A place for family and community.
Using input gathered over a two-year period from numerous meetings with neighbors, recreational sports teams, city officials, school children, teachers, and parents, landscape architects at Terrance DeWan and Associates have drafted a “greenovation plan” for an extraordinary community park and playground.
As the future stewards of our environment, today’s children need to learn to value and have a relationship with the natural world. Our kids are growing up in a world dominated by technology. At home and in school, much of their time is spent in sedentary, indoor activities. Urban parks providing green space are an important resource for children growing up in the city. Children need to breath fresh air and exercise their bodies and there is a growing body of research demonstrating significant cognitive, emotional and physical benefits children gain from opportunities to be outdoors, connecting with nature.
We are ready to build.
In the spring of 2009, a generous foundation grant of $85,000 was secured as seed money for the project. Now we seek the support of a wide range of donors and sponsors to reach our goal of raising $400,000. Your contribution will support us in making the plan a reality. Our vision for what is possible here is big.
This lovely city park can continue to meet the diverse needs of all of its users, with enhancements that will make it a more beautiful place to be. Imagine edible gardens and fruit trees, boulders for climbing and sitting, pedestrian pathways and enhanced sports fields. Imagine shade trees lining its perimeter, grassy berms for sports spectators to gather on, granite benches where adults can sit and watch their children and grandchildren at play.
Imagine a greener setting in which children can play and learn among bushes, boulders and trees. A place where our city’s children, future caretakers of Portland’s green spaces, can be surrounded by nature - not blacktop -interacting with stones, water, sand and foliage.
PROJECT TIMELINE
IDEA GERMINATES Spring 2007
Breakwater School teachers, parents, Nason’s Corner residents and Portland Trails School Ground Greening Coalition begin informal discussions about the importance of children having access to natural play spaces. The possibility of “greenovating” the playground and park begins to be explored. A Greening Committee is formed.
FUEL FOR THE FIRE Fall 2007
The City of Portland notifies Breakwater that playground equipment (The Big Toy) does not meet revised safety codes. Plans are made to remove the offending features and re-configure the existing equipment to meet code.
STAKEHOLDER MEETINGS BEGIN Fall 2007
Meetings are held with City officials, neighbors, athletic team representatives, Nason’s Corner Neighborhood Association members and representatives from Breakwater School, introducing the concept of a park upgrade.
LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT RETAINED Spring 2008
Breakwater School secures landscape architect Sarah Witte & Amy Segal from TJ Dewan & Associates, North Yarmouth
DESIGN CHARRETTE HELD May 2008
A day-long community design meeting is held at Breakwater to gather ideas from all stakeholders including children and parents from the neighborhood; city officials; athletic team parents, coaches and officials; landscape designers; Portland Trails; teachers; adjacent property owners, etc.
PRELIMINARY DESIGN CREATED & PRESENTED Fall 2008 - Winter 2009
Using ideas from the charrette, a preliminary conceptual design is created by our landscape architects at Terrance J. DeWann & Associates. Many meetings are held with various stakeholder groups, city planners and landscape architects. The plan is presented and feedback is sought. The design goes through many revisions.
FUNDRAISING BEGINS March 2009
Breakwater secures an $85,000 foundation grant secured for landscape architect design fees and Phase I of construction.
DESIGN REFINED AND FINALIZED Spring 2009 - Fall 2010
Meetings with Athletic League representatives are held to fine tune field design details. Breakwater School engages Scott Simons Architects to create a design for a new entrance to the main school building to be constructed in conjunction with the removal of the asphalt on the Capisic side of the building. Landscape design concept plan is finalized.
CITY APPROVAL PROCESS BEGINS Fall 2010
Detailed plans are created and construction phases are determined to obtain more accurate cost projections and to be submitted to the City Planning Department for final review and approval.
CITY PARKS COMMISSION ENDORSES PROJECT February 2011
Nason's Corner Park and Playground design receives unanimous approval by the Parks Commission.
OUTREACH EXPANDS Spring 2011
Plans are being developed for on-site signage, printed media, and special events at the park in an effort to draw neighborhood and city-wide attention to the project. We are currently seeking local business partners, volunteers, and donations -- in-kind and financial -- with the hope of breaking ground on the first phase of the project in the summer of 2011.
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