From alpacas and face painting, to visits with local first responders, see how families gathered at Ed Benedict Park to enjoy early fall weather – and build lasting neighborhood ties …
At the Community Safety Picnic & Fair in Ed Benedict Park, families enjoy playing games, visiting informational canopy booths, and learning about local public safety resources.
Story and photos by David F. Ashton
On a pleasant early fall afternoon on Monday, September 28, neighbors and families gathered at Ed Benedict Park for the free Community Safety Picnic & Fair, held from 4 until 7 p.m.
Located at S.E. 105th Avenue and Powell Boulevard – in the region of outer East Portland claimed by both the Lents and Powellhurst-Gilbert neighborhoods – the park served as the setting for an informal and welcoming community gathering.
Attendees strolled among informational booths set up by participating agencies while enjoying tunes spun by DJ Gio, face painting, yard games, and a visit with friendly animals from Alpacas of Oregon.
Celese Williams of Mystique’s Fancy Faces smiles as she decorates a young attendee’s face with colorful designs during the early fall event.
Mary Goodson from the Portland Solutions outreach team grills fresh burgers to provide free meals for families gathering at Ed Benedict Park.
Adding to the festive atmosphere, the appetizing scent of complimentary hot dogs and hamburgers sizzling on the grill – courtesy of the Portland Solutions outreach team – whetted the appetite and satiated the hunger of the crowd.
Overcoming summer smoke to bring neighbors together
The late September picnic served as a rescheduled celebration for an earlier planned community gathering. “Actually, this is a redo of our community ‘National Night Out’, which was originally planned for August 4th,” explained Sarah M. Berkemeier, Safe Blocks Program Coordinator from the City of Portland Office of Violence Prevention.
Event co-organizers Sarah Berkemeier, Safe Blocks Program Coordinator, and Toni Fujiwara, Curriculum Coordinator at Rose City Self Defense, pause for a photo during the afternoon festivities.
“We got smoked out of that earlier date by heavy smoke and heat, making it unsafe to hold a public event. So, we decided to host our Community Safety Picnic & Fair tonight – while we still have great weather in the early fall.”
Reflecting on the deeper purpose of the gathering, Berkemeier emphasized the vital link between neighborhood unity and public safety. “Bringing the community together is one way to prevent violence and support people to feel safe in their communities,” Berkemeier told East Portland News.
“A lot of people don’t always feel safe walking around in their neighborhoods. If we can have big public events showing that people can get together, have fun, and be safe together, it helps people get out of their homes,and know their neighbors.”
Representing the Powellhurst-Gilbert Neighborhood Association, Richard Dickinson is on hand to greet neighbors at their canopy – and to share ways to get involved locally.
These young visitors make a new friend while feeding a furry alpaca brought to Ed Benedict Park by Alpacas of Oregon.
A Portland Police Bureau officer explains drone operations, while giving interested visitors an up-close look at his unmanned aircraft during the safety fair in the park.
Connecting with public safety partners and resources
Throughout the evening, representatives from several key City of Portland and Multnomah County agencies were on hand to answer questions, share information, and connect directly with residents.
Participating organizations included the Portland Police Bureau, Portland Bureau of Emergency Communications (Multnomah County 911), Portland Office of Violence Prevention, Portland Street Response, and the Focused Intervention Team Community Oversight Group, alongside local firefighters and first responders.
Giving attendees a closer look at emergency equipment, Portland Fire & Rescue Division Chief Mark Tilden shows off Lents Station 11’s fire engine during the afternoon gathering.
By creating an approachable setting for dialogue, the picnic helped strengthen ties between outer East Portland community members and the agencies dedicated to their safety.
© 2026 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News™
