What a fun idea to get neighbors together during the summer! See outer East Portland families from the Parkrose and Argay Terrace neighborhoods enjoy an easy-going summer afternoon …
Learning about area organizations is part of what is included at the Parkrose/Argay ‘End of Summer Ice Cream Social’.
Story and photos by David F. Ashton
Organizers of the Parkrose/Argay ‘End of Summer Ice Cream Social’ picked an appropriate location for their ice cream party on Saturday, August 8 – Senn’s Dairy Park. Some walked to it, others drove from a distance.
Volunteer Nicole Boatwright distributes tickets to guests for free ice cream treats.
The Tosh family enjoys the day, coming from their home near Parkrose Middle School.
Event organizer PNA Chair Bradley Boatwright says he’s pleased at how this ice cream party is bringing families together.
“The Parkrose Neighborhood Association (PNA), along with the Parkrose Argay Opportunity Coalition, came together to put this on,” pointed out PNA Chair Bradley Boatwright.
“This is a way to activate our neighborhood; and, at the same time, enjoy the benefits that are ours for living here,” Boatwright told East Portland News.
As they looked around the park, some neighbors were renewing acquaintances, while others were meeting area residents for the first time.
Lily Burnett of Parkrose Coffee Shop provides cups of freshly-made lemonade to guests.
Enjoying a game of cornhole with his son, we found neighbor William Gardner.
“The best thing coming out of this is people meeting their neighbors,” observed Boatwright. “It’s about people ‘activating their neighborhood’ – which means, to me, being involved – getting out into the neighborhood and ‘occupying’ the space, not just driving through it on the way home.”
From the Rose City Park NET, Grant Tokiwa encourages visitors to join their own locality’s Neighborhood Emergency Team.
“Also, we’re encouraging people to get involved with their Neighborhood Association, and perhaps their Neighborhood NET organization,” Boatwright continued.
And so it went, as the hours passed – neighbors chatting, playing lawn games, cooling off with ice cream treats, and sipping coffee.
© 2025 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News™
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