Dawson Park
Signage for the park in 2013
Map
LocationPortland, Oregon, U.S.
Coordinates45°32′39″N 122°40′03″W / 45.54416667°N 122.66750000°W / 45.54416667; -122.66750000

Dawson Park is a park in north Portland, Oregon, in the United States.[1] The 2.05-acre park, located at Stanton Street and North Williams Avenue, was acquired by Portland Parks & Recreation in 1921.[2]

History

Gazebo in 2013

In November 2013, a $2.6 million renovation began, resulting in the park's closure for nearly a year. City officials, aware of gentrification of the surrounding neighborhood, used community input to avoid ruining the park's role as a gathering place favored by African Americans.[3] The upgraded park now includes a new playground and interactive water feature, enhanced accessibility and lighting, and new barbecue and picnic areas. Dawson Park also features double-sided medallions designed by Isaka Shamsud-Din, with traditional African patterns on one side and depictions of the neighborhood on the opposite side.[4]

See also

References

  1. ^ "Dawson Park Is Precious. That's Why Its Dilemma Is So Painful". Willamette Week. Archived from the original on 2022-09-19. Retrieved 2022-09-23.
  2. ^ "Dawson Park". Portland Parks & Recreation. Archived from the original on December 14, 2014. Retrieved November 21, 2013.
  3. ^ Parks, Casey (September 10, 2016). "North Williams gentrified. Its park didn't. How Dawson Park survived as a black hub". The Oregonian. Archived from the original on September 14, 2016. Retrieved September 10, 2016.
  4. ^ Parks, Casey (November 18, 2013). "Dawson Park construction begins; park will close until June". The Oregonian. Archived from the original on December 13, 2013. Retrieved November 21, 2013.

External links

Eliot, Portland, Oregon
Parks in Portland, Oregon
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