The 2008 community center open house was a fascinating journey into the past. As we celebrated our future in the historic building our neighbors came together to share stories of Woodstock past.

The afternoon began with business owners speaking about their perspective of the history of Woodstock, how many things have changed, how some things have stayed the same.

There was an opportunity to taste delicious noshes from our current local businesses. Laughing Planet, Toast, Otto’s, Woodstock Wine and Deli, First Cup and Pappacino’s all shared tasty tidbits as people continues to mingle and swap stories of the past. There were stories of a pet duck who loved worms, where the library was originally built with its potbellied stove to keep readers warm, of playing ping pong in the community centers basement when it was a firehouse and more. People shared photos, new and old.

People were encouraged to write their stories and draw pictures that will be incorporated into a paper quilt that will be displayed at the community center.

Everyone enjoyed sharing, listening and telling their unique tales of Woodstock. Thank you for joining us! And if you weren’t able to attend, please stop by the community center soon and see the quilt.

see more photos of the afternoon...

The Woodstock Community Center is in an historic firehouse that was built in 1928. In 1958, Portland Parks assumed ownership of the firehouse and converted it into a Community Center. The Center is located at 5905 SE 43rd, just west of the Bi-Mart parking lot.

Portland Parks and Recreation offers a variety of classes at the Woodstock Community Center. In addition the Center serves as a meeting place for the Woodstock Neighborhood Association, which also sponsors other events there. Space at the Community Center can be rented for birthday parties and other gatherings.

The Woodstock Community Center is currently being operated through a partnership between the Woodstock Neighborhood Association/Friends of the Woodstock Community Center and Portland Parks and Recreation. (See the Community Center Partnership Agreement below.)

Portland Parks and Recreation offers an ongoing schedule of classes year round at the Woodstock Community Center including Tae Kwon Do, Yoga, Pilates and individual guitar and piano lessons.

Additional Parent/Child Messy Art & movements classes along with dance, a Cooperative Preschool and adult Antique Clock Repair and Water Color classes will be offered September-June.

		Class Schedule! On-Line www.PortlandParks.org

Pre-Ballet for ages 4 and 5 begins in September. Antique Clock Repair begins in September and the Thursday afternoon class in Watercolor Technique starts in early October.

Complete class and fee schedules are available at the Woodstock Branch Library and on the front porch of the Community Center, as well as on line at www.PortlandParks.org. The schedule for classes at Woodstock can also be found in the Mt. Scott Community Center class catalogue.

PP and R staff is available to answer questions and to take registration on Mondays from 3:30 to 8:30 PM and on Tuesdays between 5:00 and 8:00 PM (call 503-823-3633). You can also call the Mt. Scott Community Center (call 503-823-3183) or go on-line at www.PortlandParks.org.

In the 2004-2005 budget season, Woodstock Community Center (WCC) was slated for closure due to lack of funds to keep it open. With neighborhood support, a group of community members sponsored by the Woodstock Neighborhood Association stepped up to co-manage WCC.

Following an initial one-year trial, the Portland City Council unanimously approved a three-year Shared Use Agreement between Portland Parks & Recreation and the Friends of the Woodstock Community Center supported by the Woodstock Neighborhood Association. This Partnership Agreement will allow Woodstock Community Center to stay open for community use through June of 2008.

According to the Partnership Agreement, Portland Parks & Recreation (PPR) continues to provide programming at the building, such as recreation/enrichment classes, private rentals and other events. Most routine operational expenses are now being covered by the Woodstock Neighborhood Association/Friends of Woodstock Community Center (FWCC), for which they raise money through private fundraising events and or offset by providing in-kind volunteer labor (grounds upkeep, twice weekly custodial and other minor maintenance obligations) with the oversight of PPR staff.

As we continue to succeed, the Agreement can be used as a guiding light to other community centers faced with budget cuts that could mean closure. By working together, we can keep this Center open to the neighborhood for a long time to come.

Donations to the Friends of the Woodstock Community Center are warmly appreciated.

If you would like a tax-deductible donation receipt, please feel free to write your donation to:

South East Uplift
Memo of Check: FWCC
3534 SE Main
Portland, Oregon 97211

The Friends of the Woodstock Community Center (FWCC) is a Steering Committee delegated by the Woodstock Neighborhood Association to over see various aspects of the Partnership Agreement. The FWCC works closely with PPR staff to maintain good communication among all parties associated with the Agreement. The FWCC recruits and coordinates volunteers to help with the custodial and maintenance responsibilities of the Agreement. The FWCC also engages in fundraising, both to cover the costs of maintenance obligations and to build a reserve fund to cover the costs of utilities.

The Friends group can always use more volunteer help. Specifically, help is needed with custodial work (this can be on an occasional basis), with landscape maintenance, and with monitoring the steam boiler. FWCC also intends to begin applying for grants and would welcome the expertise of persons familiar with the grant writing process.

To offer assistance with custodial and maintenance chores, contact Terry Griffiths at 503-771-0011, or Desiree Leslie-Sexton at 503-706-8368. If you are willing and able to help with grant writing or fundraising, please contact Lonnie Port at 503-774-2619 or lonniewna@hotmail.com.

The terms of the Agreement (simplified) are as follows:

• Portland Parks and Recreation will continue to program classes at the Center insofar as it can do so on a cost neutral basis.
• The Woodstock Neighborhood Association/Friends of the Woodstock Community Center will provide in-kind volunteer maintenance and custodial services to minimize the costs of keeping the building operating.
• The Woodstock Neighborhood Association/Friends of the Woodstock Community Center will cover utilities and routine maintenance expenses. This is possible initially because of a one-time $17,000 grant from the Office of Neighborhood Involvement. Additional fund-raising and grant writing will be necessary.

Call us at 503-823-3633. The hours the center is open are limited so, if you don't get an answer, please leave a message. Or visit us on-line at www.PortlandParks.org.

Call 503 823-3633 for all class schedules

Tim Hammock
WCC Staff:
Tracy Krevanco
Tori Padellford
Cassandra Sloan Nicholson

It's best to call.

#19 Woodstock
#75 39th Ave/Lombard

Inaccessible

Call 503-823-3633 for information.

Acreage: 0.11
Acquired in 1958
Woodstock Neighborhood
Includes classrooms, kitchen, office, and restrooms.

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