City hosts ‘Party On!’ event in Hazelwood

It wasn’t a ‘National Night Out’ or neighborhood association event. See why the Hazelwood TriMet MAX Light Rail Park-and-Ride lot was turned into a party area for residents …

-1 The City of Portland Office of Violence Prevention Safe Blocks program is all set for a “Party On Portland!” celebration here, in the Hazelwood TriMet MAX Light Rail Park-and-Ride lot.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton

The TriMet MAX Light Rail Park-and-Ride lot at East Burnside Street and 122nd Avenue had been scrubbed clean in the days leading up to a party to be held there on August 10.

Vendor tables were set up around the perimeter; tables and chairs were set out in the parking spaces.

Event organizer, and City of Portland Office of Violence Prevention Safe Blocks Coordinator, Sarah Berkemeier says the goal of this party is to help reduce violence in this area.

“We are having a “Party On Portland!” event here,” announced City of Portland Office of Violence Prevention Safe Blocks Coordinator Sarah Berkemeier at the festivity.

When asked if it was being co-hosted by the Hazelwood Neighborhood Association, Berkemeier explained, “No, it isn’t; the City of Portland has a federal grant for a program that helps support ‘place making’, which is what this is – in certain parts of the city, including here in Hazelwood.”

Entertaining the kids with games, stories, and squeaking together balloon figures it’s Nikki Brown Clown – ‘Portland’s Favorite Brown Clown’.

Perhaps because our visit occurred in the heat of mid-afternoon, or because the free food wasn’t scheduled to arrive until hours later, at the time we were there ,the celebration appeared lightly attended.

“This is part of a greater effort to do things in spaces that often feel unsafe for folks; and transform them into spaces that do feel safe, and are ‘activated’ with community members,” Berkemeier explained.

Ann Naughton, of Central East Portland Rotary, says she’s there because her club’s focus is on providing reading and educational support programs to David Douglas and Parkrose schools.

“In other words, these events are engaging with community members, who are engaging with one another, and just having a good time in an area they usually don’t get to have a good time in,” continued Berkemeier.

Ready to spin their ‘Wheel of Fortune’ for attendees, here are the Multnomah County Health Department’s Roberto Astoriga and Jasmin Haro.

“Specifically, we’re looking at spaces that have been affected pretty severely by gun violence, and violence in general, around the city. This is part of the effort to reduce the gun violence is happening here; it’s just ‘one piece of the puzzle’ – starting with place-making and community-building.”

Comments are closed.