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 at the Basic Earthquake Emergency Communication Node page.
The Mill Park property was purchased in 1986, with the additional property on SE 122nd Ave acquired in 2021. Mill Park began as a 5.7 acre park next to Mill Park Elementary. It had an informal soft-surface walking trail, open lawn, and mature trees, but was otherwise undeveloped.
In the summer of 2021, a portion of the System Development Charge funds for this project were used to purchase the adjacent 22,000 square foot property at 1949 SE 122nd Avenue to create a new park entry from SE 122nd Avenue and increase the total open space provided by Mill Park to approximately 6.2 acres.
Thanks to funding from Park System Development Charges, PP&R secured funds to improve this park. Improvements to Mill Park were guided by the park's 2017 Master Plan and included a playground, splash pad, central lawn, gathering area, picnic shelter and tables, community garden, paved pathways, public art, and other park amenities.
Through a Project Advisory Committee and Community Gathering events in partnership with the Division Midway Alliance from Spring 2021-Spring 2022, the community helped guide the refinement of the park's design. Construction began in the fall of 2023, and the park opened to the public in January 2025.