The U.S. Bank Parks Champion Award recognizes an individual who provided outstanding volunteer service to a park, community center, natural area or community garden.
Portland Parks Foundation Awards two winners this year, each receiving the opportunity to direct a $1,500 grant from PPF to a community organization that aligns with our mission: to create a thriving and accessible parks system.
We had 29 nominations this year. Each of their photos are above and you can read about each of them here. To those who submitted nominations, thank you. We received nominations for volunteers contributing the following activities to our communities
Service spanning decades to places like Leach Botanical Gardens and Washington Park and Peninsula Park Rose Gardens
Place justice advocacy in North Portland working to revitalize George Park.
Advocating for recreation and programming related to increased access for biking and basketball and hiking
Restoring historical spaces like the Halprin Open Sequence and Terwilliger Parkway
Maintaining parks through pulling weeds and invasive species in places like Mt. Tabor Park and Tanner Springs
Cleaning up trash and increasing safety in Errol Heights, Pier Park, and the South Park Blocks,
Assisting community members to grow their own food in Fulton community garden.
Advocating for the native American community to have access to parks and natural areas to
Advocacy for playground equipment and park improvements in places like Patton Square and Rose City Park
Enhancing the experience for others who visit their parks through elevated programming and wonderful tours
Designing mindfulness programming at the Portland Japanese Garden
Tracking and protecting wildlife in places like Whitaker Ponds Nature Parks
Here are your 2020 U.S. Bank Parks Champions
Cynthia Sulaski
Nominated for her volunteer work in North Portland including her work with Pittman Hydro Park, Patton Square Park, Overlook Park, and Friends of Trees to plant over 800 trees in North Portland, Cynthia is a problem solver who makes a difference for residents in and around Overlook as well as other areas in North Portland.
In addition to being an organizer for all things parks, she is also the first one to get her hands dirty whether it’s picking up trash or planting new trees. In addition to fundraising to build playgrounds, organizing park clean up days, planting trees and much, much more, she ensures that Movies in a Park in Overlook Park are kid-friendly and welcoming to all communities, year after year.
Cynthia has requested that her $1,500 grant go to the Overlook Neighborhood Association specifically for the Summer Free for All Movies in Overlook Park expenses.
Ken Lee
Ken Lee has been a volunteer coach since 1965 for the Goldenball Youth Basketball Program.
He has bene a volunteer coach for thousands of kids going through the program. He encourages
kids to participate, parents to volunteer as coaches and communicates the importance of
sportsmanship. This program has approximately 3,000 kids involved each season and it relies on volunteer coaches to put teams together.
Ken is a coach of coaches. He makes it all possible. He’s a legend in the program and makes a difference in kids’ lives year after year. In addition to being a role model and inspiration with his positive attitude and teaching kids the skills to be successful in sports and in life, Ken also goes out to the community to find sponsorship registration for team registration and uniform purchase for kids who would otherwise not be able to participate in PP&R and Goldenball.
Ken Lee would like his $1,500 grant to go towards Goldenball Youth Basketball program expenses, specifically to help out the Harvey Scott basketball program.
Read about each of the nominees and the amazing volunteer work they are doing in our city!
Link to PDF here.
