Photographer Elliott Schofield offers us a new perspective on our Fields Park….

Photo: Elliott Schofield

…and what a fabulous shot of the awesome dog play areas! Thanks, Elliott!!

Photo: Elliott Schofield

Remember….opening celebration is this Friday May 17th at noon. Don’t miss it!

We’ll see you there!!

Caution – Children at Play!

Children’s Play Area getting some serious use!

Fun on the slide with Superman and Supergirl!

Love this sandbox!

Brilliant!

]]> http://hoytliving.wordpress.com/2013/05/07/fields-park-is-open/feed/ 4 hoytliving http://hoytliving.wordpress.com/2013/05/07/great-blue-heron/ http://hoytliving.wordpress.com/2013/05/07/great-blue-heron/#comments Tue, 07 May 2013 20:22:33 +0000 hoytliving http://hoytliving.wordpress.com/?p=3667 Continue reading →]]> by Bettie De Witt

Photo: Shaun Sjostrom

Returning for the second year, our occasional visitor to Tanner Springs Park is back. This magnificent creature, a Great Blue Heron, was captured in these two photos by a resident of Streetcar Lofts, Shaun Sjostrom. Like many of us, he clearly has chosen the NW corner of Portland because of the neighborhood, spring weather and the occasional tasty fish.  

Photo: Shaun Sjostrom

These photos of Shaun’s were sent via Kathy Hansen who thought he was so calm and easy going that she called the Audubon Society in case he might be sick. I guess he’s not, just happy standing in the water, remaining virtually motionless until a fish meanders by. Then….strike! 

He is a WOW, that’s for sure. Thanks to our neighbor with a keen eye (and a great talent for photography) for capturing him in all his glory! 

by Elliott Schofield

Although this is no surprise to you regulars and Pearl residents, the Fields Park is still slated to open to the public on May 6th, with the grand opening ceremony to be held on Friday, May 17th at noon. We all have been frustrated with the delays but look forward to enjoying the park in all its splendor!

The news from Portland Parks & Recreation is that the date for the Grand Opening of the Fields Park has been pushed to May 6. And, as disappointing as that is for us, by that time Spring will have sprung and the new plants and trees should be more established and even flowering! And the geese will have flown over to Waterfront Park to play with their friends at the Cinco de Mayo festival!

There is lots of work still to be done – the dog park needs to be finished and the childrens’ play area needs to be fenced in. Some of the paths still need to be laid but the loo and most of the benches and tables have been installed. Fencing will also be put up on the eastern border of the park, between us and the rails, to give some protection and security. Although much of the planting has been done, there still are trees and plants that need to be put in the ground.

It’s not like they haven’t been working out there – it seems like they’ve been working night and day to get it finished! More work than they ever imagined, I guess. The lights are up and beautiful. But the streets need to be cleaned and the construction trucks need to go and all the guys with the hardhats have to move on.

And they’re installing art. Won’t that be fun! The snail sculptures will provoke many a comment, I’m sure!

OK we are a little obsessed with the Fields Park transformation. Each day it’s a little more finished, a little more polished, a little more planted. Soon spring will be bustin’ out all over – new leaves on the trees, flowers in bloom, short sleeves. Until then, there are rocky paths, shiny slides, ropy bridges. And geese.

Photo: Elliott Schofield

Photo: Elliott Schofield

Opening is still slated for March 15th. We’ll notify you in advance as to the timing of the ceremony! You lucky residents of the Encore, Pinnacle, Bridgeport and the Metropolitan, of course, will have front row seats!!

We are all very excited to watch the continuing growth of our little magical corner of the Pearl!!

Photo: Elliott Schofield

A beautiful sight, yes? The scheduled opening for The Fields Park is now March 15th when the folks at Portland Parks & Recreation feel everything will be finished. They were going to have a partial opening in January but decided to wait. Sound idea, we think. After all, who would want to enjoy the new space and NOT be able to use the dog park at the north end? Nobody, that’s who!

Those of you with kids – I bet they can’t wait to get to enjoy that fantastic children’s area! The rope bridge, the climbing structure, all those soft spongy tiles used for the base.

And the boardwalk! What a great design decision. Maybe it will inspire the city to put a crosswalk across NW Overton where it will join the continuation of the boardwalk along 10th between NW Northrup and Overton.

But who’s mentioning building on Block 15?

Nofziger’s Tree Lot

You know that Santa’s almost here when Lee Nofziger puts up his Christmas Tree Lot on Hoyt’s Block 15 at the corner of NW Overton and 11th. The lot is open daily at 10 and will be on site through December 22nd.

All the trees are grower (that would be Lee) direct and very fresh and aromatic. He’s a very nice guy and would appreciate it if you checked in with him first before you buy your tree anywhere else. Just think, you can carry it home! Ah, the joys of living in the Pearl!!

Lee Nofziger and nephew Matt

He has a big family that always comes up from Canby to help. Keep them in mind when you have an abundance of freshly baked cookies or brewing up a pot of Starbucks Christmas Roast. It gets cold out there!!

Happy Holidays to you and yours, and if you’re travelling, stay safe. May 2013 be healthy and happy for us all!!

See how one seems to flow into the other? The green, grassy bits?

All this and the Portland Streetcar expansion, too! Don’t forget….on Saturday and Sunday the rides are free!

Back in School

Kids may be back in school but they are still playing in the Pearl District in Tanner Springs Park!

The Fields Neighborhood Park

The center oval of the Fields Park has been seeded and the irrigation works!

FLOR (718 NW 11th at Irving in Tanner Place Condominiums) is now open. FLOR takes the idea long-used in (often boring) commercial applications and modernizes the system of designing wall-to-wall designs, area rugs or runners using colorful, textural carpet squares. Create a perfect, one-of-a-kind design for your Pearl home.

Traditional or wild, FLOR’s designers and design tools can help you create your FLOR’s desire!

Have you seen a new retail establishment in the Pearl that you want to know more about? Just let us know and we will delve into the little known!