Dawson Park (Portland, Oregon) Explained

Dawson Park is a historic urban park in north Portland, Oregon, in the United States.^[1] The park is located at Stanton Street and North Williams Avenue.

History

Dawson Park was designed by Florence Holmes Gerke,^[2] and acquired by Portland Parks & Recreation in 1921.^[3]

In November 2013, a $2.6 million renovation began, resulting in the park's closure for nearly a year. City officials, aware of gentrification of the surrounding neighborhood, utilized community input to avoid ruining the park's role as a gathering place favored by African Americans.^[4] The upgraded park now includes a new playground and interactive water feature, enhanced accessibility and lighting, and new barbecue and picnic areas. Dawson Park also features double-sided artistic medallions designed by Isaka Shamsud-Din, with traditional African patterns on one side and depictions of the neighborhood on the opposite side.^[5] Additionally, the twelve artistic "story boulders" were added to the park to help preserve its history.^[6]

See also

• African Americans in Oregon
• List of parks in Portland, Oregon

Notes and References

1. Web site: Dawson Park Is Precious. That's Why Its Dilemma Is So Painful. . 2022-09-23 . Willamette Week . en . 2022-09-19 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220919212612/https://www.wweek.com/news/city/2022/09/19/dawson-park-is-precious-thats-why-its-dilemma-is-so-painful/ . live .
2. News: Obituary: Landscape Designer, Editor Dies . 27 August 2024 . The Oregon Daily Journal . . 24 August 1964 . 6.
3. Web site: Dawson Park. November 21, 2013. Portland Parks & Recreation. December 14, 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20141214215522/http://www.portlandoregon.gov/parks/finder/index.cfm?&propertyid=33&propertyid_new_value=false&action=ViewPark. live.
4. News: Parks. Casey. North Williams gentrified. Its park didn't. How Dawson Park survived as a black hub. September 10, 2016. The Oregonian. September 10, 2016. September 14, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160914202244/http://www.oregonlive.com/portland/index.ssf/2016/09/dawson_park_gentrification_por.html. live.
5. News: Dawson Park construction begins; park will close until June. November 21, 2013. November 18, 2013. Casey. Parks. The Oregonian. December 13, 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20131213064531/http://www.oregonlive.com/portland/index.ssf/2013/11/dawson_park_construction_begin.html. live.
6. Web site: Dawson Park Portland.gov . 2024-09-10 . www.portland.gov . en.