Jamison Square facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Jamison Square |
|
|---|---|
The park's wading pool in 2008
|
|
| Type | Urban park |
| Location | Portland, Oregon |
| Area | 0.94 acres (0.38 ha) |
| Created | 2000 |
| Operated by | Portland Parks & Recreation |
| Status | Open 5 a.m. to midnight daily |
Jamison Square is a fun city park in Portland, Oregon. It's located in a lively area called the Pearl District. This park was actually the very first one built in this neighborhood, making it a special place for everyone to enjoy!
Contents
What Makes Jamison Square Special?
Jamison Square cost about $3.6 million to build. It was designed during the time Vera Katz was the Mayor of Portland. The park's design was created by a group called PWP Landscape Architecture.
How the Park Was Designed
The park was first planned to be an outdoor art gallery. It had square rocks and steps in the middle, but no water. Water was later added to flow over the rocks at different times. This was done to stop skateboarders from using the rocks.
However, the water feature turned the park into something amazing: an "urban beach"! Kids and families love to use it as a wading pool. Because the water comes and goes, people sometimes call it a "manmade tidal pool" or even "the community pond."
A wooden path, made from a strong wood called ipê, connects Jamison Square to Tanner Springs Park, which is two blocks away. This path is planned to eventually reach the Willamette River.
The Unique Water Feature
The park's design has three main parts: a fountain, a boardwalk, and an outdoor art area. The stone fountain is like an "aquifer," which is a natural underground water source. Water flows out of stone steps and fills a gently sloped area. The water gets about 12 inches deep. Then, it drains away, leaving the ground dry until the next flow.
Art and Function: The Totem Poles
The square also has four tall, modern totem poles. They are 30 feet high! These poles were created in 2001 by artists Kenny Scharf and Paige Powell. They are called Tikitotmoniki Totems.
These totem poles are not just art; they are also very useful! They hide the strong steel poles that support the overhead wires. These wires provide power to the Portland Streetcar, which started running in 2001. The Portland Streetcar passes by two sides of the park.
Other Art and Its Name
The park also features a bright orange steel sculpture. It's called Contact II and was made by Alexander Liberman.
Jamison Square opened in May 2002. It's considered a "pocket park," which means it's a small park in a city. It was part of a bigger plan for parks in the Pearl District, all connected by a water theme. The park was named after William Jamison (1945–1995). He was an art gallery owner who really supported the Pearl District.
Fun Things to Do at Jamison Square
Many exciting events happen at Jamison Square throughout the year. It's a great place for community gatherings and activities.
Events and Activities
Some of the fun events include the Kids Marching Band and the Kids in the Pearl Block Party. There are also "Movies in the Pearl," where you can watch films outdoors. Weekly "Splashdance" events offer "movement-based storytelling" by a group called BodyVox.
Other popular events are Pedalpalooza and the Portland Bastille Day festival. The Bastille Day festival celebrates French culture and even has a fun Portland Waiters Race! In 2007, about 5,500 people visited the Bastille Day festival.
Games and Performances
You can also play a game called Pétanque at the park. It's a bit like boules and has its own court.
The park has also hosted parts of the Portland Institute for Contemporary Art's Time-Based Art Festival. This festival brings unique performances to the park. For example, in 2003, there was a performance by Eiko & Koma. In 2008, Anna Halprin's "Blank Placard Happening" took place there.
