Helensview Community Garden Becomes Portland’s Newest Site for Growing Healthy, Local, Fresh Food
(Portland,OR) –
Portland Parks & Recreation (PP&R), in partnership with the Sumner Association of Neighbors, Helensview School, Multnomah Educational School District and Parkrose School District, invite the community to the grand opening of PP&R’s Helensview Community Garden.
The celebration will take place on Saturday, March 9 from 12pm–1pm. The HelensviewCommunityGardenis the 46th garden in the network of community gardens managed by the City.
WHAT: Grand Opening of Portland Parks & Recreation’s 46th Community Garden
WHERE: Helensview Community Garden, at Helensview School 8678 NE Sumner St
WHEN: Saturday, March 9 from 12pm–1pm
There is plenty of space in the school parking lot or street parking. Light snacks and refreshments will be provided.
The Portland Community Gardens program has provided gardening opportunities for the physical and social benefit of the people and neighborhoods ofPortlandsince 1975. With the addition of Helensview, there are now 46 community gardens located throughout the city.
Portland Community Gardens are developed and operated by volunteers and PP&R staff, offering a variety of activities.
The Helensview Community Garden is the first partnership between Parkrose School District and Portland Community Gardens.
The garden is built on land owned by Parkrose, but leased by Multnomah Educational School District, which operates Helensview School.
Helensview School provides an engaging and supportive environment to help students with needs that have not been met in other educational settings.
“All of us at Portland Parks & Recreation are delighted by the neighborhood’s role in identifying the need for a garden and community space,” says PP&R Director Mike Abbaté. “The Sumner Association of Neighbors was instrumental in making this project happen by virtue of the idea, proposing the site, and going through proper channels with the schools, school districts and City of Portland.”
Funding came from a grant from East Multnomah Soil and Water Conservation District, plus additional matching funds from Portland Parks & Recreation. The Friends of Portland Community Gardens provides tools for the garden through a donation from Ames True Temper.
Helensview Community Garden Grand Opening Events:
Noon – 12:30pm
Open House
Gardeners who have already signed up for plots are invited to pick their plot.
12:30 – 1pm
Remarks by Portland Commissioner Nick Fish, Sumner Association of Neighbors, Helensview School Principal Kris Persson, City Commissioner Fish, and PP&R’s Community Gardens Program.
If there are garden plots still available, community members will be invited to sign up.
About Portland Community Gardens
Helensview Community Garden becomes the 46th community garden in Portland. Construction was completed in the fall of 2012.
PP&R opened Clarendon Community Garden in March 2012, Frazer Community Garden in April, and Errol Heights Community Garden in May 2012.
Ed Benedict, Grant, and Kenton community gardens opened in June. NE 72nd Ave. Community Garden opened in October 2012.
The Mt. Tabor Community Garden will hold its Grand Opening in April 2013.
These gardens add 450 new plots to the City of Portland’s Community Gardens Program.
1000 Gardens Initiative
Through our Community Garden Initiative, Commissioner Fish and the City worked with partners to reach our Climate Action goal of 1,000 new garden plots by the end of 2012.
In 2009, Commissioner Nick Fish launched the "1,000 Gardens" Initiative to help meet the demand for places to grow food. The City's Community Gardens team worked with dozens of community partners to reach the Climate Action goal of 1,000 new garden plots by the end of 2012.
For more info on Portland Community Gardens: