Dawson Park (Portland, Oregon)

Signage for the park in 2013
Gazebo in 2013

Dawson Park is a park in north Portland, Oregon, in the United States. The 2.05-acre park, located at North Stanton Street and North Williams Avenue, was acquired by Portland Parks & Recreation in 1921.[1]

History

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, used community input to avoid ruining the park's role as a gathering place favored by African Americans.[2] 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 includes double-sided medallions designed by Isaka Shamsud-Din, featuring traditional African patterns on one side and depictions of the neighborhood on the opposite side.[3]

See also

References

  1. "Dawson Park". Portland Parks & Recreation. Retrieved November 21, 2013.
  2. Parks, Casey (September 10, 2016). "North Williams gentrified. Its park didn't. How Dawson Park survived as a black hub". The Oregonian. Retrieved September 10, 2016.
  3. Parks, Casey (November 18, 2013). "Dawson Park construction begins; park will close until June". The Oregonian. Retrieved November 21, 2013.

Coordinates: 45°32′39″N 122°40′03″W / 45.54416667°N 122.66750000°W / 45.54416667; -122.66750000

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