Construction of First Developed Neighborhood Park in Cully Expected to Start Next Spring
(Portland, OR) –
Portland Parks & Recreation (PP&R) is pleased that the planning for the first developed neighborhood park in the Portland’s Cully area is proceeding as anticipated. PP&R expects that construction on the park, located on NE 52nd between NE Alberta St and NE Wygant, will begin in spring of 2014. We estimate the 2.4 acre project will be complete by spring 2015 to help fulfill the need for park and open space within the Cully Neighborhood.
Completion of the new park will create an eagerly awaited neighborhood gathering place in the heart of an area that needs it most. The Cully Neighborhood is a culturally diverse area that is home to more than 13,000 residents with a mix of commercial and relatively dense residential development. The all-volunteer Cully Association of Neighbors (CAN) continues to be an instrumental partner in drawing attention to the needs of the neighborhood. CAN has an important and vital commitment to the park’s planning and development. The group is also involved with planning the future Thomas Cully Park on NE 72nd Ave., along with other area partnerships including the recent expansion of Sacajawea Park.
"It is very exciting that the Cully neighborhood will finally have a fully developed park suited for all ages for our diverse community,” says Kathy Fuerstenau, CAN chairwoman. “This park will be a special gathering place where individuals and families can go to play and relax. For many years, the Cully Association of Neighbors has been diligently advocating for improvements to the parks in Cully. We are pleased that our partnership helped to bring this one to fruition."
City Parks Commissioner Amanda Fritz lauds the broad community support the new park has seen from day one, and continues to see.
“The planning for this park has involved input from a broad range of community members,” says Fritz. “We thank them and our partners for their continued investment in the park. Their support for the park’s design and excitement for the finished park is tangible. I eagerly await the results of their efforts, commitment and leadership.”
For project updates on the new park on the Cully neighborhood, please visit the PP&R project page.
About the park
The park’s design includes a playground, picnic shelter plus other picnic tables around the park, lights, park benches, a nature play area including a slide, native trees and plants, climbing boulders, a large grassy lawn, rainwater drainage features, on-street parking, and west and north-side curb, street and sidewalk improvements to allow people to safely walk the park’s perimeter. The park will also feature a small, beginner-level skateboard area known as a Skate Dot. The location will allow this feature to be easily seen and accessed from NE Alberta St. The Skate Dot is designed primarily for kids ages 5-12, but can also be used by other beginner skaters.
Valerie Otani is an artist and sculptor who has collaborated with design teams to incorporate her artwork into natural areas, parks, recreational facilities and urban centers. Otani views public art as a way to connect people to a site. PP&R has asked her to be involved with the design process from the early stages, in order to explore artistic themes and gestures. We hope her input helps make the park a calm, memorable place which is tied culturally to the Cully community. The Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT) will be designing, and constructing street improvements along the park’s border with NE Alberta & NE 52nd Ave.
The new park’s Master Plan was a collaborative effort between Portland Parks & Recreation, the Cully community, and the Project Advisory Committee.
The design team for the park is headed up by Greenworks P.C. Landscape Architecture includes; KPFF Engineering, Reyes Electrical, Evergreen Skate Parks, Verde Community Youth Engagement and artist Valerie Otani among others. Greenworks designed the master plan for the park and will oversee the design process from now until completion. Portland non-profit Verde is a partner.
The public is invited to a meeting to learn more about the park’s features and for an update on the development process; particularly the young children’s skateboard area known as the Skate Dot.
WHAT: Learn more about the new PP&R park in the Cully neighborhood
WHEN: Wednesday, September 11, 6:30-8:00pm
WHERE: Rigler Elementary School, 5401 NE Prescott St.
Join Portland Parks & Recreation for a discussion regarding the beginner level skate dot and an update on the park development.
Parques y Recreación de Portland estará presentando información acerca del desarrollo del parque sobre la 52 y Alberta y una amenidad pequeña que se creara para aprender a andar en patineta.
Snacks provided. Childcare available by calling 503-823-5113
Se darán botanas. Para cuidado de niños llame 503-823-5493 (español).