In this Park Facility
Basic Earthquake Emergency Communication Node (BEECN)
A Basic Earthquake Emergency Communication Node (pronounced beacon) is a place to go in Portland after a major earthquake to ask for emergency assistance if phone service is down, or report severe damage or injury. More information can be found on the Basic Earthquake Emergency Communication Node page.
Originally called Belmont Park, this site was renamed in 1938 in honor of Colonel Owen Summers, a former member of the Oregon Legislature. Summers was the commanding officer of the Second Oregon Volunteers Regiment in the Spanish-American War. He also introduced the bill which later created the Oregon National Guard. In the southwest corner of this park there is a huge rock, which came from Kelly Butte. This rock holds a bas relief image of Colonel Summers on a bronze plaque.
In 2017, Colonel Summers Park received several major improvements. A decorative picnic shelter enclosure, new splash pad, and picnic tables were installed thanks to System Development Charge funds. Funding from the 2014 Parks Replacement Bond provided a Portland Loo and removal of ADA barriers on the pathway from SE Taylor Street to the picnic shelter.