[BWNA] The water fountain in Wilshire Park and other Park news

[Albert Kaufman]

Hello,

We'd like to have the water fountain thingy open and running during our
neighborhood night out event on August 1st.  Someone from the Parks Dept.
will come out and instruct some of us at 4:30 that day how to operate the
fountain and monitor it.

I think it would be great if anyone who has kids and lives in the area,
shows up and learns what it would take to get that feature up and running
more often.  I'm sure between all of the parents and kids in the n'hood, we
could have it going every day with a little initial effort.

So, if you know someone who might like to have a little wading pool action
this summer, please come at 4:30 on 8/1 and represent!  I pass by the
feature in Grant Park every day and there are dozens of parents and kids
there and they look like they're having a blast, and staying cool.

OK, off of soapbox.

We could still use the offer of some grills for our picnic.  And, we're
having a veggie cutting party on 7/31 at Deborah Ham's house - get in touch
if you'd like to join us, 7pm.

- here's something from the City that came to me today vis Wilshire Park.

Adios, Amigos.

Albert


July 24, 2006

Albert Kaufman
Beaumont Wilshire Neighborhood Association

Dear Albert,

As you know, the Portland Parks & Recreation 2002 levy included funds for
playground safety upgrades.  Fifteen playgrounds are scheduled for
improvement in the second phase of this project, including  whirl safety
surfacing at Wilshire Park.

Planning and design for phase two projects was completed this spring and the
projects went out to bid as one package in early June.  Unfortunately, we
received only two bids.  The first was 30% higher than our estimate and
therefore unacceptable.  The second bidder withdrew.

So, we have separated the projects into two packages and will be back out to
bid by the end of July.  The bidding and contracting process generally takes
about two months, so we anticipate construction beginning the first of
October.  The contractors will have projects at seven or eight different
sites, so we cannot say specifically when work will begin at Wilshire Park.
All construction should be complete by the end of January 2007.

We are disappointed that these projects have been delayed but hope that
repackaging them will result in an acceptable bid this time.  If you have
any questions, please feel free to contact Patty Freeman, Portland Parks &
Recreation Playground Project Manager at 503-823-5592.

Sincerely,


Gay Greger
Community Relations Manager