Historic South Park Blocks 'in fine shape' following PSU protests

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — Even as the South Park Blocks continue making history in Portland, with it being a frequent focal point during last week’s Portland State University protests, people are celebrating its commemoration as a recognized national historic site.

However, despite much vandalism that unfolded amid the Gaze ceasefire protests at PSU, including inside the Millar Library and at nearby businesses during a march last week, the South Park Blocks itself — home to an oasis of trees in the heart of downtown Portland — was not damaged. 

Mark Ross, a Portland Parks and Recreation spokesperson, told KOIN 6 News Wednesday morning that the South Park Blocks “are in fine shape with no issues.”

On Tuesday, a commemoration was held to install bronze plaques — one at each end of the South Park Blocks — to celebrate its recognition on the National Register of Historic Places. Those who were involved with making its recognition official, including members of the Portland Downtown Neighborhood Association, were in attendance.

“It’s the oldest park in Portland. It’s on the original map of Portland, believe it or not,” said Wendy Rahm, a resident of downtown Portland who helped make the historic registration happen.

The South Park Blocks was dedicated in 1852 as Portland’s first official open public space.

“There were so many attempts, before our attempt, to get it registered. Many people understood its value to Portlanders. It has a unique design, which you may or may not have noticed, of five rows of five trees in alignment that create allées of long views in a downtown setting. This is unique.”

According to Portland Parks and Recreation, the historical designation for the South Park Blocks was officially completed back in 2022. However, it was only this week that the recognition was formalized with the installation of a bronze plaque at Shemanski Park. 

The five rows of trees that form the famous green canopy weren’t installed until 17 years after the park was founded. The City of Portland had commissioned horticulturist Louis Pfunder to implement this landscape plan, which now serves as its most distinctive feature. 

How the South Park Blocks overlapped with recent PSU protests 

Gaza ceasefire protests first kicked off among PSU community members on April 25, with demonstrators gathering at the South Park Blocks as a starting point. A group of about 35 occupied the park into the evening until they were finally dispersed around 1 a.m. At the time, police cited people occupying the park after hours as unlawful and said arrests could be made. They also warned against people engaging in property destruction at the park. A few dozen more protesters returned to the park, in a section that is in front of the PSU library, the next day. 

Then on April 29, a march along the South Park Blocks commenced involving roughly 200 protesters. Most dispersed by the early evening, but a group of about 50-75 people remained, kicking off the multi-day occupation of the library. Another march on May 1 saw nearby businesses and university buildings vandalized, including being subjected to smashed windows. 

The Portland Police Bureau finally cleared out the library on the morning of May 2, after which protesters gathered again near the South Park Blocks. Protesters re-entered the library that same evening but were cleared out of the building by police — once again — shortly thereafter.