Impact of the Economy on Parks - Citywide Parks Team, 10/16/ 08

Portland Citywide Parks Team Meeting

Thursday, October 16, 2008 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm

Portland Building, Forest Park Room, 13th Floor 1120 SW 5th Ave, Portland

Topic:   Impact of the Economy on PP&R's 2009-10 Budget Guest:  Fred Kowell, Finance Manager               Portland Parks & Recreation

Oh, the times they are a changing....  Does the national financial picture influence the economic picture here on the local level?  If the recessions of the 1980's and post 9-11 show us anything, we think today's market activity will trickle down to the City of Portland.  PP&R's Finance Manager, Fred Kowell, will talk about early financial forecasts for the City and PP&R.  Fred will also explain what we know about the 2009-10 budget process at the City and how citizens can shape and shepherd the bureau's budget proposal for next year.

Public involvement Coordinator, Elizabeth Kennedy-Wong, will also be here to update everyone on the upcoming ParkFest ("Come Play and Have Your Say") event, planned for October 25th at the University Park Community Center from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm.  Come hear about his exciting family event, aimed at hearing from YOU.

The Portland Citywide Parks Team is an ad hoc citizens group, formed in February 2005.  Monthly meetings provide a forum for information-sharing and an exchange of ideas -- and for respectful discourse on park issues and policies.  There are also opportunities to network with others who are working and volunteering to make Portland's parks even better than they are today.  It's citizen-initiated, citizen-led, and intended for all Portlanders who care about getting things done in and for parks in Portland.

The Citywide Parks Team meetings are open to anyone.  The group doesn't have designated members or a formal committee structure. Interested individuals are encouraged to drop in whenever they can. It's a self-selected, ever-changing group that meets monthly, from 7:00 to 8:30 pm on the third Thursday, in the Forest Park Conference Room at the Portland Building.  Attendance has ranged from 5 to 40+ people, depending on the topic.

NOTE: It is important that you arrive between 6:45 and 7:10 pm. Because the doors automatically lock at 6 pm, a Park employee must be at the 5th Ave entrance to let participants in. Once that individual leaves to join the meeting (at 7:10 pm), you may not be able to enter the building.

Sign up for the group's e-mail listserv by sending a blank email message to: [email protected].

-- Linda

Linda Robinson, Chair Citywide Parks Team 503-261-9566 [email protected]