Celebrating Charles Jordan During Black History Month

Remembering Charles Jordan

Black History Month is a time to remember and celebrate the many contributions of African Americans to the history and culture of our country. This year, Urban Forestry is highlighting former City Commissioner and Parks Director Charles Jordan for his incredible impact on Portland's history. 

Charles Ray Jordan was born in Texas in 1937 and spent much of his youth in Southern California. After college he started a career in public service in Palm Springs, eventually becoming the first African American to be Recreation Supervisor for the city. Jordan moved to Portland in 1970 to run the Model Cities Program. In this position, he organized the planting of 600 trees and coordinated the rehabilitation of 1,600 housing units in the city. 

City Commissioner and Director of Parks 

In 1974, Jordan was tapped by Mayor Goldschmidt to fill a recently vacated Commissioner seat. After finishing that term, he was elected as Commissioner twice in 1976 and 1980, becoming the first African American to hold that position. 

One highlight from his tenure as Commissioner was when he saved the Leach Botanical Garden from being sold in 1981. Another achievement in the role was when he created a training program to recruit more people of color to join the Fire Bureau. 

Jordan resigned as Commissioner in 1984 and moved to Austin, Texas, to run the parks department there. He then returned to Portland to be Parks Director in 1989 and remained Director until 2003. He was the first African American to hold this position, as well. As Director, he oversaw the creation of 44 new parks, community centers, and natural areas, including Delta Park and Pioneer House Square. 

Other Career Highlights

Jordan's passion for public parks reached far beyond Portland's boundaries. He served on the Board of Trustees for the National Recreation and Parks Association from 1984 to 1989 and on President Ronald Reagan's Commission on Americans Outdoors in 1985. 

To recognize his incredible parks career, the Portland City Council renamed the University Park Community Center after him in 2012. 

In Support of Parks

He once said, "Parks are more than just fun and games. Parks build community. They connect people to people, people to neighborhoods, and people to land." 

And here at Urban Forestry, we couldn't agree more. We are grateful for the amazing impact that Charles Jordan had on our city, and we are proud to continue his work of connecting Portlanders to the trees, parks, and community around them. 

Read more about Charles Jordan's life.