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PROJECT BACKGROUND
The South Waterfront Neighborhood Park and the Central District section of the South Waterfront Greenway are the first of several parks and open spaces to be designed and constructed in Portland’s new and burgeoning South Waterfront District. The City of Portland’s South Waterfront Plan (2002) envisions district parks working together to enliven the neighborhood and stimulate development activity in the area, and to provide for the needs of area residents. The South Waterfront Plan outlines the need for a neighborhood park in the District. Design and construction of the 2-block neighborhood park site, bounded by SW Curry, Moody, Gaines & Bond, will meet that planning goal.
The park is named for Elizabeth Caruthers, a pioneer woman who was one of the early settlers in the southern part of the young city. In 1847, Elizabeth Caruthers and her son, Finice, came to Oregon from the east, and through the Donation Land Claim Act of 1850, claimed the 640-acre section of land on which the park is located. SW and SE Caruthers Streets and Caruthers Creek in Marquam Gulch also reflect the family's prominence in the early history of Portland.
The park includes an Urban Gardens area, an Open Lawn area, and a Naturalized Landscape area.
Urban Gardens: A community gathering area with movable tables and chairs and a built-in bocce court, a garden retreat area with granite seat walls and a historic marker honoring the site of Portland's first cabin, and an environmental play area with a spray/play stepping stone feature and seating logs.
Naturalized Landscape: Boardwalks, naturalized plantings, undulating topography with stormwater detention, and Song Cycles public art created by Doug Hollis.
Open Lawn: Flexible space, including an 8' tall sloped landform for seating, sunning, and play.
Other Features: A variety of trees and plantings, pathways with benches, park lighting, a festival edge on Bond, electrical infrastructure for events, bicycle racks, a drinking fountain, dog waste bag dispensers, trash receptacles, and streetscape improvements.
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