Park Market, Park Petiquette

In other park-related news, the new South Waterfront Farmers Market starts tomorrow!

When: Thursday, June 14, 3:00-7:00pm
Where: E.C. Park across from Umpqua Bank

More info from South Waterfront Community Relations - Vendor line-up:

• Produce:  Thompson Farms
• Produce:  Little Gnome Farms
• Smoked Salmon:  Columbia River Smoked Salmon
• Bakery:  Pearl Bakery
• Creamery:  Alsea Acre Goat Cheese
• Charcuterie:  Olympic Provisions
• Honey and Skincare:  Mickelberry Gardens
• Gelato:  Gelato Meistro
• Prepared Food:  The Hummus Stop
• Hard Apple Cider:  Wandering Aengus Ciderworks
• Hot Food:  Renaissance Wood Fired Pizza
• Hot Food:  Coonhound Crepes

For the Dog Walkers - some new signs popped up in Elizabeth Caruthers today:

Park fountain turning on soon

There have been some rumors swirling around regarding the Elizabeth Caruthers Park fountain being shut down for the summer. The fountain had been running back around Mothers' Day weekend, but has been noticeably dry for the last few weeks. Further, the Portland Parks budget cuts were being implicated as the reason for said shut-down.

Dry E.C. park fountain on June 10

The Portland Parks & Rec budget posted online did not provide any details on this. So, I contacted the Portland Parks Commissioner (Nick Fish) to investigate!

I promptly heard back from the Commissioner's office with the following:
"...The fountains are shut off during the winter months, and are inspected in the spring to ensure there are no repairs needed.  The Parks Bureau has informed me that the Caruthers Fountain should be on in a matter of days..."

Very good news!

E.C. park fountain on Mothers' Day

As I thought about it, I was really quite sad to envision our summer without this fountain. We don't really have any other child-friendly features or playgrounds in the neighborhood or within walking distance.  And with the growing numbers of babies and children in the neighborhood, this fountain gets used!  It has become a meeting point and a focal point in our little park.

That said, I think a playground would be a very nice addition...anyone else?!

Improvement to Slippery Walkways

The treacherous Elizabeth Caruthers Park walkways which I wrote about in November have been given a surface-roughening treatment. I did a test this week and found the slip-factor greatly improved.

Before:

E.C. Park - November 2011

 After:
If you look closely, you can see the marks where the wood has been roughened to offer more traction and grip.

E.C. Park - April 2012

E.C. Park - April 2012

This seems to be very effective in the wet, rainy conditions. Please continue to be cautious, especially if there is frost and ice.

Hurray for the Portland Parks crew for addressing this issue!

Caution: Slippery Walkways

Beautiful but hazardous?

This is just a pedestrian safety alert about the slippery wooden pathways in Elizabeth Caruthers Park this time of year. A friend of mine slipped and fell last week, and I heard reports from several others. When I scoped it out this weekend, it was not raining, but the frost was still on the shaded paths at noon, and they were indeed very slippery.

12pm on Saturday

The Park is on the way!

I came home tonight and noticed, the grassy field between OHSU and the new Riva is gone. It's been completely torn up, to make way for the soon-to-be community park. Construction began about a week ago, and the area was fenced off and sidewalks ripped up. I miss the grass!