Portland Parks and Recreation just made it official: Pier Pool will not reopen this summer. And we know why: decades of non-spending and neglect. They say the closure’s only temporary. We need to make sure that truly is the case.
Let’s Grow this Momentum
Under the canopy of Doug Fir just behind the Pool, nearly 80 of you showed your support and care and interest by attending our Pier Pool Party. We couldn’t be prouder of the turn out. So, a big THANK YOU to all our neighbors and the City candidates who stood together for our pool! You show that we have people-power on our side! Your collective presence, concern and desire to learn and help reopen Pier Pool will move us forward. Let’s keep that going!
Thank you to everyone who has written, emailed, and called the City leaders. Please keep up the pressure! See who to contact and read talking points here.
Tell PP&R It’s Time to Walk the Equity Talk
Like many of you, we feel the same, that our end of North Portland does not get the same consideration as other Portland neighborhoods when it comes to funding. And while the City prides itself on its equitable stance, we know that does not play out in communities like ours. At the Pool Party, we shared some PP&R financial information that points directly to that claim. It’s clear to see, that, compared to Parks our size, Pier Park receives considerably less spending from the City. You can see for yourself here and here.
Pier Park, No Benches for You
In addition to that financial information, consider this: the number of benches with backs for park visitors in Pier and other parks. How many does Pier have? One of our neighbors shared her research that clearly shows, just in benches alone, Pier Park is short-changed. This leaves our older population and others who could use a bench here and there feeling unwanted and not considered in our park.
- McCoy Park, 3.82 acres, 18 benches
- Wallace Park, 8.4 acres, 9 benches
- Kenton Park, 12.5 acres, 12 benches
- Chimney Park, 18.39 acres, 1 bench
- Laurelhurst Park, 32.7 acres, 14 benches
- Columbia Park, 35 acres, 14 benches
- Pier Park, 85 acres, 0 benches
PP&R: Where is the Love?
Even for the Pool Party, the City left us feeling short-changed again. For, they couldn’t send someone who might provide a path forward, or any hope, for that matter. Instead, their update was about the closure, delivered by a very lovely, kind City programs employee, The Director of Sports and Aquatics. And you know the old adage about the messenger…. But, why oh why didn’t they send a facility person? Or someone of upper management? Or anyone in a position to answer the tough question: “What can Friends of Pier Park and the community do to reopen Pier Pool?”
Candidates Share their Support, and their Answer
At the Pool Party, we did pose that question, “What can Friends of Pier Park and the community do to reopen Pier Pool?” to the Zone 2 and Mayoral candidates in attendance. Granted, this question appears simple and straight-forward, but it is loaded; it contains historical and socio-economic context, as well as what having a swimming pool means in general for any community (promotes safety in learning to swim, give kids something to do, etc.). Plus, it was totally on the spot. As you might imagine, we got a range of replies. Three of the candidates gave partial answers, we’ve put those in bold.
- Bob Simril Because of his childhood and background he is focused on equity issues and, if elected, will approve funding for disadvantaged neighborhoods first.
- Mike Marshall Focused on addiction recovery and he loves Portland.
- Debbie Kitchin Wants to focus on parks and equitable access, restoring pools, parks and equitable development.
- Laura Streib Suggested we get in contact with Kidz Outdoors. They have worked with George Park and are installing a new and improved playground/park. She also suggested contacting the Portland Parks Foundation.
- Jonathan Tasini 40-year union member and part of the neighborhood emergency response team, led a ban on gas powered leaf blowers. His advice, “Create a campaign big and loud.”
- Rev. Nat West His rep spoke about West’s 15-year of small business ownership.
- Keith Wilson His rep spoke about Wilson going to Roosevelt High School. Take away, “Social infrastructure is infrastructure.” The rep also talked emotionally about his own children needing to learn to swim.
- Tiffani Penson. Committed to: cleaning up unsafe and unsanitary conditions, accessible and accountable budgets, maintaining budgets. This is part of an answer to our question, that an accessible and accountable budget should clearly illuminate where the money is going, and potentially direct more to Pier Park.
- Elana Pirtle-Guiney Her rep said Elana is focused on affordability, equity, effective government, and expanded access.
Let’s Get to Work!
That all said, what’s the take away? We’ve got a lot to do. According to a Pool Party attendee who accompanied a City Administrator employee, Portland Parks and Recreation wants all this to go away, and that’s why they sent who they sent. Well, that’s not our plan, because we want our pool. We’ll see who gets elected as our three Zone 2 representatives, and our next Mayor, in November, so make sure you get out there and vote! We also look forward to joining forces with Friends of Columbia Park who want to do all they can to keep Columbia Pool, too.
S.O.S! Save Our Swimming (Pool)
Let’s keep ideas coming! And forming partnerships and synergies that might guide and deliver. Talk to your friends, co-workers, neighbors because you never know where a solution will be found. With your energy and interest, we can find a way together to keep the momentum going, address the financial and neighborhood inequities we’re seeing play out here, and get action to reopen and save Pier Pool!
Because bottom line is, we’re not being taken seriously, yet.
Stay tuned.