David and I have lived on Culpepper Terrace since 1976. That's a long time! Our kids and now grandkids used the community center for camps, preschool and sports activities. I agree with all the comments here about needing a thriving community center and hope that the city will do due diligence to save this building as a community resource.
S
Scott Sorensen-Jolink
6 years ago
We need Hillside for all of us it serves.
L
Lockett Taylor
6 years ago
I think I can respectfully speak for the neighborhood to say that the overwhelming majority really just want Hillside to remain a community center. Perhaps a better funded center with expanded offerings based on neighborhood input could actually be profitable. SW Community Center is thriving (based on community participation anyway) and there’s no reason Hillside shouldn’t as well. If PPR can’t do it, then I believe it’s crucial to find an operator that can fulfill the intended mission of the the “Trembling 12.” And I don’t feel confident that the 3 proposals on the table would do that. Perhaps an institution like Friendly House, with a solid track record for basically being a privately funded community center could work. I don’t think “pickle ball” or “death and dying” workshops or soccer provide a great enough scope to fulfill the needs of the community and they certainly don’t have a track record for doing so. My husband and I have lived walking distance to Hillside since 2004. We literally would not have bought our home had the community center not existed. Our 9 year old has grown up going to Hillside almost daily. The first swing he ever played on was there, summer camps with Mr Seth were a highlight of his summer, we have hosted birthdays there, done messy art, 4th of July picnics, Halloween carnivals ...it goes on and on. We need our community center and our community (beyond others) have made a serious effort to insure that we have a community center that serves all.
B
Barbara Wegner
6 years ago
Disappointed in the City. This disruption for $75,000 in my view is not using good judgment.
C
Carol Mitchell
6 years ago
This has been such a successful resource to the community. Unbelievable what is being pushed.
M
Martin Samuelson
6 years ago
We hope the city of Portland lives up to the commitment it made to the residents of our Hillside neighborhood.
M
Marianne Ritter
6 years ago
The community center would be sorely missed by me and my family.
L
Lena Lencek
6 years ago
I have lived on the "Hill" since 1983 and have been a consistent and enthusiastic patron of Hillside CC. Eliminating this hub of community life will destroy the fragile fabric of our human interactions, of our mutuality, and the stage of so many collective experiences that are at the basis of what we consider the precious value of being a member of a community. No financial considerations are grave enough to warrant dealing a death blow to the HCC: the heart of our community.
S
Standish McCleary
6 years ago
I have had many opportunities to observe the multiple benefits of a thriving community center, for my immediate family, for neighbors, and the extended community who come to the center. Musical events, lectures, dances, sports, seeing neighbors we know, meeting new ones, wellness and exercise classes, crafts, developing a community identity…. the benefits are observable and plain. Giving children particularly the opportunity for recreation and activities, community engagement across generations, and a break from the endless obsession with assorted electronic screens, has obvious value. These are places to gather, to cultivate whatever the community might be interested in, and should not to be undervalued. We are increasingly at risk as a culture to divisive, isolating influences, though we thrive, and even live substantially longer, with a strong sense of community. It increases the quality of our lives. It should be a funding priority to encourage such quality.
P
Patrick O'Neill
6 years ago
Consider feeding it back to the neighborhood for community management and funding.
P
Patricia Landye
6 years ago
This is a very important asset to NW Portland residents and others.
A
Andrew Kaplan
6 years ago
Maintaining neighborhood community centers & parks is central to a high quality of life & sense of community. Such forward thinking leadership is also what has made our communities cohesive, safe & healthy. We are counting on you to continue to support this valuable legacy.
A
Anonymous
6 years ago
It's OURS... let us have it.
S
Sharley Bryce
6 years ago
Important to preserve and protect the original purpose for the community.
T
TRUDI MORRISON
6 years ago
Full support
D
David Gissen
6 years ago
Community is what a community center is all about.
J
Jim Hisatomi
6 years ago
Hillside Community Center is exactly what embodies the Spirit of Portland. A city supporting it's residents to come together to live, learn, and play as a community. It's why we love Portland and why people want to move here. It's why people raise their kids here and never leave as they grow old.
I urge PPR and Portland leadership to step up and invest in our future. It's exactly what your charter says to do and it's a commitment you've already promised to the city and to Hillside. Please do what you said you were going to do. Keep your promise.
P
Peter Stark
6 years ago
Why is the Hillside Community Center important? To begin with Hillside is the only community center in NW Portland; the loss of the center has had significant impact on NW residents by eliminating many community preschool slots, after-school program for Chapman Elementary, enrichment classes, youth and adults sports, community programs, and a community gathering space. Historically 18% of Hillside preschoolers received county services for developmental disabilities and delay; these children will have especially hard time finding a different preschool. Hillside provides after-school program for many students from Chapman Elementary; Chapman school bus drives the students directly to Hillside where they are met by the Center’s staff. Many NW and SW families use Hillside playground and Hillside gym throughout the year for exercise and enrichment classes. Hillside hosts the annual July 4th children’s parade and neighborhood barbecue, neighborhood ice cream social, Halloween carnival—activities that attract many NW residents and help build a sense of community. Hillside Community Center is an integral and thriving part of NW Portland’s community. We urge PPR to consider our petition. Thank you.
L
Louisa McCleary
6 years ago
Hillside Center, gifted to the City by public-spirited citizens, has for decades been a thriving center for the community, serving not only Hillside but surrounding areas. It is exactly the kind of place the City and Parks Department should support. Please adopt these guidelines for Hillside Community Center, which is cherished by many.
B
Barbara S Wilson
6 years ago
Hillside has played a vital role in the lives of our children and our community. It would be a devastating loss for all who it has served and will serve in the future.
David and I have lived on Culpepper Terrace since 1976. That's a long time! Our kids and now grandkids used the community center for camps, preschool and sports activities. I agree with all the comments here about needing a thriving community center and hope that the city will do due diligence to save this building as a community resource.
We need Hillside for all of us it serves.
I think I can respectfully speak for the neighborhood to say that the overwhelming majority really just want Hillside to remain a community center. Perhaps a better funded center with expanded offerings based on neighborhood input could actually be profitable. SW Community Center is thriving (based on community participation anyway) and there’s no reason Hillside shouldn’t as well. If PPR can’t do it, then I believe it’s crucial to find an operator that can fulfill the intended mission of the the “Trembling 12.” And I don’t feel confident that the 3 proposals on the table would do that. Perhaps an institution like Friendly House, with a solid track record for basically being a privately funded community center could work. I don’t think “pickle ball” or “death and dying” workshops or soccer provide a great enough scope to fulfill the needs of the community and they certainly don’t have a track record for doing so. My husband and I have lived walking distance to Hillside since 2004. We literally would not have bought our home had the community center not existed. Our 9 year old has grown up going to Hillside almost daily. The first swing he ever played on was there, summer camps with Mr Seth were a highlight of his summer, we have hosted birthdays there, done messy art, 4th of July picnics, Halloween carnivals ...it goes on and on. We need our community center and our community (beyond others) have made a serious effort to insure that we have a community center that serves all.
Disappointed in the City. This disruption for $75,000 in my view is not using good judgment.
This has been such a successful resource to the community. Unbelievable what is being pushed.
We hope the city of Portland lives up to the commitment it made to the residents of our Hillside neighborhood.
The community center would be sorely missed by me and my family.
I have lived on the "Hill" since 1983 and have been a consistent and enthusiastic patron of Hillside CC. Eliminating this hub of community life will destroy the fragile fabric of our human interactions, of our mutuality, and the stage of so many collective experiences that are at the basis of what we consider the precious value of being a member of a community. No financial considerations are grave enough to warrant dealing a death blow to the HCC: the heart of our community.
I have had many opportunities to observe the multiple benefits of a thriving community center, for my immediate family, for neighbors, and the extended community who come to the center. Musical events, lectures, dances, sports, seeing neighbors we know, meeting new ones, wellness and exercise classes, crafts, developing a community identity…. the benefits are observable and plain. Giving children particularly the opportunity for recreation and activities, community engagement across generations, and a break from the endless obsession with assorted electronic screens, has obvious value. These are places to gather, to cultivate whatever the community might be interested in, and should not to be undervalued. We are increasingly at risk as a culture to divisive, isolating influences, though we thrive, and even live substantially longer, with a strong sense of community. It increases the quality of our lives. It should be a funding priority to encourage such quality.
Consider feeding it back to the neighborhood for community management and funding.
This is a very important asset to NW Portland residents and others.
Maintaining neighborhood community centers & parks is central to a high quality of life & sense of community. Such forward thinking leadership is also what has made our communities cohesive, safe & healthy. We are counting on you to continue to support this valuable legacy.
It's OURS... let us have it.
Important to preserve and protect the original purpose for the community.
Full support
Community is what a community center is all about.
Hillside Community Center is exactly what embodies the Spirit of Portland. A city supporting it's residents to come together to live, learn, and play as a community. It's why we love Portland and why people want to move here. It's why people raise their kids here and never leave as they grow old. I urge PPR and Portland leadership to step up and invest in our future. It's exactly what your charter says to do and it's a commitment you've already promised to the city and to Hillside. Please do what you said you were going to do. Keep your promise.
Why is the Hillside Community Center important? To begin with Hillside is the only community center in NW Portland; the loss of the center has had significant impact on NW residents by eliminating many community preschool slots, after-school program for Chapman Elementary, enrichment classes, youth and adults sports, community programs, and a community gathering space. Historically 18% of Hillside preschoolers received county services for developmental disabilities and delay; these children will have especially hard time finding a different preschool. Hillside provides after-school program for many students from Chapman Elementary; Chapman school bus drives the students directly to Hillside where they are met by the Center’s staff. Many NW and SW families use Hillside playground and Hillside gym throughout the year for exercise and enrichment classes. Hillside hosts the annual July 4th children’s parade and neighborhood barbecue, neighborhood ice cream social, Halloween carnival—activities that attract many NW residents and help build a sense of community. Hillside Community Center is an integral and thriving part of NW Portland’s community. We urge PPR to consider our petition. Thank you.
Hillside Center, gifted to the City by public-spirited citizens, has for decades been a thriving center for the community, serving not only Hillside but surrounding areas. It is exactly the kind of place the City and Parks Department should support. Please adopt these guidelines for Hillside Community Center, which is cherished by many.
Hillside has played a vital role in the lives of our children and our community. It would be a devastating loss for all who it has served and will serve in the future.