Friends of Trees
Volunteer! Gateway Green Park Planting Event: Sat, Jan 11, 2020 8:45AM-1PM
By admin - Posted on January 1st, 2020
01/11/2020 - 8:45am
01/11/2020 - 1:00pm
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Join Your NeighborsWhen: Sat Jan 11 2020 8:45AM-1PM |
Volunteers Needed!
Your help is needed at this work party where we will be removing weedy introduced plants and planting native trees and shrubs at the newly developed Gateway Green! Gateway Green offers 25 acres of bike adventure fun. Opening in 2017 and offering a variety of bike trail options, we are excited to be part of the multi-partner efforts to help revegetate the forested slope that borders the eastern edge of this area.
Please arrive by 8:45am to sign-in and enjoy some breakfast treats and coffee, tea, or hot chocolate. The planting starts at 9:00am. We provide gloves, tools, and planting guidance -- all you need to do is show up dressed for the weather wearing sturdy shoes or boots, and be ready to have fun!
Please note: this park is only accessible via the I-205 Multi-Use Path. There is an approximately 10 - 15 minute walk from the Gateway Transit Center. Volunteers are encouraged to bike to the planting or take public transportation to the transit center and walk from there. Thank you for supporting an alternative approach to arriving at this community event!
Under age 18? A signed youth waiver is required for you to volunteer: www.friendsoftrees.org/youthwaiver. We ask that youth 15 years and younger are accompanied by an adult.
This event is in partnership with Friends of Gateway Green and Portland Parks & Recreation with support from REI.
More Info
Please contact Jenny, Pablo, and Carey at (503) 595-0213 or email volunteer@friendsoftrees.org if you have questions or need any further information. We look forward to seeing you out there!
Volunteer! MLK Day Planting Event, Nadaka Nature Park & Garden: Mon, Jan 20, 2020 8:45AM-1PM
By admin - Posted on January 1st, 2020
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01/20/2020 - 8:45am
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Join Your NeighborsWhen: Mon Jan 20, 2020 8:45AM-1PM |
MLK Day of Service
Join this special event on a Monday to celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King Jr's legacy of service and justice by planting trees! We are excited to be hosting this work party where we will be removing weedy introduced and planting native trees and shrubs at Nadaka Nature Park. Nadaka Park is a 12 acre park that serves the diverse residents of East County with a community garden, natural play area, and picnic shelter, providing important access to nature.
Please arrive by 8:45am to sign-in and enjoy some breakfast treats and coffee, tea, or hot chocolate. The planting starts at 9:00am. We provide gloves, tools, and planting guidance -- all you need to do is show up dressed for the weather wearing sturdy shoes or boots, and be ready to have fun!
Under age 18? A signed youth waiver is required for youth to volunteer: www.friendsoftrees.org/youthwaiver. We ask that youth 15 years and younger are accompanied by an adult.
This event is in partnership with Friends of Nadaka Nature Park and with support from the Nature Conservancy and the Boeing Company.
More Info
Please contact Jenny, Pablo, and Carey at (503) 595-0213 or email volunteer@friendsoftrees.org if you have questions or need any further information. We look forward to seeing you out there!
Volunteer! Friends of Trees, Nadaka Nature Park Work Party: Sat Nov 23, 2019 9AM-1PM
By admin - Posted on November 21st, 2019
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11/23/2019 - 9:00am
11/23/2019 - 10:00pm
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Volunteers Needed!When: Sat Nov 23, 2019 9AM-1PM |
Join Your Neighbors!
We are teaming up with Friends of Trees to so some major habitat restoration work at Nadaka!
We need help removing invasive weeds and planting hundreds of young native trees and shrubs throughout the park. Please arrive by 8:45am to sign-in and enjoy some breakfast treats and coffee, tea, or hot chocolate.
We provide gloves, tools, and planting guidance. Please dress for the weather!
See ya there!
SOLV IT Earth Day 2010 Nadaka Nature Park cleanup: Apr 17 9AM-1PM
By admin - Posted on March 21st, 2010
04/17/2010 - 9:00am
04/17/2010 - 1:00pm
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Get a little dirty
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| Wilkes East Neighborhood has received a Metro Nature in Neighborhood grant for improvements in Nadaka Nature Park which requires matching volunteer hours so your support is needed and greatly appreciated. See you at the park! |
When: Apr 17, 2010, Sat 9AM-1PM
Where: Nadaka Nature Park
NE 175th Ave and NE Pacific St
Gresham, OR
Get Map!
Directions
From I-84: Take the 181st exit, travel south, turn right on NE Pacific St.
From Glisan (eastbound): Turn left on NE 172nd Av, turn right on NE Pacific St.
Earth Day at Nadaka
Join other volunteers as we clear invasive plants & beautify Nadaka Nature Park, a 10-acre natural area with a dense forest and inviting meadow.
- Metro Mobile Garden will be here w/native plants & trees to purchase for Nadaka or your own yard.
- Friends of Trees will be here to help plant 4 new large trees in Nadaka
Click here to register with SOLV for this event!.
Rain or Shine! Come dressed for weather and help improve Nadaka Nature Park. Bring working gloves & a water bottle if you have them. Volunteer as long as you can.
Coffee, juice, water & refreshments provided by Wilkes East Neighborhood.
For more information contact Brett Lyon, SOLV Coordinator 503-844-9571 x332, or email brett@solv.org.
UPDATE: Friends of Trees to add new trees at Columbia View park: Jan 9, 2010 10AM
By admin - Posted on January 2nd, 2010
01/09/2010 - 10:00am
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Growing Healthy Communities.
Friends of Trees planting event
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Growing Communities
Friends of Trees has been planting trees in communities for 20 years, helping to reduce air pollution and stormwater runoff, as well as beautifying our neighborhoods.
New Trees for Our Neighborhood
This winter, Friends of Trees is coming to Gresham and conducting a tree planting in the Wilkes East and Kelly Creek neighborhoods. Get neighborhoods map!
In the Wilkes East Neighborhood 3 new Scarlet Oak trees will be planted at the south end of Columbia View Park. These trees were purchased by the City of Gresham thru Friends of Trees who will be assisting with the planting. Volunteers will be needed at Columbia View Park for the planting. Note: time change
UPDATE: The Nadaka Nature Park tree planting event is cancelled. It is rescheduled for March 27, 2010. Watch website for details.
Friends of Trees to add new trees at Nadaka & Columbia View parks: Jan 9, 2010
By admin - Posted on October 13th, 2009
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Growing Healthy Communities...
Friends of Trees planting events
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Growing Communities
Friends of Trees has been planting trees in communities for 20 years, helping to reduce air pollution and stormwater runoff, as well as beautifying our neighborhoods.
New Trees for Neighborhoods!
This winter, Friends of Trees is coming to Gresham and conducting a tree planting in the Wilkes East and Kelly Creek neighborhoods. Get neighborhoods map!
In the Wilkes East Neighborhood 4 new trees will be planted in Nadaka Nature Park, and additional trees will be planted at the south end of Columbia View Park. The trees for Nadaka Nature Park will be purchased thru a Metro Nature in Neighborhood grant obtained by Wilkes East Neighborhood Association and Friends of Nadaka. Volunteers will be needed at both Nadaka and Columbia View for these plantings.
Friends of Trees, Gresham Neighborhood Planting: Mar 21, 2009
By admin - Posted on January 12th, 2009
03/21/2009 - 10:00am
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Friends of Trees comes to Gresham!
1st Neighborhood Planting Mar 21st!
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When: Sunday Mar 21, 2009
Where: Your neighborhood
Gresham OR
1st planting March 2009
On March 21nd 2009 Friends of Trees will be hosting their 1st Neighborhood Planting event in the city of Gresham. Friends of Trees is a non-profit organization that brings communities together to help them expand tree cover in their neighborhoods and to improve their environment.
Benefits are many
Planting a tree in your yard or parking strip creates long lasting benefits enjoyed by everyone! Did you know that trees remove pollutants from the air? A typical tree absorbs 10 pounds of pollutants, cleans 330 pounds of carbon dioxide, and creates 260 pounds of oxygen each year! Trees also help intercept and retain 760 gallons of rainwater each year, which help keep our rivers clean and help save us money on stormwater fees! Trees raise the property value of your home by up to 20%.
NE Wasco St Neighborhood Watch Meeting: Jan 14, 2009
By admin - Posted on December 31st, 2008
01/14/2009 - 7:00pm
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Cypress Park
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When: Wednesday Jan 14, 2009 7:00PM
Where: 17517 NE Wasco St
Gresham OR
Hosted by: Claudette & Dick Naylor
Watch Area Boundaries
Meeting is open to all Cypress Park neighbors in the vicinity of NE Wasco St (between NE 172nd Ave and NE 178th Ave).
Special Guests
Join us to discuss issues we feel are important to our safety with special guest speaker Sgt Marvin Madtson, Gresham Police Department; and enjoy a brief announcement from Friends of Trees on upcoming events in our area.
Youth gardeners cultivate Gresham park
By admin - Posted on March 1st, 2021
Tagged:
PMG PHOTO: CHRISTOPHER KEIZUR - Gresham Mayor Travis Stovall celebrated the youths maintaining Nadaka Nature Park during a visit Thursday morning, March 11.
Source: Gresham Outlook, March 16 2021
By Christopher Keizur
Nonprofit Play Grow Learn celebrates youth-oriented efforts at Nadaka Nature Park
When the winter ice storm hit East Multnomah County earlier this year, it wreaked havoc on a popular Rockwood greenspace.
Nadaka Nature Park had been buffeted by rain, sleet, snow and high-winds. Branches fell across the 10-acre property, young trees had been uprooted, pathways destroyed, and the community garden was a mess.
But for the youths who have been working at Nadaka for the past year, the damage was not daunting. Instead they rolled up their sleeves, grabbed their shovels, and got to work.
"This park is beautiful," said 19-year-old Rico Garland. "We all care about it and helping our community."
Twice a week, 20 youths have been working at Nadaka Nature Park, 17615 N.E. Glisan St., through the nonprofit Play Grow Learn. They plant, weed, and clean the park to ensure it remains a safe and fun place for local families to visit.
The Play Grow Learn youths, ages 15-24, all receive a stipend for their work, and are helping fill the gaps in Gresham when it comes to funding and maintaining parks. For those kids, Play Grow Learn led to the first time they had ever visited Nadaka, despite it being in their community.
"They want to work and take ownership of the park," said Germaine Flentroy, program coordinator with Play Grow Learn. "All it takes is one opportunity."
Now, if not for the youths, the state of Nadaka would be in a much more dire place.
"I'm so grateful (they) are helping maintain this park, because the city isn't able to," said Lee Dayfield, the creative force behind Nadaka.
 PMG PHOTO: CHRISTOPHER KEIZUR - The youths led Gresham leaders on a tour of everything they have accomplished at Nadaka in the past year. |
On Thursday, March 11, those kids were able to showcase their hard work to Gresham Mayor Travis Stovall, who visited Nadaka to learn more about Play Grow Learn's efforts. |
The mayor walked along a newly constructed path through the wooded area, toured the gardens where community members are learning to grow their own healthy produce, and admired the dozens of trees that have been planted. He even got a lesson on how to propagate new plants from cuttings.
"What Play Grow Learn is accomplishing here is incredibly important and impressive," Stovall said. "The best part was listening to their passion about planting trees."
The tour was also a chance for the youths to connect with the new leader of their city. Many were excited to meet "someone famous," and used the opportunity to speak with Stovall about what their communities need.
And of course, they were proud to show Stovall all that has been accomplished at Nadaka.
"Do you see that — we planted those trees," Garland said.
Fund-amental problem
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For many years it has been the same song, different tune in Gresham — the city does not have the funding to support parks. The problems began two decades ago with a pair of ballot measures passed in Gresham that hamstrung the city's ability to fund greenspaces. |
 PMG PHOTO: CHRISTOPHER KEIZUR - Mayor Travis Stovall spoke about the need to find funding mechanisms for Greshams parks. |
The votes set a permanent property tax that was the second lowest in the state.
In 1990, Gresham's property taxes paid for 100% of police and fire services. Now, those taxes are only able to foot 40% of those expenses. And the lion's share goes to public safety, leaving parks to wither.
"It's about funding mechanisms to get our parks to a new level," Stovall said.
One solution would be to form a parks district, which the city is investigating with a feasibility study. The district would have the power to construct, reconstruct, alter, enlarge, operate and maintain lakes, parks, recreation grounds and buildings; acquire necessary lands; and to call necessary elections after being formed.
But it is difficult to implement, and necessitates city leadership lessening control over greenspaces and a successful public vote. Other solutions include a new parks utility fee; increasing the existing Police-Fire-Parks fee; or vying for an Operations Levy/Bond Measure, which would collect from property taxes.
A group within the community, including Dayfield and other leaders at Nadaka, have also requested participatory budgeting when it comes to parks, which allows for community input in how to spend funds.
"Years ago the city had to cut parks and recreation programs, which was really hard on the community," said Keri Handaly, who works with the Nadaka kids through Gresham's water resources division. "Programs like Play Grow Learn help bring back those needed services."
While there are no easy answers, the work being done by youths at Nadaka highlight a potential future for the city's parks.
"We are doing the stuff that otherwise isn't going to get done, and showing the city what can be accomplished with a shoestring budget," said Anthony Bradley, executive director of Play Grow Learn.
Seeking support
 PMG PHOTO: CHRISTOPHER KEIZUR - Play Grow Learn youths are filling in the gaps at Nadaka Nature Park. |
Play Grow Learn is thriving at Nadaka thanks to a coalition of partners all coming together. Friends of Nadaka lends guidance and has continued its ambassador program. |
Vanessa Chambers and Rhonda Combs continuing oversight at the park, tidying the playground and ensuring the space remains safe and welcome to the many families who visit.
City staff and Friends of Trees visit to provide expertise; Adam Kohl and Outgrowing Hunger operate the community garden and assist in securing grants; East Multnomah Soil & Water Conservation District provides funding; and Metro Regional Government and East County Rising both have backed the nonprofit organization.
The latest partnership is with PGE Project Zero, which will send two interns this summer to help Play Grow Learn at Nadaka.
"The program connects young folks with meaningful employment," Taaj Armstrong, cohort dean for Project Zero's green jobs internship program. "We are so excited to partner with Play Grow Learn."
But everything Play Grow Learn is accomplishing remains on unstable ground.
"This all could be gone tomorrow," Flentroy said. "We are surviving on short-term grants and solutions."
Play Grow Learn requires more support to keep going, and they hope the visit from Mayor Stovall might signal future backing from the city of Gresham. The nonprofit organization needs more stable funding and in-kind support to continue teaching youths skills and keeping them out of dangerous situations.
"I believe the support is out there," Bradley said.
If they can secure it, Play Grow Learn has a bright vision for Gresham. They want similar programs in every East Multnomah County park, with teams of teens caring for greenspaces, learning valuable skills, and finding future employment opportunities.
"We all have to do our part to represent and teach kids of color," Flentroy said.
Support Play Grow Learn
To volunteer or provide donations to Play Grow Learn to back its efforts to teach youths valuable skills, email Anthony Bradley anthonybradleypgl@gmail.com or Germaine Flentroy gflentroypgl@gmail.com.
This story first appeared in The Outlook. Support community newspapers. Subscribe at http://savinglocalnews.com
Download the Wilkes East Neighborhood Spring 2019 Newsletter here!
By admin - Posted on March 1st, 2019
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2019 Spring Newsletter"Diversity, Harmony, Community - |
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Inside This Issue:
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Download your copy here. (includes active web links)
Newsletters are a regular publication of the Wilkes East Neighborhood Association. They are hand-delivered to over 1,500 residences and businesses in our area 3 times per year, timed to correspond with our regular meetings.
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