director park - fall 2015

Commissioner Amanda FritzDirector Mike Abbaté

Fall 2015Activities in West Portland

Director Park

REGISTRATION BEGINS AUGUST 17, 2015Go to PortlandParks.org, click on the Register Now tab.

Portland Parks & Recreation - Fall 2015

2 Westside Parks 503-823-PLAY

There’s something wonderful about puppets. You’ve probably had the pleasure of slipping a puppet onto your hand or finger or placing a mask on your face. Or you’ve drawn a mouth and eyes on a paper bag and voila! Suddenly you’ve found another voice and persona, and with these, a new way to connect.

So join in on the fun: on Saturdays in fall 2015, Multnomah Arts Center (MAC) will offer puppet making classes to youth. Participants will get to make their own puppets and will have the opportunity to perform in MAC’s December theatre showcase. In 2016, the puppetry program will expand to include puppeteering courses for people of all ages.

These classes come on the heels of the SW Youth Puppeteers marching in the Multnomah Days

Parade on August 15, 2015. This parade contingent was made up of local youth, including youth from Stephens Creek Crossing (SCC), which is located less than a mile from MAC. Two weeks of puppet-making classes from August 3-14 were supported by a grant from the Office of Neighborhood Involvement and Southwest Neighborhoods, Inc. and support from the Multnomah Arts Center Association, a nonprofit that supports MAC.

Though hand and rod puppets are popular - think Kermit or Elmo - puppet theatre involves more than moving a puppet’s mouth and talking in a funny voice. From the stitching of

costumes to improvisations on stage to the setup of the lights, puppetry is a collaborative art. Well-envisioned ensemble puppetry has the potential to become larger than life and includes the creation of kinetic sculptures, people becoming landscapes, and the presentation of stories that show what it is to be fully human.

Since MAC has classes in the disciplines of Visual Arts, Performing Arts, Literary Arts, there’s no telling what kind of puppetry performances might come to life in Multnomah Village and what impact they might have on our community.

Classes here continue to offer the community a wide variety of ways to explore themselves, their imagination, and this world we share.

To find out more about MAC’s Youth Arts program, contact Aimé Kelly at [email protected]. To receive quarterly catalogs with class schedules or to opt-in to our email newsletter, visit: www.MultnomahArtsCenter.org

Multnomah Arts Center’s Youth Arts Program: Puppets Connect Our Local YouthBy Judith Pulman and Aimé Kelly, Multnomah Arts Center Staff

Leading the SW Youth Puppeteers is the puppeteer extraordinaire, Meg

Harris. She is a puppet maker, seamstress, visual artist, and teacher whose colorful and imaginative world has inspired many collaborations around Metro Detroit and Portland alike. She has worked with children and adults on creating paintings, clothing, puppets, and performances the last 10 years. Meg has a BFA in Fiber with a minor in stop motion animation from the College for Creative Studies in Detroit and a MFA in Craft from Oregon College of Art and Craft. We are lucky to have her teaching at MAC!

MEG HARRIS

AT SOUTHWEST COMMUNITY CENTER´´

AT SOUTHWEST COMMUNITY CENTER

76 CLASSES PER WEEKFrom yoga, belly dancing, low impact, to Zumba, boot camp, and kettle bell we offer classes for EVERY BODY at EVERY LEVEL! Call today for more information and get moving. (503) 823-2840



Last fall, Portland voters overwhelmingly supported the Parks Replacement Bond. Thank you! Because of that support, we are pleased to announce that work is beginning on multiple projects across the city of Portland.

The Parks Replacement Bond will repair and replace critical structures in the parks system, including playgrounds, bridges, pools, and roofs. Bond projects will also seek to eliminate barriers to accessibility for people with disabilities.

Here are a few highlights of bond projects planned for the west side:

NORTH PARK BLOCKS: A design process will begin this fall to replace the playground in this Pearl neighborhood park.

PIONEER COURTHOUSE SQUARE: The Square will receive a new waterproof membrane and other structural repairs to protect the integrity of our City’s Living Room.

WASHINGTON PARK ROSE GARDEN: Accessibility improvements will ensure that the parking, south entry, and main esplanade of this historic attraction are accessible to all as the Garden prepares for its Centennial celebrations.

Register On-Line at www.PortlandParks.org 5

Portland Parks & Recreation Westside P

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FOREST PARK: Trail bridges will be replaced on the much-loved Maple and Lower Macleay Trails to allow for healthy recreation opportunities for years to come.

RIEKE FIELD: This synthetic turf field will receive a full renovation, including drainage, grading, and other improvements to the delight of many soccer players in SW Portland.

COUCH PARK PLAYGROUND: A new playground will be designed in a community process this fall to replace the wooden playground structure removed in 2014. PP&R will be working with the Friends of Couch Playground who have committed to raising an additional $500,000 to supplement the bond project budget and create an inclusive playground. Find out more about the fundraising efforts at www.friendsofcouchplayground.com. This park will also benefit from plaza improvements and a new Portland Loo.

The bonds were sold in July, so project planning is just beginning. Go to www.parksreplacementbond.org for the latest updates as plans are further developed and refined.

Find more information about Parks Replacement Bond projects and timelines at www.parksreplacementbond.org

QUESTIONS?

Contact Parks Bond Community Engagement Coordinator, Maija Spencer at [email protected], or 503-823-5593.



that provides so many opportunities for people to meet each other, have fun and stay healthy. I was lucky enough to find a position here at Southwest Community Center that allowed me to bring together my love of excellent customer service and community

programming. I think that Southwest is one of the crowning jewels in the Parks Bureau and am so happy to call it home.

What is the most unexpected thing you’ve learned while working at SWCC?In the past several months I have learned that the people who come to visit are looking for so much more than a place to work out or attend a class. They are truly part of the southwest community. People share stories about their families, encourage each other to continue a healthy lifestyle and help each other through hard times. I am so happy to know the people I’ve met so far and can’t wait to see who else will walk through our doors!

Tell me a little bit about your coworkers/the team at SWCC?I am so proud to be a part of the Southwest Community Center team! Everyone who works here is friendly, knowledgeable and has a passion for what we provide to our community. With our staff combined, we have hundreds of years of Parks and Recreation experience and everyone is eager to share their own expertise with the group. This collaborative attitude makes it fun and interesting to work here.

What’s your earliest memory of participating in a recreation program or visiting a community center?Growing up in a rural town in Michigan meant that my sister and I didn’t have a lot of places to hang out and have fun. It was always a treat when we could visit the local recreation center which was 45 minutes away in a nearby town. Throughout the years, we took swim lessons, played tennis, and even had a few all-night parties with our friends. These trips were so special to us- it felt like we were going on vacation! I’m so happy to help provide this healthy family fun to our patrons.

It would be great to get a general summary of your background: Where you grew up, past work experience, etc.

I am from a small town in northern Michigan right on Lake Superior were I spent most of my childhood being active outside exploring the woods and playing in the water. After high school, I volunteered full time for AmeriCorps where I was fortunate enough to work for the Denver Broncos Boys and Girls Club, a YMCA Youth Camp and a Milwaukee City Park clean-up crew. Through those experiences I learned that I wanted to pursue a career in recreation. Since graduating with a Bachelor’s Degree in Environmental Science, I had the pleasure to work for the Chicago Park District beautifying parks and moved on to run a nature outreach program throughout the city. After two years of teaching camp kids nature concepts and organizing outdoor adventures like sailing, kayaking and camping, I moved from Chicago. After my husband and I arrived in Portland, I spent a year with the Tualatin Hills Park

and Recreation District coordinating nature outreach programs, school field trips and assisting customers at the front desk. I am now proud to start my career with Portland Parks and Recreation leading the front desk team at Southwest Community Center.

I’m happy that we have such a varied program schedule and I can build on my previous experiences. I’m also so happy that our visitors are so wonderful and make me proud to help them every day.

How did you become interested in working at Southwest Community Center?When I moved to Portland, I knew wanted to continue my career in recreation. Portland Parks and Recreation is an amazing organization

An interview with Heather Hunter,Lead Recreation Service Representative, SWCCInterviewed by SWCC Director, MaryAnn Takashima



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What is your favorite part of the job? I love when I see our visitors smile! Sometimes it’s an adult proud of themselves for attending a group exercise class, sometimes it’s a parent proud of their child’s swim lesson graduation, or it may be a summer camper seeing their new friends walk in for the day. No matter the reason, it is amazing to know that I was able to help improve someone’s day.

The front desk is a very busy place, how do you keep everything straight?The front desk at Southwest Community Center helps hundreds of people each day. As you can imagine, this keeps us all pretty busy! Our visitors are the first priority, so we always put all of our other work on hold until we slow down. Therefore, I find it’s helpful to keep an ongoing list of items to take care of as things come up throughout the day. Whenever there is a slow moment, we tackle it as a team. We also rely very heavily on our calendars! Every single shift we take a moment to review all the programs that are going on in the building. We want to be able to help people find their fitness class, birthday party, or swim lesson as quickly as we can, so it helps to review it often!

What do you think makes SWCC unique?Southwest Community Center is unique because there is such a variety of people who use the facility. We have people of all ages, backgrounds, and fitness abilities. Throughout the day we’ll see families coming for classes or swimming, teenagers hanging out with their friends, couples on dates and individuals of all ages here to get healthy and work out. I have been to many other community centers where the environment is not so inclusive. I am proud of our diversity and love that we can bring all of these people together in one place.

What do you like to do for fun?When I am not at Southwest Community Center, you will usually find me outdoors - I love hiking, biking, swimming, running and playing with my two dogs. My husband and I love to travel, eat out, go to concerts, and sightsee - even if it’s in our own wonderful city! When I’m home relaxing, you will always find me in my kitchen - I love to cook and recently started my own vegetable garden to fuel my inspiration.

What are some of your favorite places since moving to the Pacific Northwest?I absolutely love the Pacific Northwest! In the past two years I have enjoyed exploring everything from splashing around at secluded Ecola Beach to exploring the high desert outside of Bend. Oregon is beautiful and I keep finding amazing trails, waterfalls, and other great places to explore! I have also enjoyed how easy it is to get to other areas even in a short trip. My husband and I have traveled to the Olympic Peninsula, Redwood National Park and recently went to Yosemite. I’m hoping my future adventures will include exploring the Painted Hills and camping in the Wallowa Mountains. If you have any suggestions for my next adventure - I’m all ears!

AT SOUTHWEST COMMUNITY CENTERAll group exercise classes are free with daily admission or active pass. Youth 13 years and older welcome. Call 503-823-2840!



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SW Neighborhoods Parks and Community Centers CommitteeBy Leonard Gard, Program Manager, SWNI

SMITH SCHOOLThe SW Neighborhoods Parks Committee is one of five standing committees of SW Neighborhoods, Inc. (SWNI). SWNI is a nonprofit corporation that has a contract with the city to provide services to 17 neighborhood associations in southwest Portland. The Parks Committee’s purpose as stated in its action plan is to “act as a forum for the community through neighborhood contacts and representatives and other interested parties to advocate for and promote the use of parks and recreation facilities.” The statement goes on to broadly define parks to include open spaces of all types, including golf courses, school fields, even cemeteries.

Committee members in June discussed one of those open spaces. They met at Smith School at the edge of the school field. It was a beautiful evening. Smith School has been closed for years but the field remains an important asset for the community—it is the only open space for recreational activity in Ashcreek neighborhood. The Ashcreek Neighborhood Association recently constructed a path along the edge of the field. Portland Parks & Recreation (PP&R) is now maintaining the field. Our committee member from Ashcreek urged that we request that the school district guarantee that the field will always remain for recreational use.

APRIL HILL PARKIn May, Oregon State University (OSU) alumni volunteered to do a work party in the park. It was part of the OSU Alumni Service Day, a world-wide event. An OSU alumna who grew up in the Maplewood neighborhood, which includes April Hill Park, recommended April

Marshall Park dedication

Hill Park as a worthy site. Volunteers placed cardboard and mulch on grass to prepare it for planting, and placed a fallen tree to create salamander habitat. During the work party, three neighborhood volunteers joined in and built a split rail fence.

HOMELESS PEOPLE IN PARKSOur committee representative from the Homestead neighborhood recently reported an increase in camping by homeless people in Terwilliger Parkway and Marquam Nature Park. Recently, campers lit a large fire to do cooking. That was near the Buhler Cut-off. Janelle St. Pierre of PP&R sent out some information on what PP&R does in response to such activities. The committee will address the issue in an upcoming meeting.

PARKS COMMITTEE MEETINGSThe committee is one of the standing committees of Southwest Neighborhoods, Inc., a nonprofit corporation that serves seventeen neighborhood associations in southwest Portland. The committee meets every first Thursday of the month, usually at the Multnomah Arts Center. The public is always invited to attend. For more information, call Leonard at 503-823-4592. And subscribe to SWNI’s monthly newspaper, the SW Neighborhood News, by calling or visiting the website, www.swni.org. It’s free.

MARSHALL PARK PLAYGROUND DEDICATIONOn Saturday, June 13, the Marshall Park Neighborhood Association dedicated the new playground in Marshall Park. The weather was ideal. About 100 people attended, including lots of children. Special guests included John DeLance and Amy Steingrebe, residents of Marshal Park NA who helped steward the project; Commissioner Amanda Fritz; Director Mike Abbate, and Eileen Argentina from Portland Parks & Recreation (PP&R); and State Parks Deputy Director MG Devereaux. Descendants of the couple who donated the initial piece of property that composed Marshall Park also attended. In 1947, F.C. and Addie Marshall donated to the city about eleven acres of land, a former quarry that the Marshalls restored. Later, the city added more acres to create the beautiful park we now have.

The new playground incorporates both conventional play components and an environmental exploration area. Much of the funding for the playground improvements came from a grant from Oregon Parks & Recreation. The grant also provided funding for ADA access, stream habitat improvements, and educational signage.



Portland Parks and Recreation wants to be your partner in allowing your children to ! BLOOM offers you a guide to improve your children’s physical , creative , and social health .Look for the physical health icons in this catalogue to select courses in which your child will be physically active for at least 2/3 of the duration of the course. Scientific research has shown that physical activity in childhood promotes increased overall health into adulthood. It leads to healthy lifestyle habits, increased social and cognitive skills, and educational success. Portland Parks and Recreation courses contribute to the daily recommended standards for your children’s overall health. Let your children BLOOM with us, grow with us, and get moving!

GROW WITH US, AND GET MOVING!

LOOK FOR THESE ICONS TO DISCOVER NEW CLASSES WITH DIFFERENT LEVELS OF

PHYSICAL BENFITS FOR YOUR CHILDREN:

Typically ages0-6

Typically ages6-9

Typically ages9-12

ACTIVE START

At this age, physical activity should always be fun and part of daily life. Active play in a safe and challenging environment is the best way to keep children physically active.

FUNDAMENTALS

Skill development at this age is best achieved through a combination of unstructured play in a safe and challenging environment.

TRAINING

This is a period of accelerated learning of coordination and fine motor skills. It is a time to develop all fundamental movement skills and learn overall sports skills.

LOOK FOR THESE NEW ICONS TO BE INTRODUCED IN FUTURE GUIDES!



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It is important to encourage young people to participate in physical activities that are appropriate for their age, that are enjoyable, and that offer variety.

Children and adolescents should

have 60 minutes (1 hour) or more

of physical activity daily. Most

of the 60 or more minutes a day

should be either moderate- or

vigorous-intensity aerobic physical

activity and should include

vigorous-intensity physical

activity at least 3 days a

week.

Walking to school

Playing at recess

Skateboarding

Soccer practice with PP&R

Playing tag with friends

+10 minutes

+20 minutes

+15 minutes

+30 minutes

+15 minutes

HEALTHY CHOICES ADD UP!

= 90

MINUTESOF PHYSICAL

ACTIVITY

AT SOUTHWEST COMMUNITY CENTERAll group exercise classes are free with daily admission or active pass. Youth 13 years and older welcome. Call 503-823-2840!


Portland Parks & Recreation


Southwest C

CFulton Park C

CH

illside CC

Director Park

Registration

Director ParkCorner of Yamhill St. & Park Ave.Portland, OR 97205503-823-8087www.DirectorPark.org

Urban Park Specialist: Alicia Hammock Web: www.portlandparks.org & www.directorpark.orgEmail: [email protected]: Blue Line & Red LineStreetcar: Stop at Yamhill & 10th one block west of parkDisabled Accessable

Arts & Cultural ProgramHelp bring a variety of arts & cultural activities to Director Park!Interested in performing in an urban, outdoor location? Contact Alicia Hammock at [email protected] or visit www.DirectorPark.org and click on “Arts & Cultural Program.”

We accept applications 12 months in advance for...• Public Events• Private Events

Find out more about Director Park by visit ing:www.DirectorPark.org

IMAGINE YOUR EVENT HERE!

LIKE US ON FACEBOOK!www.facebook.com/directorpark

DIRECTOR PARK EVENTSWWW.DIRECTORPARK.ORGA DOWNTOWN URBAN INTIMATE SPACE PUBLIC RENTALS & PRIVATE EVENTS 503.823.8087

CANOPY REPAIRS September 23 - December 13, 2015The east side of Director Park will be open with tables and chairs. The west side will be fenced off for canopy repairs. No rentals or programming will be held and the public restroom and Elephants in the Park will be closed.

Reg

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nREGISTRATIONReceipt of full payment is required for registration, unless otherwise arranged. Please call if you receive a returned check or declined bank card notice, either of which void registration.

RESIDENT / NON-RESIDENTA resident is:

• anyonewhooccupiesapermanentresidenceinsidethecity limits of Portland. At the discretion of a Community Center Director, proof of home address may be required. Acceptable address verification may include a 1) drivers license, 2) Oregon ID card, 3) property tax statement, 4) utility bill or lease agreement with current home address.

• anychildlivingwithintheschoolboundariesoftheReynolds and Centennial School Districts who is attending a SUN Community School. Through a partnership between the City and County, a child attending a SUN Community School is eligible to register for programs at any SUN Community School location without paying a non-resident surcharge.

Anyone else is considered a non-resident (NR) and will be assessed a 40% surcharge. NR surcharges do not apply to drop-in activities. Non-residents who wish to register for PP&R activities may choose one of these options:

•Pay the additional 40% NR fee.

•Purchase a NR fee discount pass as either an individual or family for a period of three, six or nine months from the date of purchase. The NR discount pass takes 25% off the NR fee for the activity. Inquire about this option at time of registration. These passes are not refundable.

Non-resident Pass Prices

3-month pass: Individual $25 Family $50



A family denotes a couple (married or domestic) or a single parent and their legal dependents living in the same residence.

CLASS ENROLLMENTOur classes must meet minimum and maximum enrollment standards. Classes may fill quickly or be canceled due to low enrollment.

WITHDRAWAL & REFUNDSPlease notify us at least five (5) business days (Monday-Friday), unless otherwise specified, before the start of your program so that we can refund or credit your account for the registration fee. Pre-paid materials and admission tickets cannot be refunded. Participants needing to withdraw after the program has begun are offered a prorated credit or refund based upon when the request is made.

SCHOLARSHIPSCity of Portland residents, regardless of age, who require financial assistance may apply for partial scholarships. Contact individual centers for information.

NOTICE OF NON-DISCRIMINATIONPP&R programs and services reflect the cultural diversity of our community. We do not discriminate on the basis of religion, race, color, gender, national origin, sexual orientation, age or ability.

SPECIAL NEEDSWithin the American with Disability Act (ADA), a person with a disability or special need who desires assistance with registration and/or participation in general PP&R programs can contact Inclusion Services at please call 503-823-4333 or 711 (TRS). If you request assistance through Inclusion Services, a minimum of 10 business days (Monday-Friday) advance notice is required.

If you need a sign language interpreter or FM loop amplifier, please contact please call 503-823-4333 or 711 (TRS), at least five business days in advance of the activity or class. Information about programs and services is available online for those needing a voice synthesis; visit our website at www.PortlandParks.org. For additional ADA information, call 503-823-2223.

PHOTO POLICYPortland Parks & Recreation (PP&R) reserves the right, and may give permission to the media, to photograph classes, programs, and participants at any of our facilities and properties or any sponsored activity. Please be aware that these photos are for promotional purposes and may be used in future publications and media communications in any format.

If you do not wish to be photographed, please inform staff and we will make reasonable efforts to honor your request. If you see staff taking pictures, and you do not wish to be photographed, please let us know.

If you see a photo of yourself or a family member that causes you concern, please notify us. As a courtesy, we will make every reasonable effort to dispose of the image, and will not use it in future publications. However, we will not be able to retrieve, destroy or discontinue existing printed publications in which the photograph may have been included.

CUSTOMER SATISFACTIONYour satisfaction is our goal! Portland Parks & Recreation strives for 100% customer satisfaction. If you are not satisfied with a recreation program or service, please let us know.

INFORMATION HOTLINEFor information on other PP&R services & programs, call our Information Hotline at 503-823-PLAY (7529), Monday-Friday, 8:30am-5pm.

INCLEMENT WEATHERIf the City of Portland public school districts (Portland Public, Parkrose, David Douglas, Reynolds, and Centennial) are closed because of weather conditions, PP&R classes and youth basketball in those school districts are cancelled. However, some sites may be open for drop-in activities. Call the specific PP&R facility for information and opening/closing times. If inclement weather is forecast on weekends or holidays, call the PP&R facility or program for operating hours and activity cancellations.

Registration Inform

ationRegister Now – One of Five Ways

CHECK ONE: New Customer Taken class with PP&R before My account information has changed

Main Contact Name _______________________________________________________________________ Birthdate ___________________________ M_____ F_____

CIRCLE ONE: AfricanImmigrant AmericanIndian/AlaskaNative Black/AfricanAmerican Hispanic/Latino NativeHawaiian/PacificIslander White Slavic/Eastern European Immigrant Asian Multi-Racial Other

Home Address ________________________________________________________________________ City/St/Zip _______________________________________________

Home Phone (_________)________________________________________________ Work Phone (_________)_________________________________________________ Cell Phone (_________)_____________________________________________ Email Address _______________________________________________________________

Emergency Contact Name & Phone Number ___________________________________________________________________________________________________

Portland Parks & Recreation welcomes individuals with disabilities and special needs into programs. Please describe any accommodations needed for successful inclusion: _____________________________________________________________________________________________

Please print

CHECK Check number_____________________ (make check payable to the City of Portland)

CREDIT CARD Information

Account # ____ ____ ____ ____ - ____ ____ ____ ____ - ____ ____ ____ ____ - ____ ____ ____ ____ Expires ____________________________________

Cardholder’s Name_____________________________________________________ Signature______________________________________________________________

PAYMENT INFORMATION

VISA

MasterCard

Amex

Name(last,first) Birthdate M/F Class Title Course # Class Location Start Date Cost

PARTICIPANT INFORMATION

ONLINE at PortlandParks.org – Click on the “Register Now!” top tab. Search for classes by age, category, location or keyword – or narrow your search by specific activity or course number.

PHONE – Complete this registration form and call any PP&R site using the phone numbers on the map pages. You may also phone in your registration to the PP&R Customer Service Hotline at 503-823-2525, Monday-Friday, 8:30am-5:15pm. Only Visa, MasterCard or American Express accepted with phone-in registration.

MAIL – Mail your completed registration form to the program center address. Include full payment using your Visa, MasterCard, American Express or check payable to the City of Portland. Mail-in registration is also received at the PP&R Customer Service Center, 1120 SW Fifth Ave, Suite 1302, Portland, OR 97204.

FAX – Complete the registration form and fax it to 503-823-2515 with full payment using your Visa, MasterCard or American Express. Faxes are accepted 24 hours a day, seven days a week, but are processed during regular business hours.

IN PERSON – Any PP&R facility is able to process your registration, including the Customer Service Center located in the lobby of the Portland Building at 1120 SW Fifth Ave. All Community Centers are open for walk-in registration during business hours.

NON-RESIDENTS of the City of Portland pay a 40% surcharge. Or you may purchase a non-resident pass at the amounts listed below. List pass price or 40% surcharge in column at right and add to your total.

I already have a non-resident pass. Duration ______-month Purchase date ______/______/______

Passholder name ________________________________________________________________________________________________

I need a pass. Circle one: 3-month | 6-month | 9-month Circle one: Individual | Family

Name of person(s) needing pass ______________________________________________________________________________

3-month pass: individual $25; family $50 | 6-month pass: individual $45; family $909-month pass: individual $65; family $130

I do not want a pass. I choose to pay the 40% surcharge.

Subtotal

40% non-resident surcharge or

pass price

TOTAL

Southwest Community Center6820 SW 45th Ave Portland, OR 97219

PortlandParks.org

director park - fall 2015

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