The Fields Neighborhood Park Community Questionnaire Results March-April 2007

A Community Questionnaire was included in the initial project newsletter, which was mailed to over 4,000 addresses in the vicinity of the park site (virtually the entire neighborhood) as well as other interested parties. The newsletter was made available for pick-up at Chapman School and Friendly House and made available electronically as well. A total of 148 questionnaires were submitted, either by mail or on the web, by the April 20 deadline. The following summarizes the results.

1. The original plan for the River District Parks suggested three common elements that would link the parks together. Which do you feel should be included in The Fields neighborhood park?

100 90 80 70 60

50

40

30

20

10 0 Boardwalk Pedestrian Gallery Aquifer

2. This park is envisioned as a “neighborhood park no answ er – over two square blocks providing more traditional spaces for neighborhood residents. Do you agree ? with this overall concept? no

yes

Comments Regarding Question #2

“Traditional Neighborhood Park” #1 - None (of the original “framework concepts” are important What to you mean by "traditional"

As long as this park does not become filthy (ie. bad terrain, homeless) like the waterfront, I'm for it.

Excellent idea. A traditional park will be a nice complement to the other two parks. I don't know if my selections were recorded above. A continuation of the boardwalk is essential to making the connection between and among the parks. The design of the buildings around the park has narrowed the feeling of openness so it is beginning to look like a private park for the residential buildings surrounding it. This is not fair to the rest of the Pearl. We have been waiting for this active space for a long time and ask designers to open it up for the whole neighborhood to enjoy. Keep the boardwalk in the design.

I enjoy the themes more.

It needs to be flexible in possible uses.

No jungle gym, one block designated for traditional use and the other block for recreational spaces

Please - Just a park like or or . please avoid programmed spaces and have play ground, picnic tables, lawn and trees like a real neighborhood park.

Still need walking trails/spaces.

There are spaces for traditional recreation in the North Park Blocks: basketball, bocce, playground as well as water play at Jamison. This will be the park closest to the river, take advantage of river life spaces.

This is much needed and long overdue.

What happened to Libery Memorial Park?

Yes, I do. But I hope "The Fields" doesn't mean we're going to end up with large, boring, un-ecological expanses of lawn.

Yes, this type of space is sorely needed in the neighborhood.

Open Fields, Green Spaces Open "frisbee" space, not all flat between boardwalk along 10th and "Gallery"(lane) along 11th.

There needs to be open spaces. The are many spaces public and private in the Pearl where people can meet and visit but very little for exercise and sports. This would also be family friendly.

Open space for strolling/ benches.

2 Having access to green space with lots of green - meaning trees, plants etc., is a vital need for this neighborhood. Waterfront park is not a neighborhood park, it is a city park, camping ground and runner's path. The parks in the Pearl do not have enough grass, and green space for multiple people to be able to enjoy, nor do they have ample room for many people to enjoy the amenities. A grassy area similar to the Park Blocks would be ideal for people to spread out and would accomodate more people than crushed stone with benches which are less inviting and discourage lingering and interaction.

I greatly appreciate the idea for a larger green space.

Request grassy area (no dogs) for frisbee, soccer, catch, sunbathing, etc.

Run around, throw a frisbee...that kind of thing

The other two pearl parks are great in their own way but they lack open space which is what i think this park should have lots of.

The people in the Pearl need more places to play and be in nature.

There needs to be a place for kids to play and people to lay out, throw a football, etc. Larger open spaces.

Yes-- not even the North Park blocks offer a truly open space to run If a small playground is included, it should be tucked away as should the dog park if it remains In this location, open grassy fields looking toward should be the scheme

Children Play Area and smaller, more private areas too. Not everyone likes children!

I have a three and a half year old child. We love living in the neighborhood, but as he gets bigger is is harder to get him enough running around room in Jameson Square. Having a place where he can just kick a ball would be fantastic.

More open space is needed for dogs and children to run and play. Tanner Springs is nice to look at but rarely used.

My daughter lives 1/2 a block away at the Sitka apts with her Dad and needs a playground within walking distance.

Picnic, play, gardens, sprinkler play for children

Place to play

Space for Pearl Dogs and kids to play

There needs to be a place for kids to play and people to lay out, throw a football, etc. Larger open spaces.

3 Yes, we need a place to play outside as families. Kid-friendly (play structure and even covered play area) is very important to us and our friends. Plus it should be a place where kids can grow up and continue to play there, beyond a play structure. It is VITAL to us that any dog area be ENCLOSED to provide for the safety of children and corral all the poop and pee. often does not feel at all safe for small children due to loose dogs and their "by-products." We also need an active escape valve for activity beyond the water at Jamison. On hot days, shade is also at a premium.

Gardens/Community Gardens Could there be an area allocated to a community garden? NW is short on (local) community gardens.

Should be a community garden with flowers as well as food.

we could definitely use a community garden.

What is considered "traditional recreation"? How about gardening?

Parking Is hidden, underground parkway below the park an option?

Seating Important to add more seating

Please make sure there are plenty of benches and places to sit.

Water Feature Do not want water feature like in Jamison

3. Park elements respondents would like to see in the park.

140

120

100

80 Yes

Maybe 60 No 40

20

0 n g s s g c r r a e g ys n e te om tin a te te Art aw a tin g F. pace el L tro e Tre n w n Picni Wa h Ar Ska S th Lighti S l Sports S Res Pla Pa rinki Play Area a Dog D Group 4. Do you have children living with you, either part-timeInform or full-time?

4 4. Do you have children living with you, either part-time or full-time? What are their ages?

25 yes 25% 20

15

10

5

no 0 75% under 6 6-11 12-18

5. Do you envision yourself using the neighborhood park, either by yourself or with others? If so, what would be the primary focus for your use? (check up to 3)

120

100

80

60

40

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0

Exercise Sit/Relax Kids' Walk Informal Play Picnic Active Dog Playground Recreation

5 Any other ideas?

general * I have 2 granddaughters who visit me often. We use the parks

active recreation Soccer, kickball Golf putting/chipping (if you have it) i also envision using the park for informal or pick up games of ultimate frisbee and kickball with friends. Tennis

art I like the idea of art you can play on. Consider truly touchable and accessible outside public art for the park. We need hands on--it can fulfill a dual purpose of beauty along with auxiliary play space. Never underestimate the power of a great photo-op either. A "destination" place to take that picture (It's kind of a lame example but something that draws people in like that pig in Pike Place Market that everyone touches and takes pictures of.) Maybe something that is iconic of the neighborhood or its history--train, fremont bridge, industrial something of other, more Tanner Creek daylighting imagery.

Children play My main focus it having a place in the neighboorhood where my child can play. walking, bringing kids .. my computer won't let me select alternate ones dogs Dog area for dogs. A fenced-in, controlled dog run would be fine. I will use the park at least twice daily for taking the dog out. Off leash dog area Dog area would be good. There are so few places for dogs to be safely off-leash in the pearl, and so many dogs. Small enclosed dog park with bench

No dogs allowed dogs and kids A space that will be used mainly by Pearl residents and a community gathering space is needed. A dog area would be nice for the dog owners to meet and congregate, but also a separate space for kids would be nice so neighborhood kids could play and mingle. I was one of the 2 people involved with creating the bocce courts in the North Park blocks, and that has completely taken off and is such a terrific spot in the summertime. We don't need to repeat that in this park.

gardening gardening GROWING FOOD Having a garden space to go and work would be very nice and certainly change my relationship with the park. I would be there more often and have a caretaker relationship with the park. general Work on the sustainable side of this park, open spaces!

picnic Picnicking - Don't need tables for this, we'd bring a blanket!

plantings Educational: use of native plants.

programming Concerts and festivals

6 quiet places I think there are many young professionals who would enjoy reading/working in the area. Also laying a blanket out in the grass (without feeling unsafe or intruding on homeless people's turf) Farmer's market? Concerts? Reading

Meditation ready/ Privacy river Connect to river? walking/river Our primary use would be walking and sitting, enjoying a lovely summer day. It would also be on our way to enjoying the and the open space that someday will be available to us. Fresh Air

6. do you have any suggestions, issues or concerns you want to be sure are considered by the design team?

Issue/Concern Anything that would be an attractive nuisance to our transient/drug use problem must be avoided: public bathrooms, shelters...perhaps night lighting is a good idea. Concern about a welcoming place for homeless. Don't add restroom or shelters because it will only attract homeless people to set up camp and they'ss never leave. Same as I said before, I would really hope that such a large open space doesn't become a second "Park Blocks". One of the draws to the Pearl right now is the lack of homeless, pan handlers and drug dealers sitting on the curbs and sleeping on park benches. The Pearl feels more oriented toward young to medium age business professionals with young to no children and I hope it continues to stay that way. Also, a water feature would be very nice. Perhaps something with a waterfall effect like Jamison Square but without the kids able to play in it. So those of us that want to relax by the water can do so without a two year old soaking wet running by and covering your laptop or book with water.

Don't include any structures that could lead to territorial disputes between groups using them (i.e. rain shelters, picnic tables, small nooks) Public restrooms is a feature that will undoubtedly bring on public debate, slowing the process and without adding much benefit. Experiences in other west coast cities also show that public restrooms in fact make an area less safe. if there are restrooms, they need to be supervised and kept up. i'd like it if there were restrooms, but i have security concerns, naturally. concerns regarding restrooms being used for other purposes picnic tables and trash go hand and hand combine Jamison Park and Tanners Springs- take the best from both parks and keep it user friendly children and laughter are great healers!

Safety 1.) Traffic safety for small children & pets. (fencing, natural/ rock/ concrete/ artsy barriers between street and play structures and off-leash areas, if needed)

7 I think that safety is key. Waterfront park has sort of been established as a camping/loitering area. I would hate to see this park fall into the same state. Perhaps keeping it very well lit at night, or maybe have the night lighting take on a dimension all its own (ie: colored lighting, interesting and creative lighting that is almost artwork at night. Also, I think creating an environment where one can either be alone or in the midst of activity - as both have a time and place. Jamison and Tanner are two extremes of this. Is there a way we could offer and balance both in this park?

Lighting should be a priority, for that area; there is a high transient population yes, keep a tree-lined, perimeter path (perhaps a roadway made of crushed stone), open to cars & bicycles, as well as park-going pedestrians, so as to provide public safety-type "eyes on the street." This is for access AND more critically, to ensure that the space does not become a dead-end by the railroad r-o-w... where opportunites for crimes or other social problems could thrive. 1. Bridge access to Mills. 2. Train safety

Other A playground would be really wonderful. We do not have a dog, but a designated area for the dogs is greatly needed in the neighborhood. NYC has some fabulous kid parks and dog parks that do not take up a lot of space to check out as models. I like the idea of having the park be more of an unstructured green space for open play. It is hard (or not allowed) to play soccer or even throw around a ball in the other two parks. again - functional area for the many dogs that live in the pearl area. possibly a combination of sand (like jamison) and grass to keep it functional year round regardless of the weather. As much native plant life as possible with thought to the environmental impacts of the design. As stated above: a community garden of raised beds; keep the boardwalk; open the entrance from the south so it is contiguous with the first 2 parks and has the feel of a pathway to the river. Big cities of the world have parks geared to the needs of the city's residents. The two existing parks in my neighborhood are clearly not for me or most of my neighbors. I don't mind sharing, it's a city afterall, but the residents of the Pearl need a park that meets their needs too. The park blocks are a great example of what urban parks ought to be: simple, open spaces with grass, trees, and some benches - someplace you can eat your lunch outside or walk your dog. For art we can go to the many local galleries. For zen we can go to the many local yoga studios. We need a place to stretch, be outside, and socialize.

Bleacher style seating is the best for reading, eating and watching Children in the Pearl & Old Town need room to run and play Don't get too cerebral - it's a park for people! Flowers are beautiful. You can get enough volunteers to grow food to give away to those in need. I do understand that also maybe an issue if the food is taken. You can do both. Given the large number of dog owners, I feel strongly that an area to exercise and let dogs play is important. In Manhattan, there are many dog areas in Riverside Park and theyare heavily used Please put me on your mailing list RE: Park Updates Given the large population of dogs in this neighborhood, an area where they are welcome is long overdue. Please, please, please, include dogs in this space. Thanks.

8 I know this is an ongoing hot topic with Portland's parks,but I would really like to reitterate the problems there are with loose dogs and little kids especially. Especially since they are closed out of Tanner Springs and they are a problem with the fountain at Jamison, I recognize they need some space at the Fields. I want to strongly advocate for an ENCLOSED dog area in our final park. If we are going to continue to make this neighborhood a friendly place for families (and people with dogs) we have to consider the safety--physical and health--of the kids and consider the full range of ages that they will be using neighborhood/park amenities.

I really would like to have an enclousure for small dogs to play off-leash. It could have benches for owners to sit and observe like in Central park (NYC)! I want a park that all ages will be happy to use. Flexible use. I was on the task force for the Pearl District Dev. Plan---- the goal was to encourage multi-age living in the Pearl and it was acknowledged throughout that families will come to the Pearl/NW when the amenities are there. It is time to provide good old-fashioned grassy spaces The only thing close is Wallace Park which is all the way up at 26th NW. I am the Head of School at Childpeace Montessori and we have been waiting for this park. We love the urban experience and are committed to it, but we want the option of open spaces for occasional use by children in our program. Keep large events to a minimum - Protect the park from heavy wear and tear. Bird houses, windmill type features. Keep with the original concept to link the parks with a boardwalk (and continue the boardwalk to Centennial Mills) and water features. Kid friendly space and features are crucial. There is obviously a need for a playground and an accessible water feature in the park. Jamison square is over run in spring and summer - it becomes unsafe, unhygenic and unasthetic. Local dog owners would appreciate a fenced, shaded off-leash dog area, well lit, with good drainage. A nice plus would be a small shelter for owners to stand under in the rain while dogs play. many people in NW Portland are interested in growing vegetables. At the present time there are few opportunities for gardening and no other open spaces appropriate for a secure long term garden site. Please either: #1) fence off the children's play area (to keep todlers in and dogs and there poop out) OR #2) fence off the dog area I can't tell you how many times I've seen dog owners let their dogs off a leash the moment they step on the park common only to have the dog run immediately over to the play area and run right up to a child's face and scare the bejesus out of the child. The dog owner always says "it's OK , my dog is friendly" without considering that some kids are terrified of ANY dog. Then the dog sniffs around and pees on the legs of the equipment. I've picked up LOTS of dog poop all over the playground site so that my child and others would not step in it. All this could be avoided and you would have many a happy parent if the playground area was fenced off. It also makes it more relaxing for parents of toddlers to have an enclosed space where their child can't wonder off. Also, please put some benches in near the play structure so parents can sit while there kids play....thanks!

Re-design the wasted eastern side of Jamison Park! Regular lawn maintenance/litter patrols; if restrooms, then they must be kept as clean as possible. Safe fenced dog park with either a cement floor or some sort of mud proof area. In the Pearl we don't have outside areas to hose off our dogs. Safety - trains and traffic 9 Safety, flexibility, possible tennis court (2) See other ideas. If you need more feel free to mail or email me. Would be thrilled to have a fenced dog area! Yes. A water feature, specifically a place to hose off our dogs. The Pearl District is made up of condo's and apartments, we have no backyards, therefore, no backyard hoses. We desperately need a hose to rinse off our dogs. I am considering moving my dog store to the park area and have an interest in this feature, whether or not the park provides it. We really need a place to wash our dogs after play or hiking. I was thinking this might be a feature of my store, maybe we could do it together.

Tanner Springs unattractive foilage is a waste of space. Jamison is perfect!! Two city blocks do not make a large park. We don't want this to be a dog park. What does "exercising dogs" or "dog area" mean anyway? Allowing leashed dogs in the park is probably unavoidable, but any further accommodation of dogs is likely to compromise others' enjoyment of the park. An off-leash area is unrealistic due to the size of the park. It would result in an unmanageable maintenance burden on the infrastructure (grass, etc.). It would also act as a magnet for people outside the neighborhood to come to let their dogs loose, which would further tax the infrastructure. Put people first. If you can't accommodate off-leash dogs without impacting others, then please don't try.

I believe we should include community gardens as a primary option for every new park we build, and think about incorporating them into more existing parks. The unmet demand is huge, and I think this is a service that our City should be able to provide its residents, especially in a place so densely-populated as the Pearl. Well, as you might have guessed, community garden possibilities hopefully will be seriously explored. They are great exercise machines for those so motivate. They are great learning and teaching tools for the observing public. They would give park visitors an additional, ever changing attraction. I've lived in San Francisco and what I really admire there are the wonderful little playgrounds scattered around. They aren't big, but they feel just right. Little ones like contained places. So I suggest fencing in the playstructure area like they do in SF. Especially if they allow dogs at the playground - it keeps the kids from wandering, the dogs out and the unaccompanied adults from loitering. I would feel safe in such a place with my kids. Also, if there is room, a community garden would be lovely!

Thank you for doing this!

Try not to have the park too cluttered. There are lots of options to consider but my feeling is that it shouldn't try to incorporate everything that everyone wants. Keep it simple and useful.

As a dog owner, I am concerned that we may loose the "last great frontier" for our pets (the vacant lot that will become 'The Fields'). Obviously there will be compromise once it is developed, but I hope the result will be one that encourages freedom and not restrictions. The non- fenced off-leash areas at some of the other city parks seem to work well. I am opposed to a fenced-in area. Parks keep the area liveable and inviting. They're an excellent use of tax dollars. Minimal environmental impact Key word: SIMPLICITY.

10 PLEASE include a dog area which keeps dogs OFF of other grass areas. I am so tired of dog owners allowing their dogs to deficate on grass areas used by the public. At Jamison Square children are playing on areas obviously used by dogs to urinate. I understand lawns are not great for the environment, and often frowned upon by landscape architects, but it would be nice to have some grassy areas that are off-limits for dogs so that you could sit in relatively clean surroundings, though there needs to be room in the plan for dogs to run about as well. Groups of shade trees/plantings, so that you don't feel like you're sitting so exposed on a park bench on the middle of a lawn. Plantings that draw butterflies, squirrels, etc. Durable and easily washable building materials Openness to encourage safety and discourage vandalism

Lack of fields for kids to play sports on the westside.

11