The Multnomah Villager

So, in the comment string on one of my posts yesterday, Cate (who’s been a very active reader and contributor these last couple of days) asks the following question:

Okay, another question… :-) Is the City going to replace the equipment they took out next to the volleyball courts at Gabriel Park? Or are they going to do something else with that area? (When Parks got rid of equipment at Custer Park, they replaced it. But I heard that equipment was removed because it had lead in it, not because it was beyond repair. Don’t know if that’s true.)

This is a question that longtime readers of this ‘blog will recognize. Last August, I had an email exchange with the Parks Department about this issue. As many of you know, the small slides were removed after being boarded up for some time, as a result of having been vandalized. The slides were not replaced, although we now have a shiny new fence railing where the top of the slides once were. This play area, although primarily for small children, is the only play structure in the entire park. In fact it’s the only “structure” of it’s type since the excercise bars (down by the volleyball courts) were removed, after a prolonged slide into disrepair.

The excerise facility will not be replaced. Well rather not with the same type of facility - since the long-rumored skate park will eventually take over that area as well as the volleyball courts, which will move (allegedly) to the grassy area south of the tennis courts. This, however is still firmly in the “rumor” stage.

In August, I noticed survey marks on the play area and sent an email to Parks, wondering if there were plans afoot to expand the play area. My original post, and the Park’s Department’s response to my email is here. I was told at the time that plans had been, or were in the process of being developed for this site, but that replacing the play structure would involve a plethora of site grading and otherwise very expensive “up to code and ADA standards” improvements. Its no surprise that nothing has been done. There is currently no sign of any of these plans on Park’s website, which is on Portland Online, at this link. Due to the recent Parks Departmen reorganization and the current focus on outdated facilities (Here’s a link to the Tribune’s article about both issues) I should think that the play facilities are pretty far down the list of priorities. You’ll note that the park maintenance structure at Gabriel plays a starring role in these articles about primitive facilities.

It’s time to get back after this issue again. So Cate, there’s your “answer”. Careful what you ask about….

This entry was posted on Thursday, February 8th, 2007 at 9:43 am and is filed under Parks, Skate Park. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.