292-2022

Whereas, Frederick Law Olmsted, Sr. fostered equitable access to parks for all people; and is considered the founder of the profession of landscape architecture, was born on April 26, 1822; and

Whereas, Frederick Law Olmsted, Sr’s.  progressive social views, including his ardent support for the abolition of slavery, gave rise to public urban landscapes that were intended for all regardless of color, wealth, or social standing; and

Whereas, Frederick Law Olmsted, Sr. created Central Park, Prospect Park and many other parks explicitly to provide opportunities for the poor and those lacking the means to escape the city as a respite from urban life and to promote human health; and

Whereas, Frederick Law Olmsted, Sr. was an early contributor to the New York Times where he documented the evils of the institution of slavery in graphic detail in his work “The Cotton Kingdom”; and

Whereas, Frederick Law Olmsted, Sr. played a significant role in the creation of the National Park System, beginning with his advocacy to establish Yosemite National Park; and

Whereas, Frederick Law Olmsted, Sr. promoted parks as essential public infrastructure to promote a more healthful city and as a democratic space that creates community; and

Whereas, his son, John Charles Olmsted, a co-founder of the American Society of Landscape Architects, was brought to Portland in 1903 by the volunteer Park Board to develop a Portland park master plan; and

Whereas, his master plan reflected the same commitments to equitable access for everyone and to the creation of a comprehensive and interconnected system of parks, natural landscapes, parkways, and boulevards for human health and a healthy economy.

Now Therefore, I, Ted Wheeler, Mayor of the City of Portland, Oregon, the “City of Roses,” do hereby proclaim April 26, 2022 to be

Frederick Law Olmsted Day

in Portland and encourage all residents to recognize and celebrate the 200^th anniversary of the birth of Frederick Law Olmsted, Sr. and the contributions of John Charles Olmsted and the Olmsted firm to inspiring park, natural area and trail planning in the City of Portland and the metropolitan region.