Portland's Mt. Tabor Park witnessed a swath of destruction in the wake of last week's snow and ice storm, with approximately 30 large trees bowing to the storm's strength and leaving significant damage in their wake. A historic picnic shelter, which stood as a half-century sentinel, was among the casualties reported by Portland Parks & Recreation.
Locals like Alec Burton were shocked by the devastation. "There's a lot of trees down up there and the picnic shelter is crushed ... it's pretty dramatic," Burton told KGW. Portland Parks & Recreation has indicated that a thorough assessment and subsequent clean-up could require several days before commencement.
The fierce winter storm not only knocked down trees but also led to the power outage that affected over 120,000 households, as per reports from Portland General Electric. "The big news is that the top of Mount Tabor got destroyed," Vincent Moore, maintenance supervisor for the east service zone, stated in an interview with Willamette Week. Adding to the turmoil, the city is contending with blocked park gates and frozen pipes needing urgent repairs.
Community groups, including Friends of Mt. Tabor, have stepped forwards to support restoration efforts. Meanwhile, Portland Parks & Recreation spokesperson Mark Ross expressed gratitude for the support and patience from the public, acknowledging offers for donations to replace the destroyed picnic shelter. "We appreciate the enthusiasm and ask for patience," Ross conveyed in statements to KOIN 6 News. Though eager to address replacement and reconstruction, the city's immediate focus pivots on clean-up and repair.
While over 500 fallen trees have been assessed by Urban Forestry arborists, the work is far from done with around 142 trees still awaiting evaluation. As the scale of destruction becomes clearer, access to the park remains restricted for safety reasons, leaving Portland's residents to reckon with the storm's historical impact.
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