Arbor Day celebration returns to Mt. Scott Park

Take a look, and see why people from all over outer East Portland came to this unique celebration of trees …

A delightfully sunny spring day brings Portlanders to Mt. Scott Park to enjoy “Arbor Day 2018”.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton

Finding the site desirable after holding the event for the first time at Mt. Scott Park last year, Portland Parks & Recreation (PP&R) again hosted “Arbor Day 2018” at this wooded park in the Mt. Scott-Arleta neighborhood on April 21.

“At PP&R, we want our programs to be accessible to all Portlanders, and this amazing park is located close to the actual center of the city’s boundaries,” said its organizer, PP&R Urban Forestry Education Stewardship Coordinator Dan Gleason.

Watching people having fun at the festival makes PP&R Urban Forestry Education Stewardship Coordinator Dan Gleason smile, he says.

Musically entertaining at the tree fest is Trio Matices.

With a little help of Expedition Old Growth helpers, Lily Lockard “climbs” a tree in the park.

“Having the festival in this location allows us to bring people from all over the greater Portland area; and, when they arrive, visitors are finding many multicultural events and services,” Gleason told East Portland News.

Another reason for hosting the city’s Arbor Day celebration at Mt. Scott Park is, “there a lot of nice trees here, making this an ideal spot for a festival – set underneath the towering Douglas firs, where people have an ‘up close and personal connection’ to trees growing in Portland parks,” Gleason pointed out.

PP&R Outreach & Science Supervisor Angie DiSalvo helps Mt. Scott-Arleta neighbor Alex Jensen select one of 110 free yard trees giving out at the event.

Cooking fresh, hot, traditional cuisine from Oaxaca, Mexico, is Amalia Sierra with Tierra del Sol, sited at the nearby Portland Mercado, just up the street.

“And, in addition to having our arborists here answering questions for guests, nonprofit organizations are providing visitors a wide range of environmental information, including how to protect salmon, recycling, and be sustainable in everyday life,” Gleason remarked.

Instead of amusement rides, visitors were given the opportunity to go high into some of the park’s trees – with the help of an organization called Expedition Old Growth, whose staff helped both kids and adults ascend as high as 80 feet, into some of the park’s trees, without damaging either the trees or the people.

Families have fun with “nature crafts” at this celebration of trees.

“The best part? Seeing all the people come out and have questions answered – and watching kids discover and explore, as they learn a lot about trees,” Gleason smiled.

Comments are closed.