FoCSP receives $100,000 Heart of the Community Grant

Congress Square Park will receive expanded amenities and programming in 2015 as part of Southwest Airlines’ Heart of the Community program in partnership with Project for Public Spaces.  Friends of Congress Square Park will lead the initiative to further revitalize the space through a combination of programming support and activations to encourage an area that attracts resident and supports local business and cultural institutions.

“Cities are more than destinations—they are places of human connections and livelihood,” said Gary Kelly, Chairman, President, and CEO of Southwest Airlines.  “Our Purpose at Southwest is to connect People to what’s important in their lives.  What better way to do that than by helping to create more access to our public spaces where communities can come together?”

Congress Square Park is one of six public spaces across the country selected through a competitive application process. Proposed projects are evaluated in terms of preliminary work and preparedness, capacity for local impact, potential for large-scale public-private partnerships, and strength of the commitment demonstrated by local partners.

The Friends of Congress Square Park are thrilled to be be part of the Heart of the Community program!

 

Park with possibilities

Reimagining Congress Square is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to create a beautiful, flexible and timeless park and square. The design possibilities are endless. We must strive for excellence.

Several designers from around the globe have given thought to the possibilities. Below is a sampling of some of their ideas sent in through an open call from the Friends of Congress Square Park in the fall of 2013.

We look forward to a future redesign that allows this important square and park to realize its full potential as a world-class public space – a central attraction at the heart of Portland’s Arts District and an anchor for community and economic development for generations to come.

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