Powellhurst-Gilbert Gets Wild

On a cool and drizzly morning, nearly 40 people showed up at SE 128th and the Springwater Corridor to plant approximately 1,700 wildflower starts on the last day of January.  Despite the weather, it was great fun, and because of the incredible turn out, the work went very fast.  The Neighborhood Association was joined by the Girl Scouts as well as students from David Douglas High School.  And, of course, a very special thank you to Portland Parks and Recreation whose herculean effort and support makes the restoration project possible.  The planting is part of a major restoration project of the Powellhurst-Gilbert Neighborhood Association to restore the areas adjacent to the Springwater Corridor between SE 128th and SE 136th.  Prior to the wildflower planting, the area was cleared of the invasive species by Portland Parks and Recreation.  The first work party by the Neighborhood Association included spreading mulch, followed later by the trees and shrubs in the back of the planting area, then finished off with the wildflowers close to the Corridor pathway.  This process will be repeated over the next several years until the entire area has been restored.  Some of the plants for the restoration project include:  Yarrow, Oregon Iris, Goldenrod, Douglas Hawthorn, Oceanspray, Tall Oregon Grape, Mock Orange, and Snowberry.  The next step in the process will be an ivy pull in the same general area done in conjunction with the Watershed Wide Event facilitated by the Johnson Creek Watershed Council on Saturday, March 6.  The Springwater Corridor site will be one of 12 sites to celebrate the 12 year anniversary of the Watershed Wide Event.  For more information on restoration efforts on the Springwater Corridor between SE 128th and SE 136th, please contact Mark White at markpdx [at] spiritone [dot] com or via telephone at 503-761-0222.

By Mark White, Powellhurst-Gilbert Neighborhood Association