The GPNA Issues
Grant Park Fields
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Email Q&A between GPNA and PP&R
From: Michael Kinney , GPNA
Sent: Thursday, November 17, 2005 3:48 PM
To: Turpel, Lisa PP&R
Subject: Grant Park Neighborhood Association
Hi Lisa,
I'm a board member of the Grant Park Neighborhood Association and a member of the Grant Bowl Citizens Advisory Committee. This has been setup by Lloyd Lindley of Friends of Grant Football. There is a large donation pending to support an upgrade of the field facilities in Grant Park.
GPNA would like someone from Parks to address our membership next month. We would like to ask some questions related to some issues related to this upgrade of park sports facilities. A particularly controversial issue is lighting. Lloyd has addressed our board to talk about a menu of items which are being discussed and we would now like to hear from Parks. I assume that it might be appropriate for someone from planning to talk to us and thought you might be the one to help us schedule an appropriate spokesperson.
Ideally it would be someone with knowledge of Grant Park programming who could also address policy questions (i.e., can an enforceable neighborhood agreement be put in place to limit nighttime functions if lighting is installed?). While I understand that no formal proposal has been submitted to Parks, we need some input from Parks to help us understand all the related issues in reaching a decision to either support of oppose the proposal.
Our meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, December 6, at 7 PM. The location is Grant Park Church - 2728 NE 34th Ave (at Knott).
Michael Kinney
GPNA Treasurer
503-282-2883
From: Turpel, Lisa PP&R
To: Michael Kinney , GPNA
Subject: Grant Park Neighborhood Association
Michael,
Thanks for your inquiry. I am looking forward to a meeting next week at my office with Lloyd Lindley et al, to discuss their desired project more fully. It's been nearly 2 years since I've had a full update from them. Director Zari Santner and PP&R's Sports Supervisor, Andre Ashley, attended an onsite meeting a few weeks back, and just this week Zari asked that I manage any partnership or management agreements that might develop with the Friends of GHS Football or GPNA.
I would be happy to attend the Dec 6th GPNA meeting. It would be very helpful to me to know the general line of questions that will come my way during the discussion. That way, I can either plan to bring another resource person to the meeting, or at least dig up all the information that will be helpful to your group before I arrive. Regardless, with your permission I'll see whether Andre and/or his supervisor Michelle Harper (both GHS graduates, by the way) can come. Will the folks from the Friends of GHS Football be there as well? Thanks. --Lisa (GHS parent)
Lisa Thomas Turpel, CPRP
Manager, Workforce & Community Alliances
Portland Parks & Recreation
1120 SW 5th Avenue, #1302
Portland OR 97204-1933
(503) 823-6972
(503) 823-5297 FAX
lturpel@ci.portland.or.us
From: Michael Kinney
Sent: Monday, November 28, 2005 8:56 AM
To: Turpel, Lisa
Subject: RE: Grant Park Neighborhood Association
GPNA - What is the Bureau of Parks process for submitting a proposal to re-design a public, neighborhood park?
Portland Parks & Recreation (PP&R) - Anyone or any group may submit a proposal for park improvement. PP&R takes great pride in the extent to which we involve the public, so all project proposals will be considered by PP&R. Some deserve more deliberations than others. PP&R does not accept all project proposals submitted.
GPNA - Has Parks handled a similar proposal for a neighborhood park?
PP&R - PP&R has had scores of park improvement project proposals from citizen groups over the years. It's fair to say we have several annually. They all have their own uniquenesses, never one exactly like another. An example of a citizen project at Grant Park was the Beverly Cleary "fountain." This was not a project envisioned by PP&R, but we worked with the group to make it happen in a way that made sense for that park and community.
GPNA - If so, what was the outcome and what, if any, restrictions were imposed?
PP&R - N/A
GPNA - From Parks perspective, what is the timeframe for starting and completing this project (actual landscaping and construction)?
PP&R - I cannot say. Everything about timing for a project is predicated on how soon a project is ready to be considered. There is no prescribed timeframe. In the case of this particular project, PP&R is waiting to get a formal proposal and project scope from the friends of grant football group. So we're not even at step #1 of the process, officially.
GPNA - We understand that Grant Park is already a fully-programmed park. How does Parks view the potential increase in use if this project is approved and implemented w/o any changes?
PP&R - PP&R would have to look very carefully about increased intensity of use at Grant Park. It is a concern to us.
GPNA - Does Parks already have a position as to the feasibility and appropriateness for this project?
PP&R - No.
GPNA - How much weight is given to the support or opposition of GPNA?
PP&R - It is very important to PP&R that the home neighborhood association (and surrounding ones too, if applicable) are supportive to park improvement projects, regardless if they are led by citizen groups or PP&R itself.
GPNA - Can you please describe the process, within Parks, between submission of the project request and final approval?
PP&R - Discussion between fgf and PP&R until all questions and omissions are satisfied. Checking code and other regulatory suppositions. Endorsements by stakeholder groups, as PP&R would identify.
GPNA - Anticipated timeframe for this process?
PP&R - No clue. They're all unique. I can say from experience however, that this sort of thing doesn't happen as quickly as the supporters would like. Just the nature of the beast when working with a large bureaucracy, when it's trying to be responsible stewards of the commonwealth.
GPNA - what about the cost to Parks for maintenance if the project is implemented?
PP&R - PP&R would have to be satisfied that it could afford any increased maintenance or utility costs at grant park, or we'd have to ensure that others bore the costs (increased user fees, payment from partners such as pps, etc.)
GPNA - Has Parks worked with Friends of Grant Football on any other projects of this or a similar nature?
PP&R - N0.
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