Arnold Creek Neighborhood Association
Next Meeting
Tuesday, October 13th
6:30 – 7:30 pm
Link to join this virtual meeting on Zoom can be found in the Agenda.
Meetings are open to the public. Everyone is welcome.
A Note from the ACNA President
Fall Greetings-
I want to let you know that the Arnold Creek Neighborhood Association has had a great year so far. A high point this spring was creation of a new Transportation Committee to advocate for our neighborhood, push the city on the transportation initiatives that we prioritized in our 2025 Transportation Survey and work to identify additional initiatives of importance. If you are interested in working for pedestrian, bike and general traffic safety improvements, please consider joining our committee. Contact the chair, Andy Robbins at transportation@arnoldcreek.org for a warm welcome.
Progress was also made on our proposed neighborhood Community Garden. It has moved forward with a transfer of the empty lot, on the corner of SW 35th and SW Stephenson, from PBOT to Portland Parks. The smaller “sister” garden at Holly Farm Park will be the first to be developed, followed by the garden in our neighborhood. While the design plans aren’t yet finalized, you can check out the preliminary design below (scroll down on this webpage), which shows about 40 garden plots as well as raised beds for gardeners with accessibility needs. The city expects the community garden to be open and ready to accept new gardeners this spring.
This has been my third and last year as president of ACNA. I’ve really enjoyed the work I’ve done in that time and the great people I’ve worked with. It is so satisfying to welcome members old and new to our monthly meetings, which help to keep our neighborhood organization active and thriving. If you haven’t yet considered joining our ACNA board, I urge you to consider it now, before our annual elections next February. With a board position in ACNA, you are able to help build consensus and guide decisions that can benefit, you, your family and the neighborhood around you. You are helping to build community! Contact me at president@ACNA.org to learn more about open positions for 2027.
Cheers,
Nancy Mattson
Help Restore Arnold Creek!
Saturday, October 17
9:00 am – 12:00 pm
Join us for a morning of removing invasive plants and restoring habitat along Arnold Creek. Tools, gloves and snacks provided.
Learn more and RSVP: westsidewatersheds.org/events
New Southwest Portland Community Garden
Laura Niemi, City of Portland Community Gardens Program Manager | Land Stewardship
In late 2022, Portland Parks & Recreation (PP&R) dedicated funding for a community garden in SW Portland, where there is a lack of space for community members to grow their own food. This dedication was the result of advocacy by the Southwest Corridor Equity Coalition (SWEC), an equity and community- centered effort between 38 organizations, including nonprofits, businesses, philanthropic partners, neighborhoods, and local government agencies.
PP&R and SWEC members reviewed multiple properties for a new community garden in the general vicinity of Holly Farm Park and Jackson Middle School. This general area is home to a diverse community of people from all over the world, including East African immigrants and refugees. These neighbors have historically been underserved, and typically live in rental units without access to places to grow fresh, healthy food. In partnership with community-based organizations, a portion of the garden plots would be allocated for underserved neighbors.
The partners identified two options currently owned by the Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT) – an undeveloped right-of-way at SW 49th and SW Comus, and two properties and right-of-way at SW 35th and SW Stephenson. Both locations were thoroughly evaluated and determined appropriate for a community garden. PP&R is moving forward with further analysis and negotiations with PBOT to construct and operate community gardens at both locations.
A new community garden will benefit all people living and working in the area by beautifying our urban neighborhoods, increasing our resilience to climate change through carbon sequestration, and reducing stormwater runoff. A new community garden will provide opportunities for garden users to gather, learn, spend time in nature, and most importantly, grow fresh and affordable food.
To learn more about Portland Community Gardens, visit: Community Gardens | Portland.gov
View the SWEC Community Garden Workgroup website.
Image from City of Portland website
Draft garden design (above).
Arnold Creek 2025 Transportation Survey Report
BP-53 SW 35th Safe Shoulder Walkway – a safer shoulder walkway on SW 35th from SW Arnold St to SW Stephenson St is ranked the top priority between three Arnold Creek transportation projects defined in Portland Bureau of Transportation’s Southwest in Motion (SWIM).
Join advocates for implementation of SWIM project BP-53. Contact ACNA Transportation Chair Andy Robbins, transportation@arnoldcreek.org.
Tryon CreekHighway 43 Culvert Replacement Project
Environmental Services, which manages wastewater and stormwater to protect human health and the environment, is working with the US Army Corps of Engineers to replace an undersized culvert that carries Tryon Creek under Highway 43. This project will reopen the creek to salmon and other fish species.
Project Area
The project is located where Tryon Creek passes under Highway 43 near Tryon Cove Park in Lake Oswego.
Image from Environmental Services website.
Volunteer
Let us know what skills you have and how you would like to help.
Current need for volunteer to manage social media, including the ACNA Facebook page. Connect and engage Arnold Creek neighbors. Create a sense of community and belonging. Commitment is approximately an hour per month. Email president@arnoldcreek.org.