CONSERVANCY

In the l960s, Lawrence Halprin & Associates – one of the most visionary landscape architecture firms of the 20th century – was commissioned to transform several city blocks into a series of parks and garden-lined pedestrian walks. From 1962 to 1970, the Portland Open Space Sequence brought recreation and natural beauty to an emerging part of the city and elevated public spaces as an intrinsic part of modern Portland’s urban fabric. Before it was even complete, the Sequence inspired public support for similar meaningful civic places including what would eventually become Pioneer Courthouse Square and Tom McCall Waterfront Park. Portland continued to expand on Halprin’s legacy of fountain plazas for decades with the addition of Jamison Square, Tanner Springs Park and Director Park. Today, these mid-century parks stand as the most internationally celebrated and influential works of landscape architecture Portland has ever produced – so much so that in 2013, the Sequence joined the National Register of Historic Places.

In the beginning, it was a collection of urban planners, developers, architects, engineers, and community members with deep care for parks in Portland who founded the Halprin Landscape Conservancy.

The archives share illuminate a draft of a mission statement toward creating the Halprin Landscape Conservancy:

 “ . . . to maintain the historically significant Halprin Parks to the
level of a resident Garden –make needed changes acting as
the primary resource of the original vision of Lawrence Halprin;
and to increase awareness of the parks”

The Halprin Landscape Conservancy, a 501 (c) 3 organization, is comprised of a volunteer board of directors with a mission to preserve, maintain, and activate the Portland Open Space Sequence.

Its first public undertaking was the 2014 campaign to raise awareness of 50 years of aging and to bring attention to the lack of city funding. With a privately funded condition assessment study shared with a growing number of business and neighborhood supporters, a business plan outlined a $4 million budget.

This accomplishment grew into an innovative funding model, engaging property owners and the City of Portland. After years of planning with Portland’s Bureau of Parks & Recreation, the two-year restoration period began and in July of 2019, the Grand Opening invited Portland to re-engage with one of city’s most treasured landscapes.

As stewards of the Sequence, board members work closely with neighbors, businesses, residents, and civic organizations to give a new voice to this unique urban community. The Conservancy continues to participate in opportunities where our support can make a difference toward goals of a clean, safe, and inviting Fountain District neighborhood.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Officers
Bob Naito, Co-Chair and Treasurer
Scott Andrews, Co-Chair
Zeljka Carol Kekez, President
Tom Kilbane, Vice President
Dan Eller, Secretary

Members
Chris Finks
Robert Hastings
Tom Keeler
Kristine Pizzuti
Michele Schiffer
Don Stastny
Freddy Vilches
Stephanie Whitlock
George Zelznak
David Zier

Directors Emeritus
Nancy Fishman
Randy Gragg
Grant Higginson
Jeff Joslin
Steven Koch
Julie Leuvrey
Marcy McInelly
Eric Shoemaker Jay Waldron

Executive Director Karen Whitman

CONSERVANCY IMPACT PARTNERS IN MEMORIAM FOUNTAIN DISTRICT