The Southwest Portland Post., May 01, 2017, Image 1

Community
development
considered along
future light rail line
– Page 7
Multnomah neighbor
successfully lobbies for
new stop sign
– Page 6
The Country
Store: Gurton’s
Plant Shop opens in
Multnomah Village
– Page 4
The Southwest Portland Post
Volume No. 25 Issue No. 7
www.swportlandpost.com
Portland, Oregon
Complimentary
May 2017
Wetland restoration celebration at April Hill Park
By Erik Vidstrand
The Southwest Portland Post
Rain clouds parted just as festivities
began for a long-term restoration
project at April Hill Park. Held on
April 9, over a hundred guests enjoyed
educational exhibits, speeches, and
tours of the wetland improvements.
The Robert Gray Middle School
Marching Band came striding into the
main field as the celebration kicked
off.
Snuggled in the Maplewood
neighborhood, April Hill Park is
located at Southwest 58th Avenue and
Miles Street.
The park has a large playing field, a
small playground, and a port-a-potty,
but the main attraction is the restored
wetland which lies to the south and
lower part of the main park.
The wetlands had been damaged
by off-leash dogs and the spreading
of invasive wetland plants and
soils. According to neighbors and
community activists, wildlife and
water quality were threatened.
The park’s wetland had also been
neglected for years ruined by lack of
trails and seasonal flooding.
In 2009, Portland Parks and
Recreation prioritized a plan for a
boardwalk, observation platforms,
and natural areas. Due to the recession
at the time, repairs could not begin
right away.
The Friends of April Hill Park, under
the guidance of Jill Gaddis, looked for
other ways to help restore the habitat.
In 2013, the group obtained a small
Mike Abbate, Portland Parks and Recreation director, and Metro Councilor Bob Stacey help local children with the grand opening
ribbon cutting ceremony. (Post photo by Erik Vidstrand)
start-up grant from Metro.
“We also received over 400
individual donations,” Gaddis said.
“Portland Parks and Recreation
provided $498,000 [from a voter
approved bond measure] to help
bring this project to fruition.
“The Friends of April Hill Park
held silent auctions and an ‘Arf-in-
the-Park’ fundraiser,” said Gaddis.
“We had many volunteers help with
various tasks and projects.”
Drummers of
the Confederated
Tribes of the Grand
Ronde community
welcomed the
participants.
They reminded
everyone of the
land that once
belonged to
several tribes: the
Chinook, Tualatin
Kalapuya, and
the Multnomah
- a band of the
Chinook Tribe.
C u l t u r a l
protection
specialists shared
baskets and
traditional foods
of nuts and roots of
the native peoples.
Of course, no
celebration is
without political
dignitaries. Metro
Councilor Bob
Stacey and Parks
Director Mike
Carol McCarthy (left) listens to a story by a Native American A b b a t é b o t h
cultural specialist. (Post photo by Erik Vidstrand)
spoke.
while remaining on the footbridges
“I’m much honored to be here,”
and trails. The spirits of the native
Stacey said. “Metro was just a small
people would like that.
partner to help protect the wetlands.
I believe this is the first time we
have had a marching band join
festivities!”
After the speeches subsided,
Stacey and Abbaté helped
coordinate the ribbon cutting
ceremony inviting children up
to help.
Afterwards, guests wandered
down the new path littered with
fallen branches from a recent
wind storm. The new wooden
boardwalk seemed to float over
the wetland. Frogs croaked,
trilliums were in full bloom, and
new fiddle necks popped up
from the mucky mud.
Old cedars draped the
pathways with their embracing
foliage. Some of the children
were warned not to leave the trail
as they were tempted to wade in
the shallow water.
Park officials hope that Visitors enjoy a serene setting overlooking the
everyone, including dogs, can wetlands on the new boardwalks in April Hill
enjoy the beauty of the area, Park. (Post photo by Erik Vidstrand)
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