STEWARDSHIP

Sending out a big thanks to LOCR for spreading 35 yards of mulch at Foothill Park in less than 2 hours!

ACC

To share the good works of the ACC:

This is from a client: Just want to share with you how grateful our client is because we made a transport chair available so that her friend could go to the Convention Center to get her first dose of the vaccine. Our client indicated that it would not have been possible if the transport chair was not available.

 

ACC

The 50+ Advisory Board ask for a program to be offered that would allow them to know more about the Adult Center.  The members of the 50+ wanted to be able to speak to neighbors about all the services the ACC has to offer, to become “Ambassadors”.  We presented the program for the first time this week.

Arts Council

This week I was invited to an Arts Council of LO preview of the 2021-2023 sculptures that will be on display this summer as public art pieces within the Gallery Without Walls program. There are eleven exciting and dynamic pieces in total that will continue to enrich, educate and enliven Lake Oswego.   Three artists gave presentations on their pieces, Kyle Ocean from Colorado spoke about Splice, a steel piece with patina and paint, and Ben Dye spoke about his piece, Harmony in the Balance, made of steel and automotive paint and the final chat was by Ren Swanson for her piece Dancing Moon Velocity made of enameled mild steel and painted.  My favorite in the collection is this really cool piece called Big Bright Brookie by Rick True made of aluminum, vinyl, auto wrap, automotive paint and steel. It’s a fish of course!  -Jan Wirtz

STEWARDSHIP

The ivy didn’t have a chance during the Mar. 6^th, SA., Stewardship invasive species work party. Friends of Lily Bay Natural Area led 10 volunteers to remove ivy, blackberry and clematis from this gem of natural area. Adults and several students from LOHS and LOJH showed great determination as they pulled together to restore the habitat.

Friends of Lily Bay Natural Area were thrilled to see the sword ferns they planted in 2019 were healthy and had tripled in size!

EVENTS

Last Sunday, Lake Oswego Parks & Recreation’s Special Event team hosted the first ever Farmers’ Market in Lake Grove! This pilot program will continue on Sundays through the end of April from 1-5pm on Hallmark Drive between Collins Way and Mercantile Drive. The Special Events team was delighted with the success of opening day. A lineup for entry into the market stretched from Collins Way to Douglas Way. Many vendors reported sellouts within the first few hours and we even had some sunny weather to boot. Market patrons reported that they were thrilled to have a market on the 97035 side of town and enjoyed the afternoon timeframe. Customers and vendors alike hope to make the Lake Grove Farmers’ Market a permanent event in the community.

 

 

LUSCHER FARM TASK FORCE

The Task Force held a final meeting on Wednesday March 3, 2021 to review suggestions and confirm a final recommendation on interests concerning  Urban Agriculture Expansion and Environmental Education. The Task Force has been meeting with representatives from The Parks Board, 47^th Ave Farm, Friends of Rogerson Clematis Collection, the Historic Resources Advisory Board, The Friends of Luscher Farm, Community Garden Program and Lake Oswego Parks & Recreation staff members.  The Task Force report of findings and the final recommendation will be forwarded to the Department Director Anderholm for review, action and implementation.   More info to come in the next few weeks. Many thanks to the facilitator, Charity Taylor and to the members of the Task Force for their insights and input into the process.

PARKS

Parks Storm Clean UP- The week of February 15^th 20 park locations due to hazardous storm damage and 14 days later there are now only 4 areas that remain closed.  The majority of this work occurred with Parks staff only as contracted crews were still supporting street clearing effort.  Hazard trees come first! This past week contractors have been able to get into some into parks and bordering residential properties drop hazardous tree that staff could not.  Big victories included the opening of Springbrook Park that was hit hard by this storm and Hallinan Woods that was hit hard the January storm.  This cleanup effort includes residential properties that we are working though who had tree impacts from Parks trees as well. Lots of coordination and team work at its best!

 

In addition Athletic Fields were opened this week and Basketball hoops were put back up as contact sports are allowed by OHA.

CULTURAL

In person classes resumed this week at CCP, including a Little Masters Art Class, Skyhawks STEM Soccer, Fencing and the re-opening of The Teen Lounge!  All programs are compliant with OHA guidelines associated with programs in the “moderate risk” county category.  In total, we’ve been able to welcome over 50+ kiddos back to in-person classes!

ACC

It is official, the Medical Ride Reimbursement Program goes live on March 1.  The ACC designed the program funded by grant dollars to reimburse older LO residents for a medical ride taken with a ride share company, up to $50.00. We are excited to provide a resource to make transportation to and from medical appointments a bit more accessible with financial support.

GOLF

In lieu of the course and range remaining closed we have made arrangements to conduct our golf classes temporarily at the Trails End Golf Center in Oregon City.   

PARKS

All the storm stuff

Iron Mountain Park OPEN FOR RECREATION!

TENNIS

L.O. Tennis Center re-opens for the first time since November! As staff was preparing to re-open earlier this month when Clackamas Co. moved to OHA’s COVID High Risk level, a winter storm created another delay.  Thanks to the City’s Parks crew for storm clean-up to make re-opening possible. There was no damage to the building, but here is a picture of the crew as they were in the ‘final stages’ of clean-up!

STEWARDSHIP

A joint Cooks Butte planting occurred on Sat., Feb. 6^th by the Parks Department and leaders of Friends of Trees. This crew of 11 planted 400 native species along the Cooks Butte Tributary. Many of the native species, such as Red Elder Berry, Indian Plum and Twinberry, will provide food, cover and nesting provisions for wildlife. Their flowers will offer nectar and pollen for butterflies, bees, hummingbirds and other pollinators. 

Friends of Luscher Farm and the Parks Department welcomed 26 volunteers from the Portland Garden Club on Mon., Feb. 7.  The eager volunteers planted 250 native species, such as Oregon Grape and Snowberry, up in the Brock Oaks area.  This was a great turnout and several adults brought their teens to join in this Stewardship habitat restoration!

ACC

The ACC staff worked hard to coordinate bags containing an emergency food box, a frozen meal  and special Valentines for the Meals on Wheels participates anticipating ice and snow.  A big thank you to our volunteers who delivered more than they expected.

NEW PARKS OPENING!

🌳🌳🌳 PARKS PROJECT UPDATE:

Renovation is complete, and Woodmont Natural Park is OPEN!  Woodmont is a 6.8 acres park located on Atwater Lane.  Renovation focused on the park’s existing natural elements and included trail additions, installation of a nest sculpture by local artist @HannesWingate, removal of invasive and non-native plants & trees, restoration, and added nature play elements.  For more info, visit Woodmont Natural Park | City of Lake Oswego.

#LOparks #LOtogether #LivingWellinLO #LakeOswego #Parks #LakeOswegoCityProjects

VIRTUAL YOUTH FORUM

Last Sunday (Jan 31) the Youth Action Council collaborated with the Youth Leadership Council to present a Virtual Youth Forum featuring several members of Lake Oswego’s leadership.  Panelists included Mayor Joe Buck, School Superintendent Dr. Lora De La Cruz, City Manager Martha Bennet, City Councilor Massene Mboup, and School Board Members Liz Hartman and Neelam Gupta.  The Youth Forum focused on youth-led questions related to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) as it relates to current policies within the city and schools, recent incidents of racism or discrimination, and plans for the future.  Panelists were led by youth moderators from both councils, who posed questions submitted by teen attendees.  Approximately 44 students registered as attendees, with a total of 36 attending the event. The forum was an opportunity for community leaders and Lake Oswego youth to have a collaborative dialog regarding DEI and the progress of the policies that support it.  A live recording can be viewed here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rSlJYcDx4c0&t=18s

ACC

The Adult Center has been participating in a program called “Clackamas County Writes”, we started in December and to date have sent 18 letters.  The letters we received are written by youth (high school age), are generic in their message and often include a picture.  The program is not a pen-pal situation, it is a one-way letter meant to brighten up a seniors day.

CULTURAL – FITNESS

The City of Lake Oswego Parks and Recreation Fitness Department is unrolling a new virtual program. The All Access Virtual Fitness Pass allows registered participants to drop-in to a variety of virtual classes, allowing for flexibility in schedule and the opportunity to try out new classes. The pass can be used the month of February with the possibility to extend the program an additional month. Access includes Zoom link to: 50+ Zumba, Aerobics to Exercise, Entry Level Strength and Gentle Yoga.

PARKS

Hallinan Woods Natural Area was hit hard during the storm Tuesday night which has closed the park until further notice.  Large Doug Firs and other trees came down blocking the pathway and with one falling on a neighbors house.  Parks staff are working on a clean up plan and will get the park open as soon as they can.

RECREATION & AQUATICS CENTER

Recreational Pool Survey

The design for the Lake Oswego Recreation and Aquatics Center is underway. Throughout the design process, there will be many ways to get involved and share your ideas. Opportunities will include: community meetings, an online open house, surveys, and more!

The recreation pool is only one part of the recreation and aquatics center. Please take a few minutes to take this survey. This survey is the first of a number of methods we will use to gather input on the design of the Lake Oswego Recreation and Aquatics Center. Click HERE to fill out the survey by January 31, 2021.

LUSCHER FARM

Community Gardeners at the top of the request list are now registering for the 2021 season.  This year, we put together an online orientation meeting for new gardeners to watch at their convenience. There are 26 open plots to offer. Next month, work parties will begin to complete the task of clearing open plots. We are all looking forward to another successful year in the gardens. So many of the gardeners expressed their gratitude for the refuge the farm provides.

ACC

Diversity & Inclusion Note: Nicolette Hume is the First Native American Show host on Tualatin Valley TV

Local Geriatrician, Dr. Alia Alhumaid, and Nicolette have conducted the first virtual NCOA’s Aging Mastery Program® (AMP).

Reviews:
“I have become so inspired hearing all of your stories how to live my life in a more meaningful way.” -Jana (Current Participant)

“I am finding your class even more enlightening than I thought it would be and very much appreciating the discussion with our very open group of women.” -Jane (Current Participant)