Friends of Spring Garden Park
The Friends of Spring Garden Park is an all volunteer group that restarted in 2008 by working to encourage nature-based and creative play for children. Working with the Portland Parks and Recreation Master Plan for Spring Garden Park we used small grants to host or sponsor community events to keep the park activated, including Ice Cream Socials, Movies In The Park, Park Playdates, National Night Out, Native Plant Sales, Library Story Walks, and work parties. With Spring Garden Park now fully developed, we continue our work to keep the park inviting to all community members and encourage nature play throughout the park. Please see our Facebook page for information about Nature Play and the PPR Master Plan.
View a video of Playdate in Spring Garden Park
History
Spring Garden Park is a 4.65 acre park in the Multnomah neighborhood. It’s bounded by Spring Garden Street and Dolph Court on the north and south and by 32nd and 35th on the east and west. Portland Parks & Recreation (PP&R) acquired the site in 1999 from Portland Public Schools. In 2013 Friends of Spring Garden Park was awarded a community grant by Multnomah Village’s Umpqua Bank, and with tremendous help from Portland Park’s and Recreation developed a temporary nature-play installation. In 2014 Commissioner Amanda Fritz announced Spring Garden Park development would be funded using System Development Charges! After extensive community input, the park opens with a Grand Opening June 16th, 2018.
Plans Call for Play Area
Spring Garden Park has a master plan developed by various agencies, community members, and PP&R, and published in 2003. That plan supports a play area at the South (Dolph) end of the property. Many community members joined the Public Advisory Committee to provide input for the permanent park design.
Reasons to Support the Plan
The lack of opportunities for children to run outside and play is contributing to problelms like obesity, diabetes, heart and mental health problems. The lack of of outdoor play environments is a real obstacle to good health. The population of Portland is projected to grow a lot in the coming years. The Spring Garden Parks property and surrounding property are bound by busy highways. Development of Spring Garden Park addresses the needs to solve the park desert that existed.
Environmental Plans
The Bureau of Environmental Services manages the day lit stream at the north end of the park, restored from an underground pipe in 2012.
How to Get Involved
The Friends of Spring Garden Park meets quarterly at the Multnomah Arts Center or local businesses. Meetings are open to the public. For information, check our facebook page or contact SWNI.
How to Donate
Use the link above or mail tax deductible donations to: SW Neighborhoods, Inc., 7688 SW Capitol Hwy, Portland, Oregon 97219. Make checks payable to Southwest Neighborhoods, Inc. (or “SWNI”). On the memo line, write: Spring Garden Park.
View the Spring Garden Park Map
