BOISE NEIGHBORHOOD COMMUNITY ASSETS

Unthank Park

Unthank Park adjoins SEI Academy, and is the only City park in Boise neighborhood. It is not a dog park (we have no dog park currently). It is used by after school programs for kids through Parks & Recreation and SEI Academy, as well as community members and families. Every spring, the Spring Cleanup is held in the parking lot adjoining the park, and every summer, National Night Out is held in the park.

Background

Dr. DeNorval Unthank (1899-1977) was born in Pennsylvania, raised in Kansas City, and received his medical degree from Howard University in Washington, DC. He moved to Portland in 1929 to start his own practice. He was on the staff of Good Samaritan, Providence, St Vincent, and Emanuel Hospitals. (Excerpt from: Portland Parks & Recreation. See for more info on sports park reservations and other amenities)

In addition to being an outstanding doctor, DeNorval was also a civil rights activist, serving as president of the local NAACP, co-founding the Portland Urban League, and winning numerous awards for his work against racial equality. In 1969, the city of Portland named Unthank Park in his honor. (Excerpt from: Stories of the Street)

BOISE ELIOT NATIVE GROVE

Main project website: https://www.nativegrovepdx.org.

This grove of native trees, shrubs, wildflowers and grasses, with native bee housing, paths and benches, and educational signage was created to support populations of native pollinators, insects, and birds, in partnership with local schools, businesses and community environmental organizations.

A group of neighbors had a dream and banded together to create this habitat. They started with securing approval from PBOT to turn an unused plot of PBOT land into this lush native habitat for all to enjoy. Through many donations and volunteer work parties that continue to this day they take care of this habitat. You can help too! Contact: NativeGrovePDX@gmail.com