Remembering our founding board chair, Josephine “Joey” Pope

"The bottom line is that we’re here to raise much-needed money for parks … There’s such a discrepancy between areas such as Cully and Grant Park. We need to reach for what seems impossible and think in the long term.”  

- Josephine “Joey” Pope, PPF founding board chair, July 2001,
on why Portland needs a parks foundation

The Portland Parks Foundation exists today thanks to the vision and dedication of our founding board members including our founding board chair, Josephine “Joey” Pope. Joey was instrumental in developing the concept of a city-wide parks nonprofit for Portland to help address the inequities in our parks and recreation system, and to ensure that we think strategically about advancing a thriving parks system for all.

Joey passed away on October 2, 2024. As her family shared with us in her obituary, “Joey dedicated her time and energy to Portland's parks and people.” For those of you who were lucky enough to work alongside Joey, you understand that the depth of her dedication had no boundaries.

She had big visions for parks and wasn’t afraid to advocate for them through real action and leadership. “We need to consider Portland in many ways – gardens, natural areas, as a green city, the ability to walk and hike everywhere – and look at the system as a whole and how it connects,” said Joey Pope in reference to the overall goal of PP&R’s 2020 Vision Plan and the creation of a Portland Parks Foundation. After contributing to the idea of a foundation, she went on to lead it in the following years -  building a coalition of businesses, community members and parks advocates who cared deeply about elevating the importance of parks and outdoor space. We continue to advance this goal today through PPF’s current playground replacement project, Friends & Allies summits, small grants and award programs, and our commitment to finding sustainable funding for our parks system.

Over the last few decades, Joey remained involved in PPF even after she was no longer on the board. A few years ago, she helped create an emerging leadership program with the Portland Parks Foundation to support future parks leaders. It is our honor to continue her legacy as a leader in Portland through our work at PPF, and more specifically, through our annual Joey Pope Award for Parks Leadership. 

Joey leaves us with a clear vision for the parks and the gift of an organization that advocates for access to public parks and recreation for all Portland residents. I look forward to continuing to join forces with you, the Portland community, to carry out her vision of an equitable parks system for all.

Photo collage: Left: Joey with wheelbarrow; Center: Joey Pope and Betsy Bergstein, May 2005; Right: Barbara Allen, Joey Pope (center), Emily Crumpacker in Washington Park circa 2008

Announcing PPF’s 2023 Joey Pope Nominees and the 2023 Honoree!

The Portland Parks Foundation is excited to announce its second-ever Joey Pope Award for Parks Leadership nominees and honoree!

Guided by her belief that parks and the outdoors are for everyone and an essential part of Oregon life, Josephine “Joey” Pope has devoted over four decades of her life to activism, philanthropy, and leadership in making Portland’s parks system more accessible to all.

In the spirit of Joey’s legacy, The Portland Parks Foundation, in partnership with the Pope family, has established an endowment fund to support emerging leaders advancing accessibility and innovation in Portland’s parks system.

This award includes a $10,000 grant plus wrap-around support from PPF to advance the goals of the recipient and their organization.

Joey Pope out in the field.

This year, we received 11 nominees highlighting the work of leaders in Portland. These leaders were nominated for their work to make parks and green spaces more equitable, more inviting, and more responsive to the communities that utilize them.

We celebrate and acknowledge the work of all of our nominees:

• Black Futures Farm

• Brent Atchley, Push Movement

• Dean Dickinson, Skaters for Portland Skateparks

• Green Lents

• Jayanika Lawrence, Friends of Zenger Farm

• Juntu Capistrano Oberg, Northwest Trail Alliance

• Maritza Oropeza Kritz

• Peter Johnson, Portland Waterfront Pavilion

• Prashant Kakad, Dance United

• Rain Pollock, Ladies of the Rose

• Urban Nature Partners, PDX

Read more about the nominees here.

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PPF is excited to announce this year’s
Joey Pope Award recipient is
Black Futures Farm!

Black Futures Farm (BFF) is a food-growing, community-building farm working off of 1.15 acres of park land in the Brentwood-Darlington Neighborhood, unceded Clackamas and Multnomah First Nations Territory. Alongside their stewardship of various fruit trees, vegetables, flowers, medicinal and cooking herbs, their deeper work is creating a gathering place for the Black community to gather, connect to the land, and support one another. At Black Futures Farm, every Sunday from May to October, is Black Sunday, a day for Black-identified folks to gather, celebrate, learn, and grow together. 

BFF’s paired devotion to equity and care for the land make them leaders in our community, and help us have a broader vision for how our parks, green spaces, and natural areas can be better shared and stewarded. Their programming centers Black voices, as well as women, LGBTQUIA+ folks, neurodivergent people, people with different abilities, and youth - those whose agency has historically been marginalized. 

They state, “We unite as a collective to uplift our community on their journey of autonomy and being leaders within spaces they have been excluded from. We focus on equity in the communities we serve and in the way we approach our relationship with the land through decolonizing the dominant culture’s way of being and knowing.” To deepen its vision, the farm is currently innovating programming based in wellness, clean energy and culturally affirming practices. These programs center the land as the source of knowledge, healing, and hope, and challenge white-centered and conservationist ideals around the environment.

This work is vital to bringing the community together while uplifting distinct community needs, practices, and histories connected to the land. We are thrilled to celebrate the Black Futures Farm as this year’s Joey Pope Award for Parks Leadership recipient. Along with receiving a $10,000 award from the Joey Pope Fund, PPF will work with BFF over the next year to advance their work through technical assistance and partnership. 

Thank you for your dedication, deep labor, and inspirational leadership, Black Futures Farm team!

Learn more about Black Futures Farm here.

Learn more about the Joey Pope Award here.

Announcing the 2022 Joey Pope Award for Parks Leadership Nominees & 2022 Honoree

Joey Pope

Guided by her belief that parks and the outdoors are for everyone and an essential part of Oregon life, Josephine “Joey” Pope has devoted over four decades of her life to activism, philanthropy, and leadership in making Portland’s parks system more accessible to all.

In the spirit of Joey’s legacy, The Portland Parks Foundation, in partnership with the Pope family, has established an endowment fund to support emerging leaders advancing accessibility and innovation in Portland’s parks system.

This award includes a $10,000 grant plus wrap-around support from PPF to advance the goals of the recipient and their organization.

Nominations were made through an online form open to everyone and promoted through the Foundation’s email newsletter and social media accounts and direct outreach. They were accepted between March 1, 2022 through March 31, 2022.

The 2022 nominees are:

Chad Brown, Love is King

Gabe Sheoships, Friends of Tryon Creek

JoAnn Vrilakas and Dr. Derron Coles, Leach Botanical Gardens and The Blueprint Foundation

Pamela Slaughter, People of Color Outdoors

Pacific North West Council of Water Protectors

Prashant Kadad, Dance United

Rob Whitson, Troll City Boathouse

Urban Nature Partners PDX

Vanport Placemarking Project

Congratulations to Pamela Slaughter of People of Color Outdoors on receiving the 2022 Joey Pope Award for Parks Leadership!

Read about each of the nominees and the incredible work they are doing in our city!

Meet the 2022 Joey Pope Award for Parks Leadership Awardee

Pamela Slaughter, People of Color Outdoors

Pamela Slaughter founded People of Color Outdoors (POCO) where black, indigenous and all people of color can enjoy and learn about nature in a safe, welcoming, caring community. POCO blends networking, outdoors career options, environmental education, history, and outdoor skills—and, “of course, fun”—while bird watching, fishing, canoeing, bike riding, and overnight camping. Still working as a realtor and using little more than email and a Facebook page, she has rallied 3,000 constituents and partnerships with, among many others, Metro, Columbia Slough Watershed Council, Audubon Society, and the Nature Conservancy.

Over the years, Pamela has evolved POCO from simple meet-ups for people of color to a growing program of environmental and cultural education. Since inception, POCO has hosted over 200 outings ranging from hiking, birding, canoeing, snowshoeing, biking and camping. As POCO continues to grow, Pamela has added youth summer camps and training opportunities for POCO members to take specific skill training coursework in order to lead future POCO outings.

Support this work and learn more: www.pdxpocoutdoors.com

Meet the people who propel PPF!

Adam Wilson

Adam Wilson is the Vice President of Merchandising for Women's Footwear at Nike Inc. He has been with the brand for 17 years, leading businesses around the globe, with a focus on building diverse, high-performing teams, and leading change with an emphasis on sustainable growth. As an Oregon native, Adam has a great appreciation for the power of nature and our green spaces to be positive forces for both physical and mental health. As a proud product of our own public education system, Adam has a passion for coaching and partners with Oregon State University to advise and mentor first-generation students and recent graduates. Adam, with his wife Kristi and son Wyatt, love getting outside to hike or paddle, play basketball and golf, and always cheering for your Portland Trail Blazers.

Why this board?

Having been privileged to visit many of the great cities of the world, I believe great parks and green spaces are what allows people to truly thrive in an urban environment, and are also vital to the long-term sustainability of humanity thriving on Earth. Portland residents have always taken pride in their parks, and I believe we can lead the way for the country on parks as a source of personal activity, renewal, mobility and a safe and welcoming place to gather as a community.

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

It's really hard to choose one, as one of my favorite parts of our park system is the variety. I have to go with Willamette Park just for the number of memories I have of biking through it with my family, playing tennis, taking our dogs to the off-leash area, or picnics along the river watching the paddlers, sailboats, and wakeboarders all share the river. It's amazing how quiet it can be throughout the week.

What do you hope to accomplish while serving?

I believe there are four major benefits of parks for our people: a place to move our bodies for exercise and expression, a connection to nature and the land, a safer method of mobility for people looking to walk/bike/roll from one place to another, and a space to gather safely whether that is a birthday party or a cultural celebration. I want to increase access to all four of those benefits to the people of Portland with a focus on greater equity and inclusion. This can result in a Portland that is more active, more mindful, more sustainable, and more connected.

JR Lilly

Ya’a’teeh! (Navajo Greeting) First thing you should know about me is that I am part of the Dine (Navajo) Nation, and more specifically I am part of the Red Running Into Water People Clan and born for the Cliff Dwelling People Clan. As a long-time advocate for Native American families here in Portland, what best describes me is the diversity of communities I am a part of. My day job, volunteer efforts, and play time all include raising our community conscience so that we can all see the beauty of all those around us. My friends would describe me as someone who loves a fun party or enjoys a solid conversation over a cigar. I believe in our collective community power that can create a preferred future for all communities, so most days you will see me advocating for our parks, East Portland issues, or for the local Native American families.

Why this board?

Simply put, Mother Earth needs an advocate. She takes care of us in so many ways it our responsibility to mutually care for her as well. Growing up parks where always a safe place for me and my siblings when we had some violence going on in our home. I remember being able to step away for the craziness of life to enjoy the playground, running in an open field, or just sit on the bench with my grandma. They hold such a sacred space for me to this day in such a way that it only makes sense that I do everything I can to keep them healthy. Not to mention this board shares the same values and love to have fun just like I do.

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

Tough one, it would either be Cully Park or Gateway Discovery Park. Cully Park has the Native Gathering Garden where the local Native American Community has helped shape that creation of that space while design input. It a space where I go for some morning prayers to greet the sun in the morning or just for an evening walk reflect on how good life is that day. But I do have so many fun memories with my younger siblings at Gateway Discovery Park. Especially with Summer Free For All events like Movies in the Park, Bubble Soccer, and yummy summer lunch. We could play in that park all day!

What do you hope to accomplish while serving?

#LandBack. Which is the stewardship of our natural areas and park spaces back to the Indigenous Knowledge and Wisdom of the local Tribal Communities. Beyond a Land Acknowledgement and listening to our elders for guidance on planting, harvesting medicine, and ceremony. There is so much we can learn from this viewpoint that will benefit our Plant Relatives, heal all our Communities, and bring us back to what my people call “Walking In Beauty”.

Mary Ruble

Deeply involved in the Portland community during her nearly four decade long career at U.S. Bank, Mary Ruble served on numerous boards including the Portland Parks Foundation, Portland Parks Board, Regional Arts and Culture Council, Nature Conservancy of Oregon, Self Enhancement, Inc, Rose Festival and Portland Center Stage. Now a full time community advocate, Mary is also an avid outdoors person spending time in many of Oregon’s natural and scenic areas.

Why this board?

The Portland Parks Foundation presents an opportunity to support natural areas and parks through public-private partnerships. I strongly believe in this model. Portland’s parks and open spaces are special and they need extra care and feeding. The Foundation helps fill gaps by enhancing the beauty, access and usability of our parks and natural areas. PPF’s work brings joy to Portlanders and those who visit here. I am proud to have been involved in Portland’s parks and recreation system for over 20 years.

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

I would be the Hoyt Arboretum. I love the meandering trails filled with hikers, the blooming magnolias in spring, the majesty of the towering pines and redwoods, the simplicity of the ground cover, the views of our great city. These speak to me in all seasons and remind me how lucky we are to live in a place that has kept parks, trails and open spaces sacred so all can enjoy.

What do you hope to accomplish while serving?

My goal in joining this board was to help expand our reach so we could have a more meaningful and lasting impact on our city. I think we have made great strides. We have a strong and diverse board, excellent staff, ideas and opportunities galore, and the will and donor base to achieve goals that might have once seemed out of reach. We are well on our way as we celebrate our 20th anniversary!

Rich George

Rich George works as an Associate General Counsel for Portland General Electric and has worked as an attorney there for nearly twenty years. He is responsible for providing legal advice and analyzing risk to the company for many different areas, including environmental compliance and policy, nuclear, hydroelectric and renewable energy. He often appears before state and federal regulatory agencies, including the Oregon Public Utility Commission, Department of Environmental Quality, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, etc). Rich received a degree in Human Biology from Stanford University in 1993 and attended law school at the University of Oregon, graduating in 1997. Prior to joining PGE, Rich worked as an attorney in both law firms. Rich has also worked for the Oregon Department of Justice.

Why this Board?

I love urban Portland and the outdoors. The parks are the connective tissue for me that combines these two and melds our neighborhoods together. Parks provide the destination, the fresh air and the transportation corridors for me when I’m hiking through the east side of Portland. I recognize the importance of parks to so many people in Portland and I worry about them. I worry about maintaining them, ensuring access and equitable use and distribution. So that’s why I joined the PPF Board.

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

Springwater Corridor. This is a park and also a connection of many different parks. A huge number of people use this for recreation, transportation, etc. I like to see myself similarly to this park, as I often act as a facilitator, bringing people together or providing them a direction to go and solutions. Much like this park (also, I’m skinny too) : )

What do you hope to accomplish while serving?

My time is coming to an end after two terms, but I love where PPF is going. I’m leaving it as a solid organization, with an incredibly strong board and staff that has a vision for bringing Diversity, Equity and Inclusion to the forefront and making parks more accessible to the underserved parts of Portland. We’ve helped pass the Parks Levy, which will ensure a return to programming and vibrant parks for years to come. I’ve only had a small role, but I am so proud of what this organization has accomplished.

Meet the people who propel PPF!

Mary Anne Cassin

Mary Anne Cassin is a retired parks professional who is passionate about maintaining Portland's special places for future generations. Her career spanned three decades and included service for Metro and private landscape architecture firms as well as her 25 years with Portland Parks. She was honored to be inducted as a Fellow with the American Society of Landscape Architects in 2018 for her contributions to the profession.

Why this board?

She has chosen to work with the PPF because as a separate non-profit organization, it increases the visibility and sustainability of parks as a vital cultural and environmental resource.

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

If I could be any park, I would be Pioneer Courthouse Square because I love it when broad swaths of people come together to share joy, the change in seasons, and cultural events... Plus I love a good party!

What do you hope to accomplish while serving?

I would love to see the Foundation complete its evolution into a thriving, well-known organization that helps people help their parks.

Bob Gandolfi

Bob Gandolfi came to Oregon in 1974 to complete a masters degree at the University of Oregon and instantly fell in love with Oregon. He became the Director of Outdoor Recreation for Portland Parks and Recreation and was there for 17 years. In 2001, PP&R contracted him to work on the opening of the Eastbank Esplanade as well as to collaborate on a citywide event called The Illuminata Parade of Light. For the next 15 years he produced events that included private and public openings, nonprofit fundraisers, parties and events for corporate and private clients. In 46 years of living in Portland, he has been involved in civic engagement and has crossed paths with many diverse people who call this great city home. Bob continues to enjoy outdoor pursuits and gardening.

Why this Board?

I was asked by a friend who was serving on the board to join—I had been aware for years about the Foundation and saw this as a good fit and a way to apply my skills and respect for public parks and recreation. 

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

I would pick Forest Park—I’ve spent countless hours hiking and biking the trails and it is a wonderful place of refuge for me.  

What do you hope to accomplish while serving?

I hope to expand the reach of the Foundation to a new donor base and to provide equitable access to people in parks and open spaces.

Julie Vigeland

Julie Vigeland

Why this board?

Being appointed to the Parks Board was a game changer for Julie. Yes, she used and enjoyed our city parks but she became informed about the many issues involving parks. Working with Commissioner Fish, as the board chair, gave her an insight to the myriad aspects of the PP&R system. She was hooked. So, when she had an opportunity to further her work for Portland Parks…she jumped. At the time the board was struggling. Being a part of re-building the board and staff has been fulfilling and rewarding. The bottom line? Julie feels as though she can make a difference for Portland and Portlanders given her time spent with the Foundation.

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

If she could be a park it would be Alberta Park. On walks with her daughter during the pandemic, they have walked lots of areas of the city and that means…lots of parks. Alberta Park was one they returned to as it was so welcoming. The tall stands of trees, the people (all with masks!) enjoying the dog designated portion of the park, children running free under parental guidance. It is clearly a place of wonder during “normal” times. During a pandemic, it is a place of safety, fresh air, and casual greetings of neighbors and others, like us, who come to visit. I would hope to be like this park -- welcoming, open to all, and fun-loving.

What do you hope to accomplish while serving?

Serving my term and beyond (as past president and now emeritus member,) it has been a privilege to be a part of the growth and regeneration of the Foundation. We’ve built a small but outstanding staff, we have a board that brings diversity of thought and experience to our work, and we are not “stuck” in one place. We are moving forward in creative yet measured ways. It is my privilege to continue to serve as we bring the Foundation further into the consciousness of the community we serve. Together we can do ever greater things for Portlanders and Portland parks!

Jonathan Nicholas

Jonathan Nicholas was born and raised in the coal-mining valleys of Wales. He was 14 years old when his grandfather, a coal miner, first took him 1,500 feet underground. The experience gave him a renewed interest in schoolwork. He graduated from the University of Bristol and then spent four years working on a series of international aid projects in the Himalayas. In 1975, he helped found the first Himalayan National Park. He joined The Oregonian newspaper in 1982 and spent 25 years there. In 1988, Nicholas invited readers to join him on a bicycle ride across Oregon. Each September for 30 years, thousands of cyclists from all over the world participated in Cycle Oregon. Jonathan joined Moda in 2008 and serves as a vice president, helping the company fulfill its mission of building healthier communities.

Why this board?

I work at a health company. We believe Green Therapy is every bit as important as Gene Therapy. Access to nature is critical to public health. Parks are the gateway drug to the great outdoors.

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

I’d have to say the Eastbank Esplanade. I have walked or cycled it almost every day for 25 years. It’s a park, a transportation corridor, an urban oasis, a tourist attraction, a selfie station and a swimming hole. It’s everything you want a city park to be.

What do you hope to accomplish while serving?

It’s right there in our mission statement. I want to help people help parks.

Meet the people who propel PPF!

PPF's board members come from many walks of parks and life. This month, we asked four of them why they serve and what park they would be if they could be a park. Read each of their full profiles below.

Karen Kervin

As Community Affairs Manager/Oregon for U.S. Bank, Karen Kervin helps non-profit organizations across the state of Oregon work toward their goals. Karen’s professional contributions to U.S. Bank and its community stakeholders requires a full-time focus on those building blocks that help communities thrive: stable employment, a home to call one’s own and a community connected through arts, culture, and recreation.

Why this board?

The PPF Board is one place I choose to engage as a volunteer, as the work of ensuring our parks and open spaces remain viable and accessible to all is a key component of maintaining a livable and prosperous community. I have seen first-hand the increase in use of Portland parks during this pandemic year. People are using our parks as a way to gather responsibly, enjoy nature and play, and even for a few minutes, perhaps enjoy a sense of normalcy.

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

If I could be a Portland park it would be Gabriel Park (or Gabes as we call it). Gabes has it all – hills and flat areas, forest and fields, skateboard park and play structures, a stream, a community center, a community garden and two dog parks. 

What do you hope to accomplish while serving?

In my service as a PPF Board member, I hope to bring whatever time, talent and resources I can to help maintain a healthy and thriving network of parks for all to enjoy. Making connections with community members, thanking donors, raising funds, considering grant awards and planning for events with like-minded individuals are all activities I have enjoyed in my short time on the board. It’s an exciting and challenging time to be part of any nonprofit organization.

Silas Sanderson

Silas Sanderson is a Professional Civil Engineer with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers where he works on environmental restoration projects, risk assessments of flood risk reduction structures, and seismic assessments of infrastructure. Originally from Boston, Silas was drawn to the natural beauty of the Pacfic Northwest.

Why this board? 

I love the outdoors and parks are the outdoors at your doorstep. For me they are a place to gather, recharge, and recreate. Portland is fortunate to have so many great parks.

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

Easy. Forest Park. There is nothing more recharging to my soul than a trail run or a post-work ride through Forest Park.

What do you hope to accomplish while serving? 

At PPF, we help people help parks. I'm looking forward to empowering Portland's communities to realize the vision that they have for their parks.

Melissa Naito

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.

Jack Jewsbury

Jack Jewsbury is a real estate broker for the Hasson Company. Prior to joining Hasson, Jack was a professional soccer player in Major League Soccer for 14 years; his first eight seasons were in Kansas City with the KC Wizards (now Sporting KC) before being traded to the Portland Timbers in March of 2011. After six seasons with the Timbers, he retired from professional soccer and joined the club on the business side as Director of Business Development for four years. He is still a Community Ambassador for the Timbers organization but is now working with the Hasson team full-time. 

Jack is originally from Springfield, Missouri, where he grew up before attending Saint Louis University. After graduating from SLU, he married his high school sweetheart. They have been married for 14 years and have two daughters, ages 9 and 11, who keep them busy with their love of dance and soccer. The Jewsbury family has lived in Lake Oswego for the last eight years.

Why this board?

I chose to join the PPF board because when moving to PDX in 2011, parks were crucial in making the city feel like home for our family. We knew very few people in town so parks became that outlet for us to be active and meet others in our community!

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

If I could be one Portland park, it would have to be Holly Farm Park. This park just brings back so many wonderful memories as our kids were growing up. From afternoon picnics, to learning how to ride their bikes and playing soccer in the grass there - Holly Farm Park will always be a special place for us!

What do you hope to accomplish while serving? 

I hope that we can showcase how important Portland parks are to the fabric of our city. Now more than ever, parks can be at the forefront of creating places where all feel welcome and continuing to strengthen our communities in PDX!

(Photo credit: CC BY-SA 2.0)

Meet Our Newest Board Members

In 2020, PPF added four dynamic new board members. Here’s a look at who they are, what they hope to accomplish, and if they could actually be a park, which one would each choose to be.

Martina Bialek

Martina Bialek currently works at Latino Network, a Portland nonprofit serving the Latinx community in the region. She is the force behind all marketing and communications strategies to educate the public and raise awareness on the issues that affect the lives of Latinos in the region. Storytelling is Martina’s true passion, and as she says, “there is a great difference between a messenger and a storyteller.” When Martina isn’t drafting press releases and blog posts, she is spending time with her husband Richard, a native Oregonian, and her dogs Marley and Chicha.

Why this board?

Growing up in South America during a time of extreme economic instability, I seldom had opportunities to recreate in public spaces safely. Living in Portland taught me how Oregonians find pride and joy in their public spaces, recreate in them regularly and respect the connection between the city and the nature around it. I fell in love with the way people interact with parks and I wanted to have a more active role in reminding people why parks are awesome!

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

My husband and I got engaged at the Rose garden, so if I had to choose a Portland park, it would be Washington Park. I have countless experiences there, be it my engagement or the many hikes with friends and my pets. It’s always an inviting place that offers stillness and quietness just minutes from Portland's hustle and bustle.

What do you hope to accomplish while serving?

I hope to be a bridge between PPF and other communities, bring neighbors together and share the beauty that Portland parks have to offer, not only to the people who have historically enjoyed them regularly, but also to those who are still trying to find their place within public spaces.

Maja Viklands Harris

Maja Viklands Harris is a writer, policy analyst and facilitator. A native Swede who immigrated to the United States in 2003, Maja is journalist by trade who nowadays spends most of her time in the political and philanthropic arenas. She is a director of the Hormel Harris Foundation, whose initiatives include support for affordable housing, criminal justice reform, food security, mental health and substance abuse treatment and services. She is also an active member of the philanthropic organization ninety-nine girlfriends in Portland and SW Washington. In her previous community of Lincoln, NE, Maja served as a planning commissioner and board chair of both the library and the zoo and has been involved in mayoral, city council, and state legislative races. Ongoing consulting and advisory engagements include initiatives to democratize the public input process and to draft and implement equitable, people-centered urban planning policy.

Why this board?

Few public investments can deliver as much bang for the buck as parks. The public health and environmental benefits of parks, along with parks’ contributions to livability, urban design and general quality of life, are hard to beat. Jane Jacobs, the mother of modern urban planning, said that people must take a modicum of public responsibility for each other even if they have no ties to each other. To me, parks are perfect examples of all of us taking that responsibility to care for each other and our shared environment, and then directly experiencing the positive results of that collective impact as we enjoy all that parks have to offer.

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

Right now I would choose Peninsula Park because it’s my children’s favorite, and I wish I could bottle up the joy that they experience there.

What do you hope to accomplish while serving?

Both maintaining and improving access to the parks system are priorities for me. As a parent of elementary school children I am very interested in the importance of play to children’s development, and parks have a huge role to play in offering those benefits to all children equally.

Subashini Ganesan

Subashini Ganesan is an artist, arts administrator, and the Creative Laureate of Portland. Ganesan choreographs and performs potent and universally relevant expressions drawn from her foundation in Bharatanatyam. Her original works have been presented by PICA, Conduit, Performance Works NW, Ten Tiny Dances, Portland Center Stage, Third Angle New Music, and Risk/Reward. In 2010, Ganesan founded New Expressive Works (N.E.W.), a vibrant performing arts venue in Portland that celebrates multicultural independent performing artists who teach, are in residency, and create bold new works. She serves on the Board of Directors for the James F. & Marion L. Miller Foundation and the Portland Parks Foundation. 

Why this board?

Parks fulfill a promise that public and nature-filled spaces are important for urban dwellers. Portland is blessed with everything from Forest Park, where we can almost forget that we live in a city, to Peninsula Park, which is a solid urban park that provides gathering spaces for families, swimming lessons for youth, and everything in between. I have joined this Board to increase park resources and access to parts of our city that have historically been under-served. Public spaces have always had and will continue to have a deeply significant role in how our pluralistic community builds relationships across cultures and socio-economic status. PPF has been steadily building pathways and leading the way in this role. 

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

Ahh so hard. Mount Tabor, I think. First Off, I can walk to it and the sunset views are magnificent. Secondly, how can I pass up being one of four extinct volcanoes within a City boundary? And, of course, let's not forget that every summer (not including 2020...) it becomes the hub for the Portland Adult Soapbox Derby! 

What do you hope to accomplish while serving?

I am interested in how PPF continues building relationships that lead to trusting collaboration across multicultural communities in our city. We have built a great rapport with many organizations through our Small Grants Program. How can we now take the next step to build authentic, long-lasting relationships that honor our parks communities which are represented by humans from a diversity of race, ethnicity, national origin, gender identity, sexual orientation, class, disability status, and age? I am also really committed to continuing the work of conceptualizing and taking action on where park spaces are located, what amenities they provide, how arts & culture can thrive in these spaces, and how "safe" they feel for a diverse (as opposed to a homogenous) community. 

Vicky Schwoeffermann

Vicky Schwoeffermann, born and raised in Boston, MA, earned her BA in Criminal Justice and her Masters in Human Services from Northeastern University. She believes her purpose in life is to be a voice for the community and advocate for those who need critical support to overcome cultural, educational, and economic barriers. She brings over 15 years of experience in supporting leadership training programs, fundraising, management, events, and strategy. She currently supports several organizations including Harvard University, Oregon Food Bank, and HOLLA. In her spare time, she enjoys running and hiking with her husband, Tamu, her 7-year-old son, Kenzo, and her 5-year-old daughter, Simra.

Why this board?

The mission of Portland Parks Foundation—to strengthen communities and provide a sense of belonging for everyone in Portland—makes it crucial for me to be in this space at this time. I think our parks are uniquely divine—the green spaces here connect us all and are a crucial part of our city's identity. 

Unfortunately, COVID has revealed additional inequities that exist with different populations, specifically African Americans and other people of color. What is unique about Portland Parks Foundation is that we are going about making parks better in an equitable way. We are trying to listen to the community and elicit voices about what things are missing in our parks. How can we make them better, how can we adapt and be agile given the times? How can we grow support for more parks in different areas?

What do you hope to accomplish while serving?

Growing up I used to spend most of my summer days in the parks of Boston swinging a tennis racket and running around the court. I used to play tennis in the park for probably about eight hours a day with friends and family. I was even afforded the opportunity to play tennis with Venus and Serena Williams through a sponsorship program called Tenacity Summer Tennis Reading Program. The community rallied around and brought their arms around the kids of the community. That is what I want to do for others because it was a place of so much joy for me. I want to provide this joy for the community.

Small Grants Recipients Read, Paddle and Repair

The Portland Parks Foundation is happy to announce our Fall 2020 grantees

PPF’s small grants program aims to support local organizations that steward public parks, park programs, community gardens and natural areas.  This fall our community-based review committee selected three organizations centering equity in their programming with proven adaptability during times of COVID-19 restrictions to continue bringing parks-related programming to marginalized communities in Portland.    

City Repair and Ecological Landscaping

The City Repair Project, $2,500

The City Repair Project facilitates “artistic, social justice and ecological placemaking through projects that honor the interconnection of human communities and the natural world.” City Repair manages village building programs for individuals experiencing houselessness, sponsors popular placemaking events such as Pickathon, and organizes Earth Day celebrations. Through their programming, they “aim to nuture public participation in parks, community gardens and natural areas.”

This small grant will build organizational capacity and directly support City Repair’s ecological landscaping and permaculture community trainings and online workshops, and their 21st annual Village Building Convergence. A portion of the funds will be used to offer paid opportunities for community members to guest teach workshops in their effort to prioritize Black, Indigenous People of Color and LGBTQ+ community members. 

Summer Free For All Bookmobile Camp

The Bookmobile Babe, $2,500

The Bookmobile Babe’s mobile libraries address the critical importance of childhood literacy and the reading gap that often occurs every summer. This grant will directly fund free books and free literacy programs for children ages 0-18, in addition to supporting the program’s dedicated volunteers. For the last three years, Bookmobile Babe has partnered with Summer Free for All’s Free Lunch + Play programming in Lents and Creston Parks. Free Lunch + Play sites provide free lunches and play opportunities at sites throughout the city where the need for nutritious meals is most critical. The Bookmobile Babe’s partnership provides additional opportunities for these families to engage in summer reading.

The Bookmobile Babe operates on a small but impactful scale, and has done so successfully for three years, including this past summer with COVID-19 precautions in place. This grant will enhance their successful program so that even more children may have access to literacy support in the summer when they need it most. 

Columbia Slough Bilingual Paddle Leaders

Columbia Slough Watershed Council, $2,473

The Columbia Slough Watershed Council (CSWC) maintains and advocates for a healthy watershed for all Portlanders. They recognize the many physical and emotional benefits that outdoor recreation offers. Furthermore, “engaging with local natural areas and parks motivates Portland community members to protect these areas.” Historically, immigrant communities have lacked access and awareness to the outdoor recreation opportunities Portland offers. To address this inequity, CSWC has partnered with Slavic and Latinx communities to develop a bilingual paddle program which provides an opportunity to learn kayak and canoe skills while also teaching about the history and ecology of the watershed. An integral component of this program is recruiting and training bilingual paddle leaders from the Latinx and Slavic communities. Funds from PPF’s small grant will be used to grow the program through training sessions where existing paddle leaders will come together to train new ones as well as provide information sessions on additional environmental topics of interest to these two communities. 

For more information and to read about past grantees, check out our Small Grants Program page.

Contact Jessica Green at jgreen@portlandpf.org with any questions.

Portland Parks Foundation welcomes new Executive Director Randy Gragg

Portland Parks Foundation (PPF) welcomes Randy Gragg as the new Executive Director. Gragg succeeds Jeff Anderson who recently retired from the role. Bringing a dynamic background in journalism, urban planning, and advocacy, Gragg will lead the organization that serves as the chief philanthropic partner for the City of Portland’s Parks & Recreation.

For nearly 30 years, Gragg has helped to shape conversations about the city of Portland’s spaces and culture. His leadership and advocacy has helped champion a number of public parks projects, including Eastbank Esplanade, Pioneer Courthouse Square, and Lawrence Halprin’s Portland Open Space Sequence, also known as Lovejoy Fountain, Pettyrove Park, and Keller Fountain.

“The Portland Parks Foundation is proud of the impacts we've made on Portland’s Parks system, most recently the Barbara Walker Footbridge over Burnside, opening next summer,” said Mary Ruble, the foundation’s Board Chair. ”With Randy Gragg at the helm of the Foundation, our goal is to increase our visibility and expand our range of public/private partnerships to build a stronger and more vibrant parks and recreation system throughout Portland. We are honored to have Randy join us, and look to his vision and experience to take us to new heights.“

As a journalist, Gragg served as Editor-in-Chief at Portland Monthly Magazine from 2009-2013 and as a columnist and reporter at the Oregonian for 17 years. More recently he has developed exhibitions and public programs with Design Week Portland. From 2013-2017, Gragg was the Executive Director of the University of Oregon’s John Yeon Center for Architecture and the Landscape where he developed a major 2017 retrospective for the Portland Art Museum on the seminal Oregon architect and landscape designer John Yeon.

“Portland is entering an exciting era,” Gragg said. “The city is growing dramatically, not just in numbers, but with deepening cultural diversity, creativity, and awareness. With the Parks Foundation’s 16-year legacy of good work to build on, we’re ready to partner with Portland’s wide-ranging communities to create new parks and programs, refresh those we have, even rethink what a park is and where it can be.”

Gragg was a Loeb Fellow at Harvard University’s Graduate School of Design and an inaugural National Arts Journalism Fellow at Columbia University. His volunteer affiliations include roles as a board member with Pioneer Courthouse Square and the Alumni Council Loeb Fellowship at Harvard University. As board chair of the Halprin Landscape Conservancy, he co-led the development of an innovative $4.5-million public/private partnership to restore Halprin’s world-renowned fountain plazas.

Portland Parks & Recreation recently came under the leadership of City Commissioner Nick Fish, who will also be the Foundation’s City Council liaison. “Randy is a respected community leader and will bring a strong vision during this time of growth for the Portland Parks Foundation,” said Portland Parks Commissioner Nick Fish. “I look forward to building on our longstanding partnership and expanding Portland’s world-class parks and recreation system.”

About Portland Parks Foundation

The Portland Parks Foundation is devoted to building a thriving and accessible parks system for a healthy, sustainable, and creative Portland. We are the chief philanthropic partner for Portland Parks & Recreation. Through leadership, partnership, and philanthropy, we advance the City of Portland’s commitment to excellence, equity, inclusion, and good stewardship of our public parks. PPF will soon complete the Barbara Walker Footbridge over Burnside.  We have played key roles in the creation of Cully Park, Director Park, the Bill Naito Legacy Fountain, the Gateway Green Master Plan, and the Dawson Park interactive fountain. PPF also provides technical assistance and financial support to parks affiliates and friends groups.

Photo courtesy of Sabina Poole.

Community Connections through new PPF Board Leadership

Meet JR Lilly, PPF's newest member of the Board of Directors. JR brings with him a deep connection to the Native community as well as a true love of parks and respect for the value that they bring to life in an urban setting. PPF is honored to welcome JR to our team. 

JR Lilly
Civic Engagement Coordinator, Native American Youth & Family Center (NAYA)

What is your favorite neighborhood park? My favorite park is Peninsula Park which is always worth the drive across town no matter where I live. I just moved and my neighborhood park is going to be Thomas Cully Park (opening Jun 30).

What is your favorite thing to do in a park? Growing up I was in all the sports, so anything active is great. Some of my best memories are with friends playing kickball on a nice sunny day. Our parks are always great for a simple walk or to toss the football with family.

What inspired you to join the Portland Parks Foundation's board? I love our parks! And I want to make sure that everyone in Portland has access to a place that is safe, fun, and welcome. The Portland Parks Foundation does great work and I look forward to supporting those efforts.