Melissa Naito is a Community Advocate who serves on the boards of KairosPDX and The Portland Parks Foundation. She was a staff member to former City Commisioner Gretchen Kafoury and worked for Portland’s Bureau of Development Services for many years. She has volunteered with many organizations in Portland including Catlin Gabel School and the Multnomah Athletic Club. She is a proud soccer mom to a collegiate soccer player.

Why PFF Board?

It is a great way to help shape the City's future by making all our parks and open spaces accessible to everyone no matter where you live.  It is an opportunity to educate the community about our many terrific parks and to advocate for those whose voices are not always heard.

If you could be a Portland park, which one would you be and why? 

I would be Washington Park. It has a little bit of everything! I love the contemplative spaces like The Holocaust Memorial and the Japanese Garden. You can play tennis or practice archery and you can walk on trails and play with children in open spaces and on terrific play equipment.  

What do you hope to accomplish while serving? 

I hope to give all Portlanders a sense of ownership of their parks and open spaces.  I hope to make all of us feel welcome in any of these spaces.  We have so much to offer here in Portland from natural areas, where you can see birds and other animals to more formal gardens where you can touch and smell the beautiful flowers.  We have a rich history of caring for and building parks.  I want to participate in that for the next generation.