Friday May 18, 2012
For Immediate Release
Regional funding improves access to West Gresham nature park and supports community garden
On May 17th the Metro Council awarded $238,000 in capital funding to the Nadaka Nature Park and Garden Project, building momentum to this community-driven garden and nature park project in West Gresham. The competitive Metro grant award comes from capital bond funds approved by voters as part of the 2006 Regional Natural Areas Bond Measure and will support new park features like a nature based-play area, rain garden, community garden and more. The new funding adds to over $150,000 in existing financial support from East Multnomah Soil and Water Conservation District, Meyer Memorial Trust and the City of Gresham. To date, the project includes over $40K in volunteer hours and in-kind donations.
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Nadaka Nature Park and Garden Project is an outgrowth of past voter-approved open space bond measures and recent community efforts which secured public ownership of the 10-acre natural area and an adjacent 2-acre neighborhood park site on the border of Wilkes East and Rockwood Neighborhoods. |
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A diverse mix of seventeen organizations including neighborhood associations, crime prevention groups, churches, schools, social service agencies, natural resource conservation groups, and local governments are collaborating on the project to expand and improve access to nature in the Rockwood Town Center while creating local jobs and improving access to healthy food. |
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Project collaborators are currently raising funds and creating construction documents to develop the 2-acre nature-based neighborhood park located next to St. Aidan’s Episcopal Church on NE Glisan (17405 Northeast Glisan Street). Based on a City-approved Master Plan, this new neighborhood park will include a community garden, orchard and berry patch, natural meadow, pathways, restrooms, nature-based play area, and a community gathering area. By adding 60 new community garden plots this project would double the number of plots in the City of Gresham, improve garden plot distribution, and help reach Multnomah County’s Climate Action Plan goal of 1,000 new garden plots by 2012. The innovative project is developing and implementing a 5-year operation and maintenance plan to enhance habitat, remove invasive species and diseased trees, and provide a variety of nature-based education programming related to wildlife, gardening, and stormwater management. Both capital improvements and the operation and maintenance plan aim to create local jobs and workforce training opportunities. Individuals interested in getting involved are encouraged to attend the May 30th Nadaka Nature Park and Garden Project Committee meeting (see details below).
Donations Sought
The Nadaka Nature Park and Garden Project is seeking cash and in-kind donations from individuals and business to implement the Master Plan. We need donated labor, planting materials, gravel and soil amendments, and other materials and supplies. Cash donations will also help us achieve our fundraising goals. Please contact Jane Van Dyke at jane.vandyke@columbiaslough.org to find out how you can help.
Discover Nadaka: 2012 Spring & Summer Events
We invite residents and supporters to get involved by joining us at a series of spring and summer events to celebrate and improve Nadaka while building momentum for implement the City-adopted Master Plan. These events include:
- May 24th: Nadaka Nature Park Clean-Up, 9am-Noon. Meet at the north entrance to Nadaka Nature Park located along NE Pacific Street between NE 175th and 176th
- May 30th: Nadaka Project Committee Meeting at St. Aidan’s Church (17405 Northeast Glisan Street), 9:00 to 11:30 AM. Please join us in this collaborative effort. For info contact Jane Van Dyke (jane.vandyke@columbiaslough.org, 503-281-1132)
- May 31: Audubon Society of Portland Morning Bird Walk, 7:30AM – 8:30AM. Meet at the north entrance to Nadaka Nature Park located along NE Pacific Street between NE 175th and 176th
- June: Nadaka Project Committee Meeting and Site Tour. Date/Time TBD. For info contact Jane Van Dyke (jane.vandyke@columbiaslough.org, 503-281-1132)
- July: Nadaka Nature Park Clean-Up, Date & Time TBD.
6.August 11, Nadaka Community Festival & Clean-Up, 9:00am to 3:00pm. This annual event will include food, music, games and activities for youth, Audubon Society of Portland’s education birds, and more! Come out and celebrate Nadaka! - September: Nadaka Nature Park Clean-Up, Date & Time TBD
Event Updates at www.friendsofnadaka.org. More Nadaka Nature Park & Garden project info here.
Supporters
Nadaka Nature Park is supported in part through the generous efforts of these organizations: (Hover supporter's logo for additional information)
