Nature

1. Place your order online at www.sparrowhawknativeplants.com, between Sept 1 -16. Shop from a diverse selection of 80+ species of native plants from the comfort of your home.
2. Pick-up pre-ordered plants at Gresham City Hall on Sat, Oct 3. All pick-ups will be physically-distanced & outdoor.
3. Plant you plants. Double your impact. Sink your hands in the dirt - and feel great knowing that your new native plants enhance the habitat in your backyard, while a portion of the proceeds from your purchase supports Friends of Nadaka

2020 Summer Newsletter "Diversity, Harmony, Community - Together 'WE' can make a difference!”

Read it now!

Summer 2020 Newsletter Inside This Issue: An Inclusive Neighborhood Columbia View Park Concept Nature-Deficit Disorder Coping During the Pandemic Importance of Our Parks Albertina Kerr Housing Update

Download your copy here. (includes active web links)

Newsletters are a regular publication of the Wilkes East Neighborhood Association. They are hand-delivered to over 1,500 residences and businesses in our area 3 times per year, timed to correspond with our regular meetings.

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Tina Osterink, City of Gresham
Natural Resource Planner

In the spring of 2019, the City of Gresham began a process initiated by the City Council to identify potential recreation improvements for six undeveloped parks throughout the city. The parks identified for future improvements were two community parks and four neighborhood parks, including Columbia View Neighborhood Park.

This exploration of future improvements was initiated by the city to understand community desires for each park, capital costs for potential improvements, and maintenance needs if developed. Community feedback will help prioritize which park improvements will be implemented as funding becomes available.

Staff and a consultant team conducted on-site meetings, surveys and an open house throughout 2019. Community feedback was used to develop high level concept plans for all six undeveloped parks. The plans include a range of design and facility options for each park, including Columbia View Neighborhood Park.

Based on analysis of Columbia View’s unique existing conditions and feedback during public engagement meetings, the following concept plan was developed.

Columbia View Park's Concept Plan

Community feedback throughout 2019 noted opportunities for the park may include play structures for kids, designated off-leash dog areas, improved accessibility for all ages and abilities, education displays, and picnic areas. Constraints include maintenance, safety concerns, a lack of trash receptacles, and concerns with attracting too many people to neighborhood park. Additional feedback from nearby neighbors during a virtual meeting held in June 2020 is as follows:

• Keep this neighborhood park in a natural state with limited upgrades.
• Supportive of trails to improve access and a community garden but wanted staff to consider either eliminating the shelter and courts or at least move those items towards the school.
• Consider natural long-lasting materials for an ADA perimeter path around the park.
• Dog park located under chestnut trees hurt dog paws and in what is now informally known as “the fetch it zone”.
• Some would prefer an off-leash area vs. fenced dog leash area.
• Consider placing amenities closer to H.B. Lee Middle School but engage the school first.
• Concern with picnic shelter location on upslope portion of park that interferes with backyard privacy and could contribute to real or perceived safety concerns.
• Lack of police access into the SE portion of the park near potential amenity placement.
• Further explore feasibility of providing secondary access off NE Pacific St.

During the June 2020 meeting, staff stressed the importance of balancing input from nearby neighbors with meeting the equity, opportunity and access needs for community members who live within the quarter-mile walking and biking service area.

Next steps in the outreach process include meeting with Community Based Organizations to gain their input on the concept plan for Columbia View Neighborhood Park, online review of the concept plan report from July 13 – August 31 and then convene on August 10 at the Wilkes East Neighborhood Association Meeting (online via Zoom).

Additional information can be found at the Parks Planning website and you can reach out to Tina Osterink at Tina.Osterink@GreshamOregon.Gov or by phone at (503) 618-2392.

Project website where the concept plans and draft report can be viewed: https://greshamoregon.gov/Parks-Planning/

Grab Your Gloves! When: Sat, Mar 07, 2020 8:45AM-12PM Where: Two locations in Gresham Get Map!

• Plant, weed and mulch with us
• Snacks, tools and lunch provided
• Family-friendly event

Johnson Creek is urban, but it is home to a variety of wildlife, including threatened and endangered salmon. We will be working at ten locations along the 26-mile watershed in an effort to revitalize and protect this unique waterway. Find the location nearest you, come out and get your hands dirty, and enjoy a free lunch with us.

Gresham locations

• Main City Park
• SW 7th Street and SW Eastman Parkway

For more information about this event, contact Courtney Beckel at courtney@jcwc.org or 503-652-7477, ext. 101.

Register to volunteer.

Restoring Our Habitat When: Sat, Feb 01, 2020 12PM-2PM Where: Kelly Creek Pond at the corner of SE Eagle Lane and SE Woodland Way Get Map!

The City's Natural Resources Program is hosting an amphibian egg mass survey as a part of a regional effort to track the Pacific chorus frog, northwestern salamander, long-toed salamander and northern red-legged frog.

Join us for Part 2 of the volunteer amphibian survey training. This outdoor training teaches:

• How to identify an egg mass
• Survey techniques
• Field methods

Gear will be provided. Wear weather-appropriate clothing.

An outdoor training is mandatory for anyone that wants to participate in surveys. If this date does not work for you, contact Marissa Eckman at Marissa.Eckman@GreshamOregon.gov

RSVP today

Read more about the amphibian surveys project

Let's Go Walking! When: Thu, Jan 09, 2020 9AM-5PM Where: Meet at Gresham City Hall 1333 NW Eastman Pky Get Map!

Springwater Trail Hike from Boring to Rugg Road

• Distance: Approximately 5 miles
• Difficulty: Easy
• Elevation gain: 100 feet
• Trail conditions: Pavement
• Round-trip travel: 8 miles
• Suggested donation per rider: $1

We will drive to Boring and park at the Boring trailhead, where parking and restrooms are available. We will start our walk on this section of the Springwater Trail, the last section to be paved back in 2013. We will walk west to Rugg Road, where we will turn around and return to our cars at the Boring trailhead. We will then drive back to Gresham and have lunch at a local downtown restaurant.

Bring water and snacks for the trail. Since the walk is all on paved sections of the Springwater Trail, wear shoes that are comfortable for walking on asphalt. Umbrellas may be necessary, depending upon the weather, since the trail has no tree canopy.

For more information about this hike please contact Mary Ann Buck at 971-344-1946 or buckbanter@gmail.com.

Senior Healthy Hikers asks that participants be 50 or older. A couple wishing to hike is welcome if one member of the couple is 50 or better.

Pets are not permitted on our hikes or walks.

Senior Healthy Hikers member guidelines

Let's Go Walking! When: Wed, Jan 15, 2020 9AM-5PM Where: Meet at Gresham City Hall 1333 NW Eastman Pky Get Map!

Rock Creek Trail Hike - Cherry Lane Trailhead to Rock Creek Park

• Distance: 3.8 miles
• Difficulty: Easy
• Elevation gain: Nominal
• Trail conditions: Paved pathway and boardwalk
• Round-trip travel: 62 miles
• Suggested donation per rider: $7

This trek will take us along a paved pathway that follows Rock Creek from the Cherry Lane Trailhead through Orchard Park to Rock Creek Park and back through natural greenspaces, occasionally skirting residential and corporate complexes. The restroom facility is a semi-permanent portable toilet at Cherry
Lane Park, with another at Orchards Park. After our hike we will drive a short distance to BJâs Brewhouse for lunch.

Bring water and snacks for the trail. Comfortable shoes are recommended.

For more information about this hike please contact Doug or Dana Duval at 907-230-6543 or danakol24@aol.com.

Senior Healthy Hikers asks that participants be 50 or older. A couple wishing to hike is welcome if one member of the couple is 50 or better.

Pets are not permitted on our hikes or walks.

Senior Healthy Hikers member guidelines

Restoring Our Habitat When: Sat, Jan 18, 2020 9:30AM-11:30 am Where: City of Gresham Council Chambers 1333 NW Eastman Pky Get Map!

The City's Natural Resources Program is hosting an amphibian egg mass survey as a part of a regional effort to track the Pacific chorus frog, northwestern salamander, long-toed salamander and northern red-legged frog.

Join us for a volunteer amphibian survey training. This indoor training will include:

• How to identify an egg mass
• Survey techniques
• Field methods

The indoor training is followed by an outdoor training on Feb. 1.

RSVP today

Read more about the amphibian surveys project

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

Let's Go Walking! When: Tue, Jan 28, 2020 9AM-5PM Where: Meet at Gresham City Hall 1333 NW Eastman Pky Get Map!

• Distance: 4.5 miles
• Difficulty: Moderate
• Elevation gain: 400 feet
• Trail conditions: Forest trail
• Round-trip travel: MAX light rail
• All-day MAX ticket: $5 (under age 65) or $2.50 (age 65 and over)

We will take the MAX train from Gresham City Hall to the Zoo station. We will hike approximately 4.5 miles on the Wildwood Trail, through the Arboretum, to the new bridge across Burnside, and return on the same path, passing the Japanese Gardens and the Vietnam Memorial. We will then take the MAX downtown and stop at a restaurant for lunch.

Trails may be muddy, but are in otherwise good shape in this part of the park. Bring water and snacks for the trail. Wear sturdy walking shoes. Poles are optional.

For more information about this hike please contact Bob Criteser at 503-807-1160 or bocr41@gmail.com or Sandy Anderson at 503-761-1375.

Senior Healthy Hikers asks that participants be 50 or older. A couple wishing to hike is welcome if one member of the couple is 50 or better.

Pets are not permitted on our hikes or walks.

Senior Healthy Hikers member guidelines

2019 Fall Newsletter "Diversity, Harmony, Community - Together 'WE' can make a difference!”

Read it now!

Fall 2019 Newsletter Inside This Issue: Albertina Kerr Workforce Housing WENA Board Elections Nov 11th Extreme Weather In Our Region Nadaka Happenings & Changes Update: A Playground For Kirk Park

Download your copy here. (includes active web links)

Newsletters are a regular publication of the Wilkes East Neighborhood Association. They are hand-delivered to over 1,500 residences and businesses in our area 3 times per year, timed to correspond with our regular meetings.

View archive   |   Policy & Ad Rates