In 2007, in north and northeast Portland, the name of Portland Boulevard was changed Rosa Parks Way to commemorate her historic activism in the civil rights struggles within the US. The Piedmont Neighborhood requested city council allocate money to allow for a neighborhood public art or memorializing placemaking project in honor of Rosa Parks. The request was approved, and through a lengthy iterative process with neighbors, local artists, Regional Arts and Culture Council, and Portland Parks and Recreation, we are developing a community design that will ultimately feature a memorializing sculpture and contemplative landscaped seating place. The construction will offer a counterpoint to an existing high-visibility, and much used elliptical masonry seating structure that encloses 2 large Douglas Fir trees, and that exists at the northwest end of the park at the busy intersection of N Albina and Rosa Parks. The commemorative work will feature a lighter “inward” facing elliptical seating structure at the more quiet, northeast end, with an array of tall, thin trees surrounding the seats. There will be an emphasis on creating a space for conversation or contemplation, and a central sculptural centerpiece will act as a focal point. In this phase, we are currently working toward finalizing a design for the landscape features of this Rosa Parks “place,” negotiating a proper site with Portland Parks and Recreation; and in the next phase, making a careful inclusive and consensual process toward a community design and implementation of the memorial centerpiece.

Design workshops and potluck on site during VBC. Contact site coordinator for detail.