February 07, 2024
Page 3
BLACK HISTORY MONTH 2024
INSIDE L ocaL N ews
Arts &
ENTERTAINMENT
page 7-8
c Lassified /B ids
pages 10
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16 Acres in SE
Portland Transformed
Errol Heights
Park Project
Completed
Southeast Portland’s reimag-
ined Errol Heights Park is now
open, with work substantial-
ly complete. Portland Parks &
Recreation (PP&R) just com-
pleted work at the 16-acre de-
veloped park and natural area,
located in the Brentwood-Dar-
lington neighborhood. The proj-
ect included restoring natural
habitat, establishing wildlife
viewing spots, improving trails
and constructing paths for bet-
ter accessibility, and putting in
a new playground, picnic areas,
and splash pad.
After planning, permitting,
and robust community engage-
ment starting in 2018, the major-
ity of construction was complet-
ed by December, with some final
touches undergoing completion.
While Errol Heights Park is
ready for visitors today, PP&R
will wait until spring when
weather conditions are more fa-
vorable to host its free, public
grand opening celebration.
Errol Heights Park is open
The park design focused on
being accessible for people of
all abilities and is receiving
praise for achieving that goal.
“I was at the new Errol Heights
Park recently,” says former Port-
land Parks Board member Ian
Jaquiss, who uses a wheelchair.
“I was able to easily navigate all
parts of it. And, I have to say,
that is the most accessible, beau-
tiful park I have seen.”
“Errol Heights Park has long
been a beloved community
gathering spot focused on na-
ture and habitat,” says Portland
Culture & Livability Commis-
sioner Dan Ryan, who oversees
PP&R. “But with the new fea-
tures which increase accessibil-
ity, more people can get around
and enjoy the unique space. The
elevated walkway, playground,
and splash pad are just some of
the new park features which are
simply wonderful.”
“We have reimagined what a hy-
brid park and natural area can be,”
says PP&R Director Adena Long.
“Restored wetlands and wildlife
viewing spots complement new
play areas and picnic grounds.
This is an impressive, unique, and
beautiful Portland park!”
From the Ballroom to the Classroom
Leader Taking
Role to the
Next Level
For Nathaniel Kung, 17, at-
tending Portland Community
College satisfies his intellectual
curiosity and enriches an already
complex life. The Sunset High
School honor roll student, math-
lete, and national ballroom dance
competitor started Early College
High School just last year but is
now also leading the Associated
Students of PCC as its president.
“I chose to attend PCC be-
cause it perfectly aligns with my
academic interests as an Early
College student,” said Kung,
who intends to earn an associate
degree before transferring to a
four-year university. “The higher
level of academic rigor at PCC
compared to my high school ed-
ucation is particularly appeal-
ing.”Describing himself as a big
believer in the power of critical
Student Body President and dance aficionado, Nathaniel Kung, is
connecting students to resources and opportunity
thinking and problem-solving,
he enjoys tackling challenges.
With an admitted “soft spot for
finance” and a desire to dabble
in business, he thinks combining
these specialties with engineer-
ing will enable him to approach
problems from a unique perspec-
tive to make a greater impact.
Besides studying, Kung is
also representing student voic-
es and advocating for student
needs by serving as the student
representative on the PCC Board
of Directors for 2023-2024.“By
being a part of and actively en-
gaging with the decision-mak-
ing process at PCC, I can help
bring student input into spaces
that shape policies, advocate for
Continued on Page 8