I got suckered into leading the skatepark cleanup at Pier Park again. Come on down and help with graffiti removal and trash pickup around the skatepark. Here are the details:
Project Date and Time: 4/19/2008 – 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM
Site Address: N. St. John Street & N. James Street Portland
Directions to Site: Cross the St. Johns Bridge at Highway 30. Turn left on Lombard and right on St. Johns. The Park will be on your left at North James St.
Parking/Meeting Location: Ample street park available along N. James St. Meet at the covered picnic area.
Clean graffiti at the skatepark. There will be a small barbeque after the Pier Park Pick-Up for volunteers. Snacks and beverages available during the event.
Following are some general items to keep in mind when planning your participation:
* Please bring work gloves.
* This event will take place rain or shine! Dress appropriately for the weather, but plan on long pants, long sleeves and sturdy shoes or boots, even if it’s warm.
* Mark tools or other items you bring with your name and phone number.
* Parents/Group Leaders must accompany and supervise children.
Hope to see you there.
9 comments
carvin marvin
put up a good piece instead, removal is a waste of time
LP
kilwag, tags is for fags. oh yeah, i thought for awhile before typing that.
JF
Glenhaven needs a good clean-up/trash removal as well. Kids just don’t give a shit and leave their pizza boxes and big gulps all over the place….lamo.
soreknee
Do you need anything other than volunteers?
I could bring a big box of garbage bags.
conahan
Portland Parks will be providing all supplies, Graffiti remover, scrubbers, paint, rollers and brushes. We just need to provide the elbow grease.
Livmo
Good on you guys for doing stuff like this
MJ
What a COMPLETE waste of time!
Do you want to do this every single month?
WHERE the F are the city park and rec guys?
WHY do we waste our hard earned dollars paying State taxes for then? Not to take on this responsibility ourselves?
Get Jay Meer out there and commission him to do something creative!
bobcat
http://www.sleestak.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=4218&highlight=
Tom Miller
The unwritten policy is that Parks will clean up sites where the community expects Parks to keep the site clean. If you live in Portland or otherwise recognize these places, think: Pioneer Square, Washington Par, Eastbank Esplanade, etc. Without the expectation, it will slide.
In the case of Pier, the neighborhood (St. Johns) has a disproportionately high share of graffiti compared to most of the city. And the old skatepark was a regular target. As such, graffiti became part of people’s expectations. It’s no coincidence that Parks let it slide.
As for why the cleanup, it’s a matter of respect. It’s a shame one idiot paired with one can of spray paint can have such an adverse impact. Mark’s been leading this charge the last few years and he deserves credit.
Besides, we’d like to expand the park and that’s easier to accomplish when we can demonstrate we’re a good neighbor.
Thanks,
Tom