Fallen Sequoia Returns

fallen sequoia bench with artist Aren Lawler

When the bridge over the tracks from Pier Park to Chimney Park was built, it was necessary to fall one of the Sequoias in Pier Park’s Sequoia grove to make way for the bridge. Much of the Sequoia went to build a nature playground at Westmoreland, but some slabs of the felled Sequoia were saved for future use in Pier Park. 

fallen sequoia bench with artist Aren Lawler
One of the three Sequoia benches with Friends of Pier Park member Jared Cowley and artist Aren Lawler.

Those slabs were recently delivered to Portland Parks and Rec after being transformed by local artists into benches ready for installation. Here are some photos of the three benches being delivered by the artist Aren Lawler and others. 

You will soon find the largest of the three benches sitting along the path in the Sequoia grove where the source tree grew. The smaller two benches will be placed in the meadow next to the playground near the splash pad.

The biggest of the fallen sequoia benches
The larger of the Sequoia benches (foreground) will placed in the Sequoia grove. The smaller one (background) will be placed in the meadow near the playground.

We thank all of the Friends of Pier Park that have contributed funds to support the creation, installation, and ongoing maintenance of these benches.

The need for more benches in Pier Park is something we often hear from our Friends. We’ll keep that as an ongoing focus.

By Mary Ann Aschenbrenner

Mary Ann Aschenbrenner is President of Waterlink Web, a web development firm located in the St. Johns neighborhood of North Portland. An active neighborhood volunteer, Mary Ann served on the Friends of Pier Park board for over eight years and is the designer and administrator of this site.

1 comment

  1. Yay! I was so peeved when I only heard about Westmoreland park benefitting from the sequoia. Glad that the benches are coming back. Full circle.

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