Dawson Park has long been considered a cultural landmark for Black Portland — where civil rights rallies originated and prominent historical figures visited — but it was originally developed in the early 20th century to keep children segregated.

The big picture: The park's evolution reflects the Albina neighborhood's transformation: Shaped by racial tension and molded by redlining and displacement, it became a home base for Black life in the city.

State of play: The park's early history was recently resurfaced by Portland State University historian Catherine McNeur, who is developing a new undergraduate course examining the city's past through its public spaces.

• While building out an Albina walking tour for students, McNeur discovered more about Dawson Park's origins and its namesake — minister John Dawson of Good Shepherd Episcopal Church.
• Using old newspaper accounts, City Council records, public letters, maps and historical archives, McNeur found that Dawson worked closely with then–City Council member Dan Kelleher to lobby for a park in Albina.

Flashback: In 1920, after Portland voters approved a parks bond, city leaders prioritized developing Irving Park over the Dutard tract, which would become Dawson. This led to Dawson and Kelleher launching a public campaign, McNeur told Axios.

• Dawson argued in newspapers that children in Albina — who were primarily of Irish, Scandinavian and German descent — should not have to play with Russian immigrant children who lived near the Irving Park site just a few blocks over.
• The pair continued to apply anti-Russian rhetoric and political pressure, even staging a large assembly of children at the lot during a City Council visit, until Dawson Park was designated in December 1920.

After World War II, many of the families who had advocated for neighborhood improvements like Dawson Park left Albina for suburban developments.

• Later on, Black residents — many of whom had been displaced by urban renewal projects and restricted by redlining — moved in.
• With a cluster of churches nearby, Dawson Park quickly became a gathering place for the Black community. It was integral to Portland's civil rights movement and was visited by Martin Luther King Jr. and Bobby Kennedy in the 1960s.

Keep reading

Portland City Council is considering cutting its committee structure from eight panels to five in an effort to streamline meetings and improve efficiency.

Why it matters: The proposal from Council President Jamie Dunphy aims to shorten lengthy meetings and sharpen the council's focus as it continues to adapt to a new governing structure.

Catch up quick: Portland rolled out its committee system in January 2025 as part of a broader government transition.

• The full 12-member council meets every week and each of the six-member committees hold two-hour meetings every other week.
• The intent was to provide time to go over legislative proposals and iron out details before issues came before the full council.
• But the setup led to lengthy meetings that often lacked focus, per OPB.

The latest: Dunphy's proposal would create four topic-based committees — Housing and Permitting; Community and Public Safety; Public Works; and City Life, focused on business, workforce and the arts — plus a Committee of the Whole composed of all 12 councilors, which would take on citywide issues.

• The Committee of the Whole would not allow for public comment, though, with Dunphy calling it "a slightly less formal opportunity to actively debate and amend and futz with really important issues."

What's next: The council is set to consider the proposal during tomorrow's meeting.

• The changes, if approved, would be implemented next month.

Share this story

⚡️ In a $1.9 billion deal, Portland General Electric will acquire nearly all of PacifiCorp's Washington assets, including power plants and roughly 140,000 customers, in a move that aims to align the company's cost structure. (Portland Business Journal)

🧑‍⚖️ A federal judge extended a temporary restriction on the use of tear gas and other munitions outside of the ICE facility in South Portland. (The Oregonian)

🔬 Oregon Health & Science University inked a tentative deal with its research union, which represents 1,700 workers, after months of negotiations and just days before it was set to strike. (Willamette Week)

The average discount for Portland homes that sold below their original asking price last year was 6.6% — the largest such gap since 2012, according to a Redfin report.

Why it matters: Still-high mortgage rates and home prices have sidelined many shoppers. But those who remain in the market are scoring the biggest deals in years.

State of play: Nearly 59% of Portland homebuyers last year paid less than the listing price, Redfin data shows, with a median original list price of $569,000.

• It's a buyers market, if you can afford it, with a record 47% more home sellers nationally than buyers in December, per Redfin, giving house hunters more options and negotiating power.

The bottom line: Buyers may be able to look a little outside of their budget, said Redfin senior economist Asad Khan, "because there's a good chance they'll get some sort of concession from the seller, be it a price cut, money toward closing costs or funds for repairs."

Tell a homebuyer

The Rev. Jesse Jackson, a civil rights icon who spent his career fighting against racial inequality and injustice, died yesterday at the age of 84.

• Jackson visited Portland in August of 1987 to speak at the National Women's Political Caucus where he encouraged his potential rival in the 1988 presidential primary, U.S. Rep. Patricia Schroeder, to run for office.

What he said: "We cannot have any misgivings about a woman's ability to run for office and be President," Jackson said, per the Associated Press.