All Hands on Deck
Driving a Social Agenda
Local governments
combine resources
to help Veterans
Youth advocacy group has
a new leader
See Local News, page 3
See story, page 4
Volume XLIII
‘City o/Roses’
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Number 45
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www.portlandobserver.com
Wednesday • November 20, 2013
F c t Q h l i c h ^ J i n IQ 7 H
Established in 1970
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C om m itted to C ultural D iversity /
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Community members and officials from Portland Parks & Recreation and the Portland Development Commission take hold of shovels to ceremo­
niously break ground on a $2.6 million renovation project for Dawson Park that honors its rich African-American history.
Dawson Park
renovations begin
Members of the Portland community gathered at Dawson
Park on Thursday to celebrate the start of construction to
restore the park as a key community gathering space while
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honoring its rich African-American history.
The $2.6 million renovation project will make the park more
welcoming and attractive, with an improved playground,
interactive water play feature, barbeques, picnic tables and
benches, and better lighting and accessibility.
Dawson Park, located between North Vancouver and
Williams avenues and Stanton and Morris streets, has served
as an integral social, political and economic center for many
communities - most notably, Portland’s African-American
community.
The neighborhood around Dawson once was the heart of
Portland’s African-American population, and the new park
design will recognize that heritage with double-sided cast-
stone medallions designed by artist Isaka Shamsud-Din to be
placed in a decorative fence surrounding the playground.
One side will be inspired by traditional African Ndebele
patterns; the other side will contain historic neighborhood
remembrances.
“Dawson Park is more than just a park— it’s a symbol of
this neighborhood, North-Northeast Portland and our con­
stant vision for a better city. These improvements are truly
community-driven and we are honored to play a role in the
revitalization of this community asset,’’ said Patrick Quinton,
Portland Development Commission executive director.
Also lending his support for the project was Michael
Alexander, president and chief executive officer of the Urban
continued
on page 15