City of Gresham News, Community Activities, Workshops & More

Neighborhood Connections is a publication from the City of Gresham Communications & Community Outreach offering City of Gresham news, Public Safety information, Community Activities & Events, Training & Workshops, Volunteer Opportunities, and more.

Inside this Issue

• Get Outside and Get Healthy
• Skatepark Opening Celebration
• Historic Certified Local Government Project
• Love Your Lawn: Leave It Alone
• Music Mondays at the Center for the Arts Plaza
• It’s Not Too Late to Plant Your Garden
• Seven Mediators Join East Metro Mediation
• Party on the Plaza: Street Dance
• We’d Like Your Green Opinion
• National Night Out – August 3
• Summer Paving Projects Start
• Gresham SmartTrips – Learn How This Summer
• Wanted: Stream Stewards and Watershed Warriors
• Rockwood in Motion – Get Project News by E-Mail Opt-In

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Gresham Neighborhoods listing

For more information, visit the Neighborhood Associations page at GreshamOregon.gov or contact Cathy Harrington at 503-618-2482, or email Cathy.Harrington@GreshamOregon.gov.

Nelson Neighborhood Park Master Plan Click to enlarge

Public forums, citizen input and design changes complete City Council approves Nelson Neighborhood Park Master Plan

The Gresham City Council approved and adopted the Nelson Property Neighborhood Park Master Plan at the June 1, 2010 City Council meeting.

About Nelson

The Nelson Property is a 2.0-acre parcel located adjacent to and south of the City-owned Nadaka Nature Park, fronting NE Glisan Street at NE 176th. Click here for a vicinity map of the area.

The second Nelson Property Neighborhood Park Master Plan Community Forum was held March 31st. At this forum the Preferred Design Alternative was presented which took into account comments from the Parks & Recreation Advisory Subcommittee, Urban Forestry Subcommittee, January 20 Community Forum, Metro Parks & Greenspaces, East Multnomah Soil & Water Conservation District and City staff.

The Master Plan includes approximately 1/3 of the property to be community gardens and orchard. There will also be picnic tables, a nature-based play area, and public restrooms. A walking loop will connect the Nelson Neighborhood Park with Nadaka Nature Park. (It will be necessary for citizens to obtain addtitional grant monies to develop the Nelson property.) The Nelson Property Summary Report and Community Forum Summary Reports are available on the City's website here.

Background

In 2009 the Wilkes East Neighborhood Association and Friends of Nadaka successfully obtained a Metro Nature in Neighborhoods Capital Grant, a grant from the East Multnomah Soil & Water Conservation District and a donation from the Nelson Family Trust to purchase the 2 arce site for use as a neighborhood park. The Trust For Public Lands negotiated the purchase.

New MAX Station, 188th & Burnside Click to enlarge

Defining Rockwood's Town Center Change is on the horizon!

Let the projects begin!

Look for big changes starting this summer, as the Gresham Redevelopment Commission begins transforming the face of Central Rockwood with a distinctive urban design.

"Rockwood in Motion" projects will benefit residents and businesses alike by providing a fresh new look for the area, improving safety and access to MAX, and jump-starting investment in the Rockwood Triangle. All while reinforcing the message that Rockwood is a special part of Gresham.

Expect Traffic Delays

Infrastructure improvement projects have already started in some Central Rockwood areas with all projects expected to be underway by June 1.

Click here for Construction Updates.

Burnside widening New Rockwood MAX stations 188th/187th Avenue Realignment SE Stark Boulevard Phase II Former Fred Meyer Site (See project details below)

Construction Map. Click to enlarge

Click to enlarge

Just Say No! Then, quickly close your door Don't let these pushy salespeople take "Advanage" of you

Aggressive and rude!

Several Capri Terrace residents in West Gresham's Wilkes East Neighborhood have reported being confronted by "pretty darn aggressive" and somewhat rude salespeople going door-to-door selling ADVANAGE cleaning sprays for Georgia based T&B Sales. This company has a sketchy reputation and many complaints for its over-the-top high-pressure sales tactics - dating back to their beginning in 2000.

One neighbor said "I had to be aggressive right back in order to shoo him away, I thought his tactics were a bit peculiar. His foot-in-the door antics was a bit unnerving to me".

Reports of T&B Sales representatives going doot-to-door selling Advanage cleaner without a permit or license have appeared recently in local newspapers from Portland to Longview and on several television stations warning area residents -- including this May 21st story on KGW TV's website.

"Don't even engage them in conversation," said one local sheriff's community policing office. "Just explain to them that you're not interested and close the door."

T&B sales has a troubled history in Oregon. In 2008, the attorney general's office issued a consumer alert after sales reps were charged with fraud, theft and illegal drug activity.

If a T&B Sales representative comes to your door you should contact your local police non-emergency telephone number. In Gresham the non-emergency number is 503-823-3333.

Joyce Henstrand

Board appoints interim leader for one year beginning July 1 The Reynolds School Board voted unanimously Thursday, May 13, to appoint Joyce Henstrand – currently the interim superintendent – the district’s permanent superintendent until June 30, 2011.

Source: The Gresham Outlook (May 14, 2010)

The board has been searching for a permanent superintendent for the past five months, and Henstrand had not applied for the position. However, Theresa Delaney Davis, the board chairwoman, said the board did not believe any of the candidates it had interviewed “was a perfect match,” and added the board was impressed with Henstrand’s work as interim superintendent.

“Since January 2010, we’ve seen remarkable progress toward our goals,” Davis said. “The district is operating within an improved organizational structure, there was increased transparency in the budget process, staff morale is improving and additional resources and supports for the students are being actively sought.

“We are pleased that Dr. Henstrand will continue the exceptional job she has been doing,” Davis said, noting, for example, that the district expects “significant” improved state test results this year.

Stretch your grocery dollars at the farmers market! Enjoy the best produce and products, flowers, and plants starts direct from the garden.

Healthy and fresh

Farmer’s Markets are a fantastic source for fresh, seasonal, locally produced foods, and artisan products. Plus, there are activities and fun for the whole family. So come experience the market. Meet the vendors. Meet other cooks. Enjoy the freshest produce and products. Make your own statement in support of local food!

(Grow your own vegetables? Click here for Portland Nursery's 12-month "Veggie Calendar" planting guide)

Details on these area markets can be found below.

• Fairview Farmers' & Artists' Market
• Gresham Farmers Market
• Hollywood Farmers' Market
• Lents International Farmers' Market
• Lloyd Farmers Market
• Montavilla Farmers Market
• Parkrose Farmers Market
• Portland Farmers Market
• Troutdale Farmers' and Artists' Market

You'll find plenty of root vegitables, braising greens and lettuces, and of course plant starts for your own vegetable garden.

Bring your reusable shopping bags and plenty of small bills, though some of the markets will trade you a credit/debit card for wooden tokens that all vendors accept, which can be easier to handle than cash. We've indicated those markets that accept Oregon Trail or other food assistant coupons - more access to good food for all.

Video: KPTV Fox12 Oregon. Click to view

Earth Day 2010 comes early to Nadaka Nature Park Invasives removed, new trees added to the meadow

Earth Day wasn't until April 22nd, but SOLV volunteers got an early start Saturday April 19th by cleaning up 200 sites throughout Oregon -- including Nadaka Nature Park in West Gresham. Check-out this video.

NW View. Click to enlarge

After years of promises and delays Rockwood will finally get it's courthouse - once the funding is approved

Source: Willamette Week, OPB News (April 22, 2010)

After years of delays and missteps, Multnomah County commissioners unanimously approved the design for a new East County Courthouse in Rockwood.

The state ordered the county during the 1960's to have a courthouse in East Multnomah county. And there is a court -- but it's little more than one room in the old Gresham City Hall that's overcrowded and run down. But that's all going to change with the approval of a new courthouse in Rockwood's town center.

“I know this is a building. But it represents more than the stones, bricks and glass we see on paper,” said Commissioner Diane McKeel, who represents East County on the five-member board. “It represents commitment to an area left behind for too long.”

The plans call for a 40,000-square-foot building with three courtrooms (and space for more in the future) to handle misdemeanors and traffic cases.

Halsey Street facility to supplant three East County grocery store collectors

Source: The Gresham Outlook (Apr 19, 2010)

Oregon’s first beverage container redemption center will open this summer in Wood Village.

The Oregon Liquor Control Commission (OLCC) approved an application from the Portland-based Oregon Beverage Recycling Cooperative (OBRC) for the proposed center at 23345 NE. Halsey St.

When it opens this summer, the facility will redeem beverage containers of all types and brands. It marks the first time since 1971 the state has authorized a redemption-only center separate from local grocery stores.

Once opened, beverage containers will no longer be accepted at Fred Meyer, Wood Village; Safeway, Cherry Park Road; and Wal-Mart, Wood Village. Instead, the containers will be taken at the Halsey Street Redemption Center as well as smaller retailers in the area.

Chief Craig Junginger Gresham Police Department

Calls for police services increased in 2009 Violent crime is down, theft & vandelism rise, response times improve

First Annual Report Issued

Gresham Police Chief Craig Junginger recently released the first annual report for the Gresham Police Department. The report summarizes crime and accident data, police programs, and personnel highlights from 2009.

Highlights of the report include the activities of the three divisions of the police department, the department's community involvement, and 2009 crime statistics.