Honoring the Legacy of Portland’s Black-Owned Newspapers
- Portland Observer
- Sep 10
- 3 min read
Celebrating the Expansion of Historic Story Boulders at Dawson Park
Portland Parks & Recreation (PP&R) proudly announces the latest addition to Dawson Park’s Historic Story Boulders, an installation honoring the legacy of Portland’s Black-owned newspapers.
Originally installed in 2014 as part of significant park improvements, Dawson Park's story boulders have become a beloved educational and cultural feature. The twelve original boulders honor key moments and movements in Portland's history, including the 1963 Medgar Evers Memorial Freedom March, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s 1961 visit to Portland, the legacy of local civil rights activism, and community contributions to arts, commerce, and civic life.
Now, thanks to a community-led effort and funding approved by Portland City Council, a new story boulder has been added to the park. This addition honors the vital role of Black-owned newspapers in Portland’s history - most notably The Skanner News and The Portland Observer, along with many others that have documented, uplifted, and advocated for Portland’s Black community over generations.
“This project is about the legacy of Black-owned media, and how it's been a part of Portland since we became a real city,” says Bernie Foster, Co-founder and Publisher of The Skanner News, who championed the idea. “I'm humbled knowing that the story of Black storytelling will be told for generations, and through art.”
The new boulder features a photo-etched stainless steel imagery plate, designed to match the artistic style of the original installations. The original project team returned to bring this vision to life, with the important addition of local Black historian Kimberly Moreland, who contributed historical research for the new panel.
“Dawson Park is a place where history and community come together,” says Priya Dhanapal, Deputy City Administrator for Public Works. “We’re honored to support projects that celebrate and preserve the enduring contributions of Portland’s Black community and connect residents and visitors to the stories that have shaped our city.”
In addition to installing the new boulder, PP&R replaced all 12 existing imagery plates, art objects which had experienced wear over time, and is completing restoration work on the boulders themselves to ensure their continued beauty and accessibility for future generations.
“Dawson Park is more than a green space, and it’s a privilege to help preserve community history in a meaningful and visible way.” says PP&R Interim Director Sonia Schmanski.
Today, visitors to Dawson Park can experience the full collection of 13 Historic Story Boulders, a powerful and permanent tribute to Portland’s Black history, activism, and cultural legacy.
Dawson Park is a small, vibrant neighborhood park in North Portland. For more than 100 years, it has been a place where neighbors gather, kids play and thrive. The park is especially important to Portland’s Black community and provided a key meeting space during the civil rights movement. Today, it continues to honor that legacy while offering a welcoming space for everyone.
At the center of the park is a large open lawn, perfect for picnics, playing, or relaxing under the shade of tall trees. A gazebo with an onion-shaped dome, salvaged from the historic Hill Block Building, stands as a powerful symbol of the neighborhood’s past.
Kids love the updated playground, which includes sensory play features and adaptive swings. The interactive splash pad is a favorite on hot summer days and includes 12 seed-shaped boulders that share the park’s deep history through stories and images. The basketball court, newly renovated in 2023 thanks to a partnership between PP&R, Nike, and the Portland Trailblazers, is accessible and well-used.
Dawson Park is also home to free community events during the summer. These include concerts, movies, and the Free Lunch + Play program (part of Summer Free For All), which offers meals for kids.
The park is easy to get to by bus, walking, rolling, or biking. All main pathways, restrooms, picnic tables, and play areas are accessible. Dawson Park is a place of connection, history, and joy. Whether one comes to learn, relax, play, or celebrate, there’s something there for everyone.