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Pushed forward by a dedicated core committee and scores of volunteers, donors and sponsors, the garden project transformed an unsightly, gravel parking lot into an area that is both graceful and historically meaningful to residents. Art deco light pillars, trolley track and bricks from the original 1934 Bybee Bridge were salvaged and placed on the opposing corners of SE 27th Avenue. Winding paths lead to a raised, central planter which anchors a compass rose. Each bluestone arrow is etched with an historic fact about the Eastmoreland neighborhood. Additional markers circle the planter, offering delicious, bite-sized pieces of area history. The fundraising effort to build the garden was truly home-grown, as neighbors purchased memorial bricks and benches, attended events and offered their time, talents, funds and resources to bring the garden to fruition. Local businesses and organizations donated products, event space, publicity and a host of other necessaries to help the effort. The ENA Garden Committee is thankful to all who have participated in this endeavor. The neighborhood association’s agreement with the landowner, Portland Parks & Recreation, requires an endowment to cover annual maintenance of the garden. Ongoing fundraising will feed that endowment. Feel free to contact the ENA with questions, ideas or contributions for the garden at garden@eastmoreland.org.
Who developed the Eastmoreland Garden? The garden was a joint effort of the Eastmoreland Neighborhood Association (ENA) and Portland Parks and Recreation (PP&R). PP&R has donated use of the 0.4 acre site at the corner of 27th and SE Bybee Blvd. to the ENA. It was the site of the original Eastmoreland Golf Course clubhouse until 1959 and most recently has been an overflow parking lot for the links. The ENA designed and funded construction of the garden. PP&R will continue to own the land, and the ENA will fund an endowment to cover annual maintenance costs.
How long did the garden take to build and how much did it cost? The neighborhood association originally proposed that the city utilize the site for the Portland Memory Garden. When another park won that project, the ENA proceeded with a plan to build its own garden on the site. Planning for the Eastmoreland Garden began in 1999 and dirt finally hit the shovel in 2004. The process included a number of design proposals, several public information meetings, fundraising, land-use planning changes, blood, sweat and tears. The groundbreaking ceremony took place on June 12, 2004 and the garden officially opened October 30, 2004.
The basic, phase I design for the
garden cost $120,000. Of that, more than
$18,000 was in city land-use and personnel fees, $18,000 was donated labor and services
and $7,000 was earmarked for an annual maintenance endowment.
Are there other phases planned? The ultimate, master plan design for the garden is ambitious and costly to build and maintain. The garden committee endorsed creating an affordable phase I version to get the project underway. Over time, additional phases may add elements from the master plan to build the garden piece by piece, as funding and interest allows. This is a strategy commonly used for both private and public projects.
Can I still buy an engraved brick? Bricks will continue to be sold and placed in the central plaza at regular intervals. CLICK HERE to download a brick form.
What is the maintenance endowment? Prior to development, PP&R required that the ENA fund a maintenance endowment to ensure that once built, the garden would receive adequate care. Maintenance includes lawn mowing, pruning, care for sprinkler and water fountain systems, and other gardening needs as appropriate.
How will the endowment continue to be funded?
The ENA will fund the endowment
through continued sales of engraved garden bricks and other fundraising
efforts. If you wish to purchase a brick CLICK HERE. To make a donation to the
garden endowment, please contact
garden@eastmoreland.org.
What people and organizations were involved in developing the garden? The ENA Garden Committee was chaired by Dan Bracken. Members included Ben Ngan, Michele Lytle, Linda Hannan, Ken Davis, Pat Dannen, Rebecca Brandt, Rod Wojtanik and Ben Shoop (PP&R), Linda Gaudin, George Lozovoy, Russ Radcliffe, Denise Ross, Chelle Scrivens and Doug Greenberg. Special thanks to the efforts of Bruce Williams, Joyce Walls (Southeast Uplift), Mary Ellen and Ray Guimary, Carole von Schmidt, Sue Donaldson and John Sewell (PP&R), Corliss Rogers, Jane Robertson, Joanne Carlson, and Corey Verch, Clinton Huxley, Leif Handy and Jose Armando Resendiz (Seven Dees).
Rose level donors at $5,000 and above
Rhododendron level donor at $2,500 to $4,999
Azalea level donors at $1,000 to $2,499
Trillium level donors at $500 to $999
A stroll through the Eastmoreland Garden at SE 27th & Bybee Blvd. is a lesson in area history. The availability of two, art deco light pillars from the original 1934 Bybee Bridge prompted the garden committee to weave a strong, historical component into the garden design. The result is a park sprinkled with more than a dozen fascinating facts about Eastmoreland history.
Pillars, Trolley Tracks and Bricks
The 10-foot light pillars were
salvaged and placed on the opposing corners of SE 27th Avenue. The base around the
pillars comprises original trolley track from the Eastmoreland Line and its
surrounding bricks. The electric streetcar was built in 1910 by the Ladd Estate
Company to connect the city to Reed College and Eastmoreland. The line was
abandoned in 1926.
Compass The garden’s central planter and stonework incorporate a compass rose. Four large, bluestone “arrows” point in each direction and describe a key, historical element about our neighborhood that lies in that direction. Large rectangular sedimentary stones cap each compass point with the distance specified to an Oregon geographic landmark.
North: 9 miles to the
South: 189 miles to Crater Lake
East: 47 miles to
West: 65 miles to the
Historical Markers
Garden Upgrades/Sponsorship Levels It is the hope of the garden committee to upgrade the garden landscape over time from its basic form at the time of construction to more elaborate designs. Future construction or planting phases will require specific funding. Watch the neighborhood newsletter and this site for information regarding planned garden upgrades and fundraising events.
Sponsor Levels
Cash donors of $135 to $499 will
be recognized on an engraved brick. Donors of $500 and more will be recognized
on an inlaid plaque. Tree sponsors ($750) will be recognized on an
engraved plaque. Donations of any amount are always welcome and appreciated. All funds go toward maintaining and upgrading the garden and are tax deductible.
Prior to development, PP&R required that the ENA fund a maintenance endowment to ensure that once built, the garden would receive adequate care. Maintenance includes lawn mowing, pruning, care for sprinkler and water fountain systems, and other gardening needs as appropriate, and costs approximately $7,000 each year. The endowment will be funded through continued sales of engraved garden bricks and other fundraising efforts. If you wish to purchase a brick CLICK HERE. To make a donation to the garden endowment, please contact garden@eastmoreland.org. Personalized bricks are always for sale to help fund the Eastmoreland Garden maintenance. A personalized brick in this lovely, community setting is an excellent way to welcome your newborn, highlight your entire family or memorialize a loved one. Bricks are engraved and installed about 2-3 times a year.. CLICK HERE to download a brick form.
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