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Portland Anchor Articles: Wharf Park updates

August 2007—Big Splash on the Portland Wharf: National Awards Day Event

Plan to come join in on an afternoon in honor and recognition of Portland’s heritage on Wednesday, September 26 at Portland Wharf Park. Along the banks of the Ohio at Portland’s historic wharf; the public along with leaders of state and local government will join together to announce Portland’s listings on the National Historic Register. National Historic Register awards for Portland and ten other regional sites will be given by State Historic Preservation Officer, Donna Neary with participating members of the Kentucky Heritage Council from Frankfort, KY. Portland will be recognized for its nationwide status as a Preserve America neighborhood, an honor given by First Lady Laura Bush as part of a nationwide White House Initiative to protect our nation’s priceless natural and cultural heritage. Portland Museum – the recipient of an accompanying Preserve America grant will unveil plans to enhance Portland’s heritage development potential through the design of a series of heritage trails in the community along with the creation of a set of master plans to interpret the history of Portland Wharf Park with support from Metro Parks. Awards ceremony will begin at 3PM. Shawnee High’s student group, Pillars of Portland, will conduct tours, interpreting Portland Wharf Park’s heritage sites. Tours will begin at 4PM and continue until 6PM. Kentucky Archaeological Survey will also conduct live Archaeological excavations on site for visitors to observe. Contact Portland Museum at 776-7678 for more details. See you there.

July 2007—When Bluebirds Have No Place to Go

When is the last time you saw a bluebird near your home? For those who can remember it has probably been decades since your last visit. The natural habitat of the bluebird has been in rapid decline. Bluebirds for some time coped with the change in natural habitat by seeking shelter in wooden fence posts. But most of those are now metal or have been coated in creosote – a repellent to the bird. Sources say that during the 1970’s over 70% of the bluebirds disappeared. With the attention they have drawn bluebird habitat is being restored with the placement of bluebird houses and their populations are rebounding as a result. Here in Portland several areas serve as bluebird habitat and in those areas there could be hope. Portland Museum is working with volunteers who are interested in helping bluebirds by putting up blue bird boxes in the fifty-five acre Portland Wharf Park, entrance located at 31st and Rudd Avenue. Volunteers also help in the maintenance and supervision of the boxes as the bluebirds continue to nest and build back their community. For many the simple beauty of the bluebird is worth saving, for others their ability to eat pounds of harmful pests each day are a plus. Whatever your reason, come on out and help us make bluebirding possible in Portland. It is important not to disturb bluebird boxes with loud noise or handling. Just taking a seat and watching them work is worthwhile. Contact Benjamin Baggett at Portland Museum if interested in helping, 776-7678.

June 2007—Springtime Cleaning in Portland Wharf Park

Crews of eager volunteers from around Portland gathered Saturday, May 19th, for springtime cleaning in Portland Wharf Park. Volunteers gathered at the intersection of 33d and Florida Street in the park to start their day. By the day’s end, volunteers filled a dumpster with bags of garbage, tires and debris collected from drainages and streets of the old Portland town. While this was a chance to clean one of Portland’s great parks it was also a chance for residents to consider the needs of the park. Comments were made on the need for restrooms in the area and better maintenance to show off the valuable historic cornerstones marking the street grid. Others recognized the chance to use the park to host special events where visitors could enjoy walking the historic streets

of Portland Wharf nestled by the Ohio River while admiring the impressive backdrop of the K&I bridge. The teamwork and good conversation made for a good time for everyone and will likely be repeated in the fall. The cleanup was made possible by the hard work of neighborhood residents and volunteers from the Portland Museum, Portland Good Neighbor Committee, and Portland Now. Residents and organizations appreciate the donation of supplies and equipment from Metro Parks and Operation Brightside. Stay tuned for announcement of future events in the park.

May 2007—Portland Wharf Park in Bloom

April marks the beginning of wildflower season in the park. Wildflowers now in bloom are Bird’s Eye, Purple Deadnettle, Philadelphia Flea Bane, Garlic Mustard, and Common Blue Violets. Many of the flowers you will find are native to the area while others were brought from Europe. The Garlic Mustard (see photo) you find in the park is one such plant brought over and was widely used as an edible green and for medicinal use. While used by only a few today some non-native species continue to grow and now take control of the habitat and crowd out native species. The reductions of native species that result bring little species diversity and reduce the quality of the native ecosystem. Portland Museum will host walks to identify some of these plants in the park and work to restore the native plant life to the area. Please contact Benjamin Baggett at Portland Museum if interested in participating to assist native wildflowers in reclaiming their landscape at Portland Wharf Park, phone: 502-776-7678.

March 2007—Cabin Fever? Take to Portland Wharf Park!

Spring is a wonderful time to visit Portland Wharf Park. Admission is always free and visitors get a chance to view wildflowers, varieties of trees in bloom accompanied by the gentle downriver flow of the mighty Ohio on a cool sunny day. This settling image complete with the occasional hawk overhead or towboat pushing its wake along in the breeze is ideal for anyone wishing to relieve the wintertime blues. In addition to the springtime palettes of color and wonderful views there is deep history that awaits you. If you want to know what it was really like when it was bustling as one of the first and largest of the five river towns, come to Portland Museum. Come look at a map, take a self-guided tour, and find out what was really going on at the Wharf. There are many stories to share and you are a part of the story. Come shake off the winter coat and enjoy a spring stroll through one of Portland’s hidden jewels.

Portland Museum will be holding meetings to discuss interpreting the history of Portland Wharf Park with Metro Parks. In order to do this we need our community leaders to come share their ideas and enjoy being part of the planning. At this time, plans are to build heritage trails that connect the park to the community. Some ideas we have received are African American Heritage, Maritime Heritage, and Architectural History of Portland. We would like to hear from you and hope you become involved in helping bring this jewel to shine in your community. Contact Benjamin Baggett or Mary Turner at Portland Museum, 502-776-7678.

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