North Portland's New White Oak Commons

Yesterday, my neighborhood SHOWED UP. The sun was shining, the energy was high and together we built the new neighborhood White Oak Commons!

Two years ago, a magnificent white oak that stood across from my house split in half after a particularly heavy ice storm. It was a wonderful tree and loved by all in its’ proximity. When the city came to cut it down, the neighborhood decided that we had to do something to honor it and make use of the space left behind. Thus began a year or more of scheming and planning that resulted in the neighborhood’s new pride and joy. Native plants line bark chip drawn pathways all encircled in the remaining trunk of the historic white oak we all loved.

Thank you so much to our outreach coordinator from the City of Portland, Michelle, and to my fellow organizers Josh and Laurie for all of your commitment and drive. It’s so important to me to show up for my community, and it was an exceptional experience to see that sentiment returned. If you’re in North Portland, make sure to stop by and see our new park a the corner of Hunt and Newman!