Years later, neighbor who suggested ‘Movies in the Park’ still overjoyed by events

Discover who was behind the beloved “Movies in the Park” from PP&R that has thrilled outer East Portland families since 2007 …

Greeting families as they come to Portland Parks’ “Movie in the Park” are Brentwood-Darlington Neighborhood Association Board Members Kady Ferris, Kylie Hyde, Katie Boroska, Anna Cox, and Jake Patoski.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton

In the summer, many Portlanders have come expect Portland Parks & Recreation (PP&R) “Movies in the Park”. Surely they are a well-established summer service of the City of Portland.

But, if it hadn’t been for a tenacious Brentwood-Darlington Neighborhood Association (BDNA) Board Member – Gail Kiely – there might never have been any!

Here proudly showing off the lawn sign that heralds the “Movie in Brentwood Park” is the person who originally suggested the event, Gail Kiely.

At the BDNA’s “Movie in the Park” on Friday evening, July 18th, Kiely recalled for East Portland News how she pitched the idea to PF&R’s then-Southeast-Zone-Manager Jeff Milkes back in 2006.

“It was because I felt we needed something positive to do in our parks, during the summer months – something that kids would do with their families; an activity that would help keep them out of trouble.”

Enjoying the just-scooped ice cream as part of the evening are Nancy Mejia and Amoura Smith.

Milkes arranged to “try out” the idea – starting in Brentwood Park! And it was a success. So, in 2007, Movies in the Park became “official” across Portland, with a PP&R “events crew” bringing and setting up a giant, inflatable screen, and a powerful stereo sound system, all summer.

“Back then, when Portland City Commissioner Nick Fish was the Parks Commissioner, and he ‘came on board’, fully supporting the event, he really helped us expand the program to many neighborhoods,” recalled Kiely.

Entertaining the audience with a nearly hour-long pre-movie concert in Brentwood Park is Portland’s fantastic Power PEP Band.

Although many of the “Movie in the Parks” no longer feature live music these days, Kiely said, the BDNA still believes it is an important feature, so that evening they invited the Power PEP Band to play.

That evening, the giant, blow-up movie screen remained deflated until past sunset, due to gusty winds. But, after dark, when it had quieted to only a light breeze, PP&R the crew inflated the screen and showed the movie “Despicable Me 4” – to the delight of some 400 people who’d gathered on the lawn for it.

When the wind calmed down at sunset, the movie screen was set up, and the movie began.

Continuing through August are PP&R “Summer Free for All” events, composed of live music concerts and movies. Visit their webpage for complete listings: CLICK HERE.

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