Verdell Burdine Rutherford Park Playground Project

Project Overview

Through a Project Advisory Committee and Community Gathering events, the community helped guide the development of a concept plan for the layout of the park and the design of the playground.

Project Updates

June 2020

Construction is now complete! PP&R is happy to announce that the former Lynchview Park (SE 167^th Avenue and Market Street in east Portland) has been renamed Verdell Burdine Rutherford Park. Read the full announcement here. 

May 2019

Construction mobilization started the week of May 13, 2019.

April 2019

Parks Commissioner Nick Fish approved additional System Development Charge funds for this project to allow for the installation of a Portland Loo (permanent restroom) as part of the improvements at Verdell Burdine Rutherford Park. In our outreach process during the design phase, we heard interest from many neighbors about having a restroom near the playground, and a Loo was rated as one of the top desired passive amenities. 

Portland Loos have been installed in many Portland parks, including Waterfront Park, Gateway Discovery Park, Raymond Park, and Parklane Park. Made primarily of steel, they are a single-user restroom that is designed and manufactured in Portland to be ADA-accessible, safe, and graffiti-resistant. Port-a-potties do temporarily fill the need for a public restroom, but they are frequently targets of vandalism in neighborhood parks. 

The Loo at Verdell Burdine Rutherford Park will be unlocked/locked daily and will be open on a seasonal basis (spring to fall). Learn more about  about the Portland Loo features.

Project Advisory Committee Members

Andra Cassen, Yesenia Delgado, Brian Flores Garcia, Emily Garafalo, Jenny Glass, Jennifer Hopkins, Michone Moore, Madelyn Morris, Gayle Palmer, Ana Pineda, Amber Stadler.

Project Timeline

• Summer 2017 - Winter 2017/18: Concept Development and Public Involvement
  • Community Gathering #1 - September 7, 2017
    • Presentation Materials | Comment Form Summary
  • Community Gathering #2 - November 15, 2018
    • Presentation Materials | Comment Form Summary
  • Community Gathering #3 - February 8, 2018 
    • Presentation Materials | Comment Form Summary
  • Community Gathering #4 - April 5, 2018 
    • Presentation Materials | Comment Form Summary
• Winter 2017/18 - Spring 2018: Construction Documents
• Spring 2018 - Fall 2018:  Permitting
• Fall 2018 - Spring 2019: Bidding and Contracting
• May 2019 - Spring 2020: Construction

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