NPS Form 10-900 OMB No. 1024-0018 (Expires 05/31/2030) United States Department of the Interior National Park Service National Register of Historic Places Registration Form This form is for use in nominating or requesting determinations for individual properties and districts. See instructions in National Register Bulletin, How to Complete the National Register of Historic Places Registration Form. If any item does not apply to the property being documented, enter "N/A" for "not applicable." For functions, architectural classification, materials, and areas of significance, enter only categories and subcategories from the instructions. Place additional certification comments, entries, and narrative items on continuation sheets if needed (NPS Form 10-900a). 1. Name of Property historic name South Park Blocks other names/site number N/A Name of Multiple Property Listing N/A (Enter "N/A" if property is not part of a multiple property listing) 2. Location street & number 1003 SW Park Avenue not for publication city or town Portland vicinity state Oregon code OR county Multnomah code 051 zip code 97205 3. State/Federal Agency Certification As the designated authority under the National Historic Preservation Act, as amended, I hereby certify that this X nomination request for determination of eligibility meets the documentation standards for registering properties in the National Register of Historic Places and meets the procedural and professional requirements set forth in 36 CFR Part 60. In my opinion, the property meets does not meet the National Register Criteria. I recommend that this property be considered significant at the following level(s) of significance: national statewide X local Applicable National Register Criteria: X A B X C D Signature of certifying official/Title: Deputy State Historic Preservation Officer Date Oregon State Historic Preservation Office State or Federal agency/bureau or Tribal Government In my opinion, the property meets does not meet the National Register criteria. Signature of commenting official Date Title State or Federal agency/bureau or Tribal Government 4. National Park Service Certification I hereby certify that this property is: entered in the National Register determined eligible for the National Register determined not eligible for the National Register removed from the National Register other (explain:) Signature of the Keeper Date of Action 1 United States Department of the Interior National Park Service / National Register of Historic Places Registration Form NPS Form 10-900 OMB No. 1024-0018 (Expires 5/31/2030) South Park Blocks Multnomah Co., OR Name of Property County and State 5. Classification Ownership of Property Category of Property Number of Resources within Property (Check as many boxes as apply.) (Check only one box.) (Do not include previously listed resources in the count.) Contributing Noncontributing private building(s) buildings X public - Local X district 1 site public - State site 1 4 structure public - Federal structure 4 9 object object 6 13 Total Number of contributing resources previously listed in the National Register N/A 6. Function or Use Historic Functions Current Functions (Enter categories from instructions.) (Enter categories from instructions.) LANDSCAPE: park LANDSCAPE: park RECREATION AND CULTURE: outdoor RECREATION AND CULTURE: outdoor recreation recreation 7. Description Architectural Classification Materials (Enter categories from instructions.) (Enter categories from instructions.) Late 19th and 20th Century Revivals foundation: N/A Modern Movement walls: N/A roof: N/A other: Earth, Brick, Concrete 2 United States Department of the Interior National Park Service / National Register of Historic Places Registration Form NPS Form 10-900 OMB No. 1024-0018 (Expires 5/31/2030) South Park Blocks Multnomah Co., OR Name of Property County and State Narrative Description (Describe the historic and current physical appearance and condition of the property. Describe contributing and noncontributing resources if applicable. Begin with a summary paragraph that briefly describes the general characteristics of the property, such as its location, type, style, method of construction, setting, size, and significant features. Indicate whether the property has historic integrity). Summary Paragraph The South Park Blocks (SPB) is an 8.76-acre city-owned park located in downtown Portland, Multnomah County, Oregon (see Figure 1). The twelve-block historic district, officially addressed as 1003 SW Park Avenue, is a linear north-south contiguous greenspace set amidst a mix of dense, mid-rise buildings and immediately bounded by cultural venues, apartments, Portland State University (PSU) campus buildings, and historic churches. The SPB extends 1,560 feet from SW Salmon Street (north) to SW Jackson Street (south) and is bounded by SW Park Avenue E (east) and SW Park Avenue W (west).1 The park serves as the anchor of downtown’s cultural and educational districts, with the six northern blocks designated as part of the Cultural District in 1999, while the six southernmost blocks are known as the University District and act as a shared public space for the PSU campus.2 The SPB reflects an evolutionary designed landscape developed from 1852 to 1973 that illustrates larger changes in public recreation, community development, and park design. Landscape character defining features of the park include its continuous overarching canopy of mature deciduous trees (see Figure 2), gradual south-to-north sloping topography, symmetrical and asymmetrical spatial relationships of its walkways, integration into Portland’s narrow block development scheme, and its axial north-south viewsheds framed by the linear arrangement of trees. Additional character defining features include the park’s circulation pattern that reflects the SPB’s evolution over time and 1973 pedestrian mall at the southern portion, featuring alterations completed in 1973 that integrated the park into the PSU campus. The park is also characterized by its functionally diverse mixture of plazas–including an amphitheater, public artwork, sitting areas, and playground– interspersed by blocks that feature raised and level planting beds, and mowed grass ground planes. While some of these features–like some of the park furniture, light system, hardscape and play equipment–are less than fifty years old and don’t contribute to the park’s historical significance, they tend to be consistently and harmoniously integrated into its overall design. Alterations within the SPB that have occurred either during or after the period of significance (and do not convey significance unto themselves) include the redesign of circulation systems in the blocks between Jefferson and Market streets (Block Nos. 7-9), and repaving plaza and pathway surfaces in Block Nos. 7–12 in the 1980s; changes to the Simon Benson Memorial and regrading of Shemanski Square (Block No. 12) in 1987; addition of two streetcar shelters in 2007 and the Portland Loo in 2012; realignment and replacement of the 1960s children’s playground (Block No. 1) with a new play structure in the 1990s; introduction of native and ornamental plantings; upgrades to park benches and light fixtures; and installation of additional public art, plaques, and commemorative markers. The SPB continues to serve its original function and retains its historic integrity and ability to convey its significance under National Register Criteria A and C, and Criterion Consideration G. 1 The eastern and western perimeter streets are variously named as SW Park Avenue, SW 9th Avenue, SW Park Avenue E, SW Park Avenue W, SW Park Avenue East and SW Park Avenue West. 2 Although there is a distinction between the “Cultural District” and “University District,” they represent a single, unified entity that share the same historical context and period of significance. Further, the recommended draft of the SPB Master Plan describes the park as encompassing these two distinct areas. MIG, Inc., South Park Blocks Master Plan Update, “Existing Conditions, Issues, and Opportunities Report,” Final Draft (prepared for Portland Parks and Recreation, August 2019), vii. 3 United States Department of the Interior National Park Service / National Register of Historic Places Registration Form NPS Form 10-900 OMB No. 1024-0018 (Expires 5/31/2030) South Park Blocks Multnomah Co., OR Name of Property County and State There are six contributing and 13 non-contributing resources within the SPB.3 Contributing resources include one site, four objects, and one structure: the SPB designed landscape and its constituent elements (site); Shemanski Fountain and Rebecca at the Well sculpture, 1926 (object); single-bowl Benson Bubbler, 1917 (object); four-bowl Benson Bubbler, 1917, 1959 (object)4; Farewell to Orpheus statue, 1973 (object); and Smith Center Amphitheater and Stage, 1973 (structure). These resources all date within the park’s period of significance (1852-1973) and contribute to its significance. Non- contributing objects are as follows: 1) Theodore Roosevelt Rough Rider statue granite pedestal base, 1922; 2) Abraham Lincoln statue granite pedestal base, 19285; 3) Pedestal Clock, undated; 4) Peace Chant sculpture, 1984; 5) In the Shadow of the Elm art installation, 1984; 6) Holon sculpture, 2001; 7-8) “Portland State University” granite monument signs, 1988; and 9) Simon Benson Memorial, 1959, altered 19876. Four non-contributing structures include: 1) Portland Loo, 2012; 2-3) two streetcar shelters, 2007; and 4) 1990s children’s play