s cleanup, with organizers eager to build on this year’s momentum. Suggestions have poured in. If you would like to donate your time and energy for next years plans, you can drop us a line at info@wilkeseastna.org. We welcome ideas and volunteers.

The legacy of this year’s cleanup will live on, not just in the tidy streets and blooming gardens, but in the friendships, goodwill, and renewed sense of belonging it inspired.

Event Photos

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by Greg Hartung, WENA Land Use

Hello members of our Wilkes East Neighborhood Association.

The Wilkes East Neighborhood Association board regularly receives land use plans from the City of Gresham to notify us of land use projects within or proximity to the Wilkes East neighborhood boundaries.

DR-24-00679 Location: Pape Properties 17217 NE Sandy Blvd. Ditch Witch Outdoor Storage and lot line adjustment. The proposal involves the additional 49,000 square feet of outside graveled storage yard to be used by Ditch Witch for outdoor storage of equipment and a separate lot to the east for future development. No new buildings are proposed at this time.

PRE-25-00061 Location: 17905 NE Glisan St. This is a pre-application for consideration of food cart pod for 18 carts, 40 x 80 indoor seating area: retaining the existing house. Narrative: “The lot contains approximately 0.63 acres and is relatively flat with an elevation of approximately 251 feet near the south line adjacent to NE Glisan Street. The owner wants to develop the site with 18 food carts and a 3200 square foot covered dining area in the center as shown on the Preliminary Site Plan included. The project also includes 9 parking spaces within a parking lot, the required utilities, including stormwater management, will be part of the project. The driveway accesses to NE Glisan Street and is 20 feet wide”.

For these and other public records, you can visit this web link: https://greshamor-energovweb.tylerhost.net

You do not need to create or register an account with online services to access project files. To search for project files and public records:

• Click on the search icon.
• n the screen that loads, type in the Plan case number in the search field and click on the search button.
• The page will reload with the results of the search, including highlighted direct links to cases.
• Click on the highlighted link for the Plan case.
• In the page that loads, click on the Attachments tab to view project files.

You can also view detailed instructions on how to search for public records. Website: https://greshamoregon.gov/workarea/DownloadAsset.aspx?id=13448

If you have any questions about accessing the files online or any projects, please contact PlanningTech@GreshamOregon.gov

Are You Prepared?

In Gresham, creating defensible space around your property is crucial for wildfire preparedness. Defensible space is a buffer zone around your home, typically extending 5-30 feet or more, where you manage vegetation to slow or halt the progress of fire that would otherwise engulf your property. This involves clearing flammable materials, pruning trees and shrubs, and maintaining a safe distance between plants.

Key Actions for Defensible Space:

Around the Home (0-5 feet):
Focus on creating a non-combustible zone by removing dead leaves, needles, and other debris from roofs, gutters, and eaves. Replace mulch with gravel or bare soil near the foundation.

Within 30 feet:
Prune trees, removing lower branches to prevent fire from climbing into the canopy. Ensure trees are spaced appropriately to prevent fire from spreading between them.

General Maintenance:
Regularly clear gutters, prune trees, and remove dead vegetation. Store firewood and other flammable materials at least 30 feet away from structures.
Trim branches that overhang the home, porch, and deck. Prune branches of large trees up to 6 to 10 feet from the ground.

Choose fire-resistant plants:
When landscaping, opt for native, fire-resistant species that are less likely to ignite.

Irrigation:
Keep areas near structures irrigated and moist, especially during dry periods.

Maintain Lawns:
Keep lawns mowed to a height of six inches or less.

Non-Combustible Materials:
In the immediate zone, using non-combustible materials like gravel, pavers, or concrete for landscaping can significantly reduce fire risk.

By taking these steps, you can significantly reduce the risk of your home igniting during a wildfire and improve the chances of firefighters safely defending your property.

Don't Let Old Paint Cans Get In Your Way - Recycle At These Locations!

Recycling old paint offers several benefits, including resource conservation, landfill space reduction, and potential reuse for others. It helps prevent environmental pollution from toxic chemicals and reduces the need for new paint production, saving energy and resources.

For residents of Wilkes East, the primary locations for dropping off unwanted paint for recycling is:

• Habitat for Humanity ReStore
  610 NE 181st Ave
  (503) 575-7336
• Sherwin-Williams
  18179 NE Halsey St
  (503) 666-1258

Quantity accepted varies between 20-25 gallons per visit. Both sites accept latex and oil-based house paint, stains and varnish in containers up to 5 gallons in size.

They do not accept aerosols (spray paint or other spray products), containers without original labels, or containers that are leaking or empty. Contact store for details.

For more paint recycling info visit PaintCare at https://www.paintcare.org/drop-off-sites/

Did You Know? You can toss opened and fully dry paint cans in your weekly trash.

Neighborhood Board Meeting Zoom Online Meeting When: Mon May 12, 2025 6:30PM-8:00PM Join Zoom Meeting https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81396104837?pwd=XKRqLX0OOYDA1yN0dU6HwSM6IUbLFC.1 Meeting ID: 813 9610 4837 Passcode: 262967 Find your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kbcIIKhFJv

Download meeting minutes here.

Board meetings are scheduled for the 2nd Monday each month 6:30PM via Zoom

For more information please contact: info@wilkeseastna.org

Upcoming Meetings

* General Meeting. Everyone's invited. Please attend.

Wilkes East Neighborhood
17104 NE Oregon St
Portland OR 97230

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.

Neighborhood Board Meeting Zoom Online Meeting When: Mon Feb 10, 2025 6:30PM-8:00PM Join Zoom Meeting https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88498344381?pwd=h93BRY1rgbOAyU4LnyA051zd3p2udX.1 Meeting ID: 884 9834 4381 Passcode: 488070 Find your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kc2nTPucWZ

Download meeting minutes here.

Board meetings are scheduled for the 2nd Monday each month 6:30PM via Zoom

For more information please contact: info@wilkeseastna.org

Upcoming Meetings

* General Meeting. Everyone's invited. Please attend.

Wilkes East Neighborhood
17104 NE Oregon St
Portland OR 97230

Neighborhood Board Meeting Zoom Online Meeting When: Mon Jan 13, 2025 6:30PM-8:00PM Join Zoom Meeting https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89228605543?pwd=iBm4ZfpMBuJzOIwrYhXXo9sFsbqIn9.1 Meeting ID: 892 2860 5543 Passcode: 959536 Find your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kc2nTPucWZ

Board meetings are scheduled for the 2nd Monday each month 6:30PM via Zoom

For more information please contact: info@wilkeseastna.org

Upcoming Meetings

* General Meeting. Everyone's invited. Please attend.

Wilkes East Neighborhood
17104 NE Oregon St
Portland OR 97230

Fall Meeting Notice When: Mon Nov 18, 2024 7PM-9PM Where: Moose Lodge 16411 NE Halsey St Get Map!

Everyone's Invited

Join Your Neighbors. Get involved. Make a difference!

Save the date
Be sure to save Monday Nov 18th at 7PM for the Wilkes East Neighborhood 2024 Fall Meeting being held at the Moose Lodge, 16411 NE Halsey St

Agenda

• WENA Board Elections
• Cook Plaza Homeless Center
• Habitat for Humanity
• Spring Cleanup Volunteers Needed
• Neighborhood news and more!

Download the Summer 2024 meeting minutes here!

Download the Fall 2024 meeting agenda here!

Who should attend?
Participation is open to all residents who live, own property or a business, organization, church or government agency within our boundaries

Be Part Of Your Community. Plan To Attend.

Watch for these red & white Meeting Signs the week before our meeting. The signs were purchased with assistance of the City of Gresham Neighborhood Grant Program, and with volunteer hours to set them out and retrieve them. Signs Now NW also made a generous contribution to this project.

Mark your calendar. See you there!

Questions or comments?
Contact Wilkes East Neighborhood by email at info@wilkeseastna.org, or by postal mail to: Wilkes East Neighborhood, 17104 NE Oregon St, Portland Oregon 97230