North Portland news...
Nov 11,2008
Naturally, It's Public Art
by Allison
Last week, when lauding the restorative attributes of Smith & Bybee Lakes , I regretfully omitted a key feature of the refuge: the public art. It's an unlikely place to see art considering there is already so much visual and aural stimuli, but that didn't stop the Regional Arts and Culture Council from commissioning artists Valerie Otani and Fernanda D'Agostina. Many of the sculptures are located around the Smith & Bybee Lakes parking lot off of Marine Drive, which makes for a nice rest stop (there are bathrooms available) should you be on your bike. However, if you have time to explore the lakes and refuge, keep your eyes peeled because some of the works are more integrated with the landscape. While you're out exploring the Columbia Slough area on bike or by car, you might consider a stop at the Columbia Boulevard Wastewater Treatment Plant . Sure it smells a little, but the folks at Environmental Services have made an attempt to create something of beauty a
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posted at 12:14 PM
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Nov 4,2008
Decompress at Smith & Bybee Lakes
by Allison
No matter your party affiliation there's little doubt we will all need some down time following the election day madness. A restorative yoga or kick boxing class would help to relieve pent up anxiety but then again, so would something as simple as a walk in nature. While Forest Park offers that rich rain forest ambiance, I've found Smith & Bybee Lakes to be an incredibly calming sanctuary, and at sunset with the autumn leaves in every shade of yellow, it's truly magical. Local bird watchers like to think of it as the area's best kept secret. They could be right, it's not unusual to be the only person there, any time of year. Located near the confluence of the Columbia and Willamette Rivers, a couple miles east of Kelly Point Park, Smith & Bybee Wetlands is a little over 2000 acres and one of the largest urban freshwater wetlands in the U.S. It not only functions as a flood absorption system for the Columbia River, but also provides a protected wetland habitat for 100 species
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posted at 07:50 AM
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Oct 20,2008
Save A Turkey—Don't Swim in Neighborhood Pools
by pearlgirl
Unless, of course, you like eating turkey at Thanksgiving... This fall, enter to win a free turkey every time you go for a swim at one of Portland Parks & Recreation's five indoor pools. It's all part of the 5th Annual Turkey Swim. Beginning Thursday, November 1 through Sunday, November 22, Portland's public pools will be handing out an entry form for each paid admission to an Aquatics program, such as Lap Swim or Open Play Swim. The entries at each pool will be placed in a drawing to win a frozen turkey at that location.On Monday, November 23, each of the five pools will draw a name and the five lucky winners will have a turkey on PP&R.
PP&R Indoor Pools
Buckman
Buckman Pool, 320 SE 16th Avenue
503.823.3668
Portsmouth
Columbia Pool, 7701 N Chautauqua Blvd.
503.823.3669
Eliot
Dishman Pool, 77 NE Knott
503.823.3673
Mt Scott–Arleta Mt. Scott Pool, 5530 SE 72nd Avenue 50
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posted at 12:32 PM
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Aug 15,2008
Keep Cool In Neighborhood Pools
by pearlgirl
Portlanders can find relief from temperatures over 100 degrees today and tomorrow by taking refuge in their city's parks and pools. From a shady walk in Forest Park to a picnic dinner under the trees in your neighborhood park, from a dip in a community pool to a splash in a spray fountain, Portland Parks & Recreation (PP&R) offers many free or inexpensive opportunities to escape from the heat.To help the public beat the summer heat, in addition to PP&R's twelve community pools, there are extended hours at wading pools for young children, as well as free spray features in the city's parks to help children have a safe and cool summer. For those that prefer parks and trails to pools, there are also thousands of shade-providing trees and over 10,000 acres of parks and natural areas where Portlanders can catch a breeze.
For members of the public participating in sports and other strenuous activities during extreme hot weather, Parks officials advise t
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posted at 02:57 PM
2 comments
Aug 9,2008
McCormick and Baxter Superfund Site the Next Burnside for Skateboarders?
by shooter
The Sentinel recently published this story about skateboards making a new "Burnside" skate park in North Portland. It's a good story, and I think the addition of skateboard ramps is awesome. It's indoors so it can be used year round. Check out their story , it includes a slide show.The story refers to the site by the address, 5828 N Van Houten Place. I know it as the McCormick and Baxter Creosoting Company superfund site .
Photographers, dog walkers, and graffiti artists have been visiting the site for years. At some point, after much of the contamination was removed, people found gaps in the fence and started using the site.
I like the place because it's very photogenic. Some of the images in my recent show are from here. And you knew I'd include some of those didn't you? Photos © Kenenth Aaron, Neighborhood Notes
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posted at 01:50 PM
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Jul 21,2008
Stumptown Challenge Winners
by pearlgirl
Portland's first urban adventure challenge— the Stumptown Challenge —took place on Saturday. Neighborhood Notes was one of the event sponsors and we hosted a drawing for four $50 gift cards to Kenny and Zuke's deli. The winners: 1. Eamon Driscoll 2. Michael Vitti 3. Tracy McFarlane 4. Albert Khine ***we'll contact the winners tomorrow for mailing addresses. Congratulations!
posted at 08:34 PM
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Jul 11,2008
Upgrades Planned for Cathedral Park
by pearlgirl
The views of historic St Johns bridge will just keep getting better... Read about the proposed plans for Cathedral Park in today's article at the Daily Journal of Commerce.
posted at 09:19 AM
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Jul 11,2008
Retirees Take a Swing at Portland
by pearlgirl
US News & World Report has ranked Portland in its top ten places to retire —for golf nuts! Unfamiliar with Oregon's great golfing choices? Check out all of the private and public courses on OregonGolf.com .
posted at 08:24 AM
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Jul 7,2008
10 Free Family Bike Rides
by pearlgirl
Portland Wheelmen Touring Club offers some fun rides especially for families and novice riders. An adult must accompany children and all riders must wear helmets. Arrive early. Group departs at time listed. Sunday, July 6 Vancouver Lake/Columbia River 10:00 am 15 miles Start at Vancouver Lake Park. I-5 to Mill Plain (Vancouver) Take Exit 1D/Fourth Plain Blvd. Go west (left) about 5 miles and follow signs to the Lake (on your right). The parking will cost about $2. We'll ride on low traffic roads country from Vancouver Lake Park, past French Bar Park and Caterpillar Island to the end of Old River Road and back. This will be a very scenic, family friendly ride. Ride Leader: Bill Hamilton 503-961-4184 or bill@simple.be Saturday, July 20 Smith and Bybee Lakes 10:00 am 8 miles
Start at the Princeton Trailhead at North Princeton and Carrey Streets off Willamette Blvd. to ride along the Peninsula Crossing Trail to the Smith and Bybee Wetland Area. Brin
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posted at 08:44 AM
1 comments
Jun 23,2008
Keep Cool In Portland Pools
by pearlgirl
Mill Park is getting a spanky new aquatic center. According to today's article in the Daily Journal of Commerce , one of the goals for this facility is to achieve the LEED platinum designation. Not only is this pool center green , it's massive to boot—clocking in at 25,000 feet! If you're new to Portland, you may be wondering where all the pools are hiding. We actually have a pretty impressive collection of indoor and outdoor pools with amenities sure to please the most discriminating sun (or shelter) seeker. Outdoor Pools Creston Pool , SE 44th Ave & Powell Blvd Outdoor, 25-yard shallow pool and 25-yard deep pool with drop slide and a kiddie slide, heated to 84 degrees. Water depths range from 2 feet to 8 feet.Grant Pool , NE 33rd Ave & US Grant Place Outdoor, 25-yard shallow pool with kiddie slide and 25-yard deep pool, heated to 84 degrees. Water depths range from 2 feet to 8 feet.
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posted at 10:33 AM
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