Tag: Portland Parks and Recreation Department

Working Around Laurelhurst Park

Dear Liza,

I went for a walk around Laurelhurst the other day between the rains, and there was a lot going on!

These lovely people were working at the horse shoe pits, cleaning up the edges and digging out the mud to make them beautiful and useable for the next season.

They are, left to right, Kimber, Brian, Taylor and Dylan. They all work for the Portland Parks Department, and Dylan works full time at Laurelhurst.

The horse shoe pits are his “Passion Project”, approved and funded by the City, with work done by he and his friends.

There are about ten sets of horse shoe pits, so this is a big job. I am so glad our park has such enthusiastic support!

On my way out of the park, I ran into this fellow sweating at a giant puddle. He was trying to unclog a storm drain, working with a regular household broom and a pick-up stick, neither of which were doing the job very well.

Every time he got a spot draining, a glob of leaves would wash in and stop it up again.

As we chatted, a City truck came by and checked in, and seeing the need, the driver pulled over. He pulled out a fine strong crowbar and, after just a few strokes, got the blockage cleared.

Now the puddle won’t block traffic or make a mess for dogs and bikes.

With our rainy season just picking up speed, these improvements will keep our park in good shape for years to come.
Love,

Grandma Judy

Urban Agriculture

Dear Liza,

With the weather getting warmer and sunnier (in between showers) the gardens of Southeast Portland are flourishing. And not just flower gardens, although the roses, peonies, ranunculous, chrysanthemums and Shasta daisies are going berserk.

The city of Portland has 53 community gardens. These are empty lots in residential areas which have been built up with raised beds, fenced and gated. People put their name on a waiting list, wait their turn, and get their hands dirty! These gardens are part of Portland Parks and Recreation Department and are a wonder to see.

All winter the gardens wait in the rain, their plots under cardboard (to keep the weeds down) or gloriously muddy. Around March, intrepid Portlanders head out in boots and slickers to place stakes or build teepees. And by June, things are busting out all over!

Yesterday while we were out walking we saw sunflowers higher than my head, beds of lettuce, and waves of berry bushes. Climbing devices await peas, beans and tomatoes. Joyful gardeners smile idiotically with the sheer joy of sunshine and soil.

Of course, with all this love of agriculture, not everyone is willing to wait for their turn in the community garden. Some folks just plant their dream farm right in their own front yard! Many yards are overshadowed by giant trees, but those with sunlight find a way.

My parents were suburban farmers. They fortified the sandy soil of Manhattan Beach, California and grew carrots, lettuce and kohlrabi. We had fruit trees and artichokes. I currently have no burning need to become an urban gardener, but it is nice to know there is a way, should the need arise.

Love,

Grandma Judy