The Portland Parks Foundation announced today that Executive Director Randy Gragg will retire from his role effective September 30 of this year.
“It’s been almost five years,” Gragg said. “During that time, we’ve made huge strides remaking the organization to be more diverse, equitable, and inclusive both in its programming and in all of its relationships with the wide range of communities we serve. We’ve done, and are still doing, some great projects. We survived a pandemic . . . and we grew.”
Gragg will return to writing and to producing independent creative projects in the fields of architecture and urban design.
The foundation’s Deputy Director Jessica Green, a seven-year veteran of the organization, will serve as Interim Executive Director until Gragg’s successor is chosen.
During the past two months, the Portland Parks Foundation board has worked closely with both Gragg and Green to ensure a smooth transition. Going forward, Gragg will work on an as-needed basis to complete important projects in progress such as PPF’s development of design and engineering contract documents for the restoration of the Thompson Elk Fountain.
"When Randy joined us, he quickly raised the visibility of the organization and enriched its value to Portlanders,” said Board Chair Kia Selley. “He jumped into the middle of a complex construction project connecting Portland’s Wildwood Trail across West Burnside with the Barbara Walker Crossing. This summer, we celebrated the completion of the new playground in Rose City Park. Under Randy’s leadership, we’ve harnessed the power of parks to strengthen communities and create a more powerful sense of belonging for everyone.”
During his tenure, working collaboratively with Green, Gragg shepherded an impressive list of key projects and initiatives:
Completing the construction of the Barbara Walker Crossing.
Producing “Green Dreams,” a compelling series of conversations with thought leaders and elected officials about the future of Portland’s parks system.
Developing “Friends & Allies” initiatives supporting the city’s 200+ parks-related organizations with an expanded grants program, technical assistance, and summits.
Curating PPF’s parks posters, a series of collaborations with local designers to celebrate parks with a series, now 10 and counting, of collectible silkscreens and lithographs.
Overseeing the 2020 Parks Levy campaign that now provides over $50 million per year to support PP&R’s programs, parks maintenance, and tree stewardship.
Launching Paseo, an annual festival animating the South Park Blocks with the art and culture of communities that all too often have felt excluded from downtown.
Piloting The Joey Pope Fund for Parks Leadership — an endowment of $590,000 and growing — that supports emerging leaders with grants technical assistance.
Crafting a private/public partnership to build a new playground in Rose City Park.
"Reimagining O’Bryant Square,” a major public outreach effort to redevelop the square recently renamed Darcelle XV Plaza.
And most recently, spurring a private/public partnership developed with City Commissioners Carmen Rubio, Dan Ryan, and Mingus Mapps to restore Portland’s landmark David P. Thompson Elk Fountain and return it to its historic home downtown.
Jessica Green has run operations for PPF since joining the organization in 2016. In 2019, she took over PPF programming overseeing the development of the Friends & Allies grants, awards and summit programs and all of PPF’s initiatives in diversity, equity and inclusion. She also serves as board chair for Friends of Tryon Creek and provides year-round coaching to athletes across the country running races and raising money for the Michael J. Fox Foundation.