Apply to Mill Park Advisory Committee

Volunteer Event
Be part of shaping the future of Mill Park! The deadline to apply is extended to noon on Monday, April 12, 2021.
An illustrated rendering of the preferred design plan for Mill Park.

Deadline for Applicants: extended to 12:00 pm on Monday, April 12, 2021
Staff Liaison: Maija Spencer, maija.spencer@portlandoregon.gov, 503-823-5593

Apply here

Purpose and Background

The Mill Park Project Advisory Committee (PAC) will provide input to PP&R and the design team in the development of a design for Mill Park. This park, located at SE 117th Avenue and Mill Court next to Mill Park Elementary School, is 5.7 acres. It has an informal soft-surface walking trail, open lawn, and mature trees but is otherwise undeveloped. Improvements will be guided by the park’s 2017 Master Plan and may include a playground, splash pad, gathering area, picnic shelter and tables, a community garden, soccer fields, paved pathways, and other park amenities. 

Input and recommendations from the Mill Park PAC will be used to refine the park concepts and final design. Input will also be taken from the broader community at three Community Gathering events. Park users, nearby neighbors, parents and grandparents, youth, people living with disabilities, gardeners, representatives of culturally-specific organizations or religious institutions, and other community members are encouraged to apply to bring a broad perspective to this process. No experience is necessary.

The committee will advise the project team on:

  • Development of a final park design for the development of Mill Park 
  • Outreach to the broader community for further input and feedback on the design

Time Commitment

  • Attend five meetings between May 2021 and February 2022. 
  • Meetings will be held in the evening and will generally be about two hours. For now, they will be held online. If public health standards allow, we may meet in person in the future. 
  • The anticipated time commitment is 0-4 hours / month.
    • Members are expected to prepare for meetings on their own time and will be provided meeting materials for review.
  • Committee Members will serve for a duration of approximately 10 months, or until the park design process is complete. If the process is extended your term cannot exceed eight years by City Policy.
  • PP&R can provide interpreters who will translate the conversation in your language during the meeting.

We Remove Barriers

Let us know if there are barriers to your participation. For example, public transportation, childcare, or parking passes will be available if you need those to fully participate. A light dinner will be provided at evening meetings when meetings are held in person.

Who Can Join

To be eligible for the Mill Park Project Advisory Committee, members must live, play, worship, go to school, work, or do business in the City of Portland.

Total number of advisory seats: 10-15
Number of seats available: 10-15

What We Look For

We want people from every part of Portland here to share their voice on this committee, especially people who have not been involved before. If you want to serve your community and to help government make better choices, then we want to see your application.

The attributes listed below are what will guide our selection process. We do not expect you to be or have everything listed.

  • You believe government is better when community is involved.
  • You are an advocate for racial equity: you want positive and long-lasting outcomes for racial and ethnic communities who have been left out before. You can bring discussion about racial and ethnic communities who need it the most.
  • You have a perspective on physically navigating the community with a disability.
  • You are available to attend all meetings and participate in the discussions.
  • You live, work, go to school, play, and/or worship near Mill Park.
  • You regularly visit Mill Park or enjoy using other parks in East Portland.
  • You are a member, volunteer, or employee of culturally-specific or religious organizations that serve communities who would use Mill Park. 

How to Apply

Applications will be reviewed beginning immediately after the application due date, and we will contact everyone who applies after we select the committee members. To talk with someone about this opportunity or to receive assistance completing the application, please contact the advisory body staff liaison at maija.spencer@portlandoregon.gov or 503-823-5593.

Apply here

We Encourage You to Apply

We welcome you to browse our website to learn more about the work: portland.gov/parks/construction/mill-park-project.

Volunteer Ethics

People who join this committee will become what we call “Public Officials,” which means that while you serve you must behave fair and ethically. We will provide training on this once you are accepted. Part of following Public Officials Ethics laws means you must tell the group when you or a relative may financially benefit (or avoid fees) by your recommendations. This is called a “Conflict of Interest.” If you tell us about potential Conflicts of Interest that does not mean you cannot serve, in fact, many committees have potential members with Conflicts of Interest. We appreciate your ethical inclusion of possible Conflicts of Interest on the form included in the application.

Voluntary and Confidential Demographic Information

The City is committed to diversity, inclusion, and equity. Completing the demographic information on the application is voluntary, but we encourage you to provide that information. The City uses this information to help ensure that advisory body appointments represent a broad cross-section of community. Your information will not be used during the recruitment nor the selection process. State and federal law prohibit use of this information to discriminate against you. Questions about this may be sent to AdvisoryBodies@Portlandoregon.gov

General Questions

For general questions about the Advisory Bodies program, the volunteer recruitment process, or other upcoming advisory body recruitments, please contact AdvisoryBodies@Portlandoregon.gov

Location

Mill Park

Park
Park Location or Entrance
SE 117th Avenue and Mill Court
Portland, OR 97216

Contact

Maija Spencer (she, they)

Senior Community Engagement Coordinator