3rd Thrid of the Year 2003

1. Name of Park: Canemah
   Location: 4th Avenue, Canemah area of Oregon City
   Owner: Oregon City
   Chapter(s) Read: 1 Samuel 31, 2 Samuel 1
   Notes: Small park with playground, basketball hoop, a few benches, and some open grass. Very quiet in terms of traffic noise, since park is at end of dead-end street. It is possible to get to lower Canemah by using an old stone staircase from the early years of the city of Canemah, rather than go all the way around by way of the streets. Arrived at highway 99E in time to get #79 back without too long a wait.

2. Name of Park: Cathedral
   Location: under east end of St. John's Bridge, Portland
   Owner: city of Portland
   Chapter(s) Read: 2 Samuel 6
   Notes: Arrived on bus 40. Park gets name from shape of bridge above park. Benches and scattered trees on open grass. There is an outdoor stage set up on the south side of the bridge, in the lower part of the park. Unfortunately, the park is under seige from the bridge construction work.

3. Name of Park: Cedar Hills
   Location: Walker Road and Cedar Hills Blvd, north of Beaverton
   Owner: Tualatin Hills P&R
   Chapter(s) Read: 2 Samuel 15
   Notes: Walked from Center Street Park. Two busy roads, but at least the basketball and soccer area is separated from Walker Road by a fence. Picnic tables, some bathrooms (this time of year reliance is on partable plastic bathrooms). Playground and large trees as well. Tenis courts. Rebellion happens, and David accept the prophet's predictions.

4. Name of Park: Center Street
   Location: SW 121st & Denfield, Beaverton
   Owner: Tualatin Hills P&R Dist.
   Chapter(s) Read: 2 Samuel 14
   Notes: Walked from MAX Beaverton Transit Center. Path linking park to Center Street closed due to constructin project. Mostly open space. Scattered smal and medium trees, Small playground, a few drinking fountains, tenis courts, basketball hoops. This whole series of events in this chapter doesn't really make sense. Joab appears to be doing this to try to please the king, but the King's son Absolom winds up causing the rebellion later on in the chapter, plus neither the king nor Joab want to see Absolom (so why did Joab make him move if the king didin't want to see him?)

5. Name of Park: East Delta Park
   Location: N. Union Court, north of Hayden Meadows Drive
   Owner: City of Portland
   Chapter(s) Read: 1 Samuel 5
   Notes: Had to drive to Oregon Food Bank, and so left some extra time to stop here on way there. Large sports complex. Very busy early on Sat. morning. Off leash dog area on east side of Union Ct.

6. Name of Park: Freeponds (on sign in park) or Hallinan (on some maps)
   Location: HEmlock Street between Meadows Drive and Buckner Street
   Owner: City of Lake Oswego
   Chapter(s) Read: 2 Samuel 19
   Notes: Walked from bus 35. Paved walkway through middle of park. Has mowed grass for all manner of games, a few picnic tables, some wild forest, and possibly a good view to the north (can't tell due to rain clouds this day). Benches and drinking fountain on west side of park as well.

7. Name of Park: Glenmorrie
   Location: between Pacific Highway and Brookhurst Drive, Lake Oswego
   Owner: City of Lake Oswego
   Chapter(s) Read: 2 Samual 23
   Notes: Walked from bus route #35. Going up Glenmorrie Drive from the bus stop didn't accomplish much, and it was obvious this road would not take me to the park, despite the fact that the map shows a potential border with this road. I was able to find a short sidewalk connecting Glenmorrie drive and Brookhurst Drive, and came to the park that way. Park has undeveloped forest land, plus areas of cut grass. A series of small trees and a ridge separates the park from Pacific Highway. Only facilities really is a post with a dog waste pickup bag dispenser.

8. Name of Park: Greentree
   Location: Carter Place between Greentree Road and Greentree Circle, Lake Oswego
   Owner: City of Lake Oswego
   Chapter(s) Read: 2 Samuel 21
   Notes: Walked from unidentified park at Aspen & Lee. Small playground, 2 basketball hoops positioned 90 deg from eachother to prevent games here, excellent landscaping, busiest road is separated from park by an iron fence, but it is still possible to get through a gateway (no gate). David allows justice to be done, but by those who have been wronged.

9. Name of Park: Hammerlie
   Location: Pacific Highway and Lewis Street, West Linn
   Owner: City of West Linn
   Chapter(s) Read: 2 Samuel 24
   Notes: Walked from bus route 35. Covered Picnic Area, wading pool, drinking fountain, a fireplace for the picnic area, lots of playground equipment, but the only thing that really separates this from Pacific Highway (a busy road) is a small parking area. Two baseball diamonds. Lots of trees. One rest room facility. Again we see that when a leader sins, the people wind up with the consequences. Unlike the typical leader, David has a heart for his people, however, and refuses to make an offering that costs him nothing.

10. Name of Park: Howard M. Terpenning Sports Complex
    Location: Walker Road & SW 158th Avenue, Beaverton
    Owner: Tualatin Hills
    Chapter(s) Read: 2 Samuel 12
    Notes: Walked from Pioneer Park. Continue down Pioneer and eventually there is an entrance to the park. This is a sports complex park, and there ireally isn't anyting for you here if you are not involved in one of the games going on in the game fields that make up this park. Sometime after teh birth, God reacts to the injustice King David caused.

11. Name of Park: Lake Oswego Swim Park
    Location:
    Owner: City of Lake Oswego
    Chapter(s) Read: 2 Samuel 22
    Notes: Only Lake Oswego residents are allowed here. Therefore, stood in parking area and read under a tree there. This is a song of celebration of victory over the enemies of Israel. The image of God bending down to help and save people is an excellent image.

12. Name of Park: Lair Hill
    Location: SW Barbur Blvd., Portland
    Owner: city of Portland
    Chapter(s) Read: 2 Samuel 3, 4
    Notes: Arrived on bus #44 from Lesser Park. Playground, old trees, benches, picnic table, and tenis courts. David initially has a good sense of justice, and does not let these evil men go. Justice, however, later becomes a problem.

13. Name of Park: Lesser
    Location: approx SW 57th & Haines Rd., bordering on Portland Community College Silvania Campus, Portland
    Owner: city of Portland?
    Chapter(s) Read: 2 Samuel 3
    Notes: Arrived on bus #44 to PCC. Had to walk completely across campus to get to park. Park features gravel paths, and at least one primitive bench. David pleases the people by letting them know his is not involved in this mess.

14. Name of Park: McClean
    Location: next to and under I-205 bridge, West Linn
    Owner: City of West Linn
    Chapter(s) Read: 1 Kings 1
    Notes: Walked from Hamerlie Park. Despite racket of I-205, directly under the bridge is somewhat quieter. The sounds the bridge makes as heavy trucks pass over the bridge are interesting to listen too, so long as you are not directly under them. Park is a historical homestead, and includes some yard areas with benches. Rest of land is wild. As he becomes old, King David makes the mistake of not clearly stating who would be king after him.

15. Name of Park: Northgate
    Location: Fessenden St. & N. Berkeley Ave, Portland
    Owner: Portland
    Chapter(s) Read: 1 Samuel 28
    Notes: Walked from Peninsula Crossing Trail. Park has ball fields with a few picnic tables and large trees along the edge of the park to give some shade. There is a drinking fountain. King Saul gets impatient, and consults a medium instead of a prophet. Saul proves he is not one to follow God.

16. Name of Park: Old Canemah
    Location: South End Road and 5th Avenue, Canemah area of Oregon City
    Owner: Oregon City
    Chapter(s) Read: 1 Samuel 29, 30
    Notes: Arrived on bus #79. Park is entirely wild forest land, and I was unable to find any paths into it. Stood by side of road and read chapters.

17. Name of Park: Overlook
    Location: Along N. Overlook Blvd.
    Owner: city of Portland
    Chapter(s) Read: 2 Samuel 8
    Notes: Walked from Untahnk Park, using "Failing Pedestrian Bridge" over I-5. (Failing is the name of the street, but sign for I-5 traffic says "Failing Pedestrian Bridge". Park has two sections. The southern section has a playground, ball fields, shelters, and so forth. The northern section is only a small overlook area, but has a house that is part of the parks department. Both have good views of Portland and the Freemont Bridge.

18. Name of Park: Peninsula Crossing Trail
    Location: Along BNSF tracks between N. Willamette Blvd. and Marine Drive, Portland
    Owner: Portland
    Chapter(s) Read: 1 Samuel 27
    Notes: Walked from bus route #75. Park is fairly simple: paved trail in a grass area, with small trees and other plants in various areas. No benches or other items except for trail markers.

19. Name of Park: Pioneer
    Location: Pioneer Road & Meadow Drive, Beaverton
    Owner: Tualatin Hills
    Chapter(s) Read: 2 Samuel 11
    Notes: Walked from Terra Linda Park (had to go back through Sunset Park). Park consists of open grass, but a small playground is on the south side next to the road, among the trees. There are two picnic tables here also. North part of park is open grass with scattered trees and a paved path through it. Construction next to park must make this a horrid mess duirng week days. David attempts to cover up a sin against, we later find out, one of his most reliable soldiers. Sin is piled on top of sin. Yet, here it is written in the records as if everyone knew hat was going on.

20. Name of Park: Roxbury
    Location: SW Roxbury Av between Berkshire and Winchester, Washington County
    Owner: Tualatin Hills Parks & Recreation
    Chapter(s) Read: 2 Samuel 16, 17
    Notes: Walked from Cedar Hills Park. Open grass with playground, scattered trees, tenis courts, basketball hoops. Primary access road is not very busy, but park overlooks MAX and highway 217. Despite all that, traffic noise isn't as bad as some parks, but it is loud, depending on what type of vehicle is going by and how fast they are going. David has to retreat from the throne, but wisdom in the approach as well.

21. Name of Park: Sacajawea
    Location: North of Prescott on NE 75th and 76th Aves.
    Owner: City of Portland
    Chapter(s) Read: 2 Samuel 18
    Notes: Walked from bus route 71. So I wonder if Lady Sacajawea is turning over in her grave with the idea that the best the city of Portland could do is a tiny chunk of grass in NE Portland, primarily used as an off-leash dog recreation area? Park has mowed grass and a few small trees. King's rebellious son killed.

22. Name of Park: Saint Francis
    Location: north of Stark between SE 11th & 12th Aves, Portland
    Owner: Roman Catholic Church
    Chapter(s) Read: Romans 4
    Notes: Walked from local store, and left on bus. Park has small playground, benches, small trail, and a windmill contraption. I approached from an odd angle, and did not realize that the park is officially closed due to it having become a home for the homeless population. Nobody chased me out, however, but I saw the signs as I was leaving by a different route. It has a sad air to it, probably because it was designed to be a cheerful place, but has turned sad due to the lack of any children to play on its structures, or otherwise really enjoy being there, as its only visitors are those who have no other place to go. Romans 4 is a message of faith and its importance, as is most of that book.

23. Name of Park: Sunset Swim Center & Park
    Location: Science Park Drive west of Murray Blvd., near Cedar Hills
    Owner: Tualatin Hills P&R Dist.
    Chapter(s) Read: 2 Samuel 9
    Notes: Walked from bus #62. Nearly entirely a sports park. MAny small trees and other details, but basically purpose of park is its nmerous sports facilities. David doesn't forget the kindness of Jonathan from their youth.

24. Name of Park: Terra Linda
    Location: NW Pettygrove & approx. NW 139th, if the street went anywhere, Cedar Mill area
    Owner: Tualatin Hills P&R dist
    Chapter(s) Read: 2 Samuel 10
    Notes: Walked from Sunset Park. There is no through auto traffic allowed on NW 138th Ave, but it is possible to walk to the park around the gate that keeps the auto traffic at bay. basketball hoops, baseball, tenis, small playground, swing set, a few picnic tables, Trees on south side provide some shade, Remainder of park mostly open space with mowed grass. Water running sound in NW corner of park is from fountain in neighbor's yard, not from the creek that runs through there.

25. Name of Park: Untahnk
    Location: N. Shaver & Haight, Portland
    Owner: city of Portland
    Chapter(s) Read: 2 Samuel 7
    Notes: Arrived on bus 40 from Cathedral Park. Mostly open area for sports, but a few benches, basketball hoops, small playground. Does not have busy streets immediately nearby, and except for people noise is reasonably quiet. King David decides God's plan is better.

26. Name of Park: Waterhouse Open Space Park
    Location: North of Walker Road, approx. where NW 165th should be, if it existed here, Beaverton
    Owner: Tualatin Hills Parks & Recreatin ?
    Chapter(s) Read: 2 Samuel 13
    Notes: Walked from Howard M. Terpenning Complex, along Blueridge Drive. Vast open area of mowed grass, yet people don't seem to use it for sports much. Paved walkway along park creates trail network to other areas. Exists as part of power line right of way. Here, we see the results of the King not having justice in his own affairs..

27. Name of Park: Waterhouse Rose Garden
    Location: South of Blueridge Drive, led to by small sidewalk of a trail, approx. where NW 162nd would be if it existed here, Beaverton
    Owner: Tualatin Hills Parks & Recreatin ?
    Chapter(s) Read: Ps 137
    Notes: Walked from Waterhouse Open Space. Small Rose Garden is hidden away, but quite peaceful when neighborhood dogs are not barking. No busy roads within hearing distance. After the amount of injustice done, perhaps it is time to read a Psalm about how people feel after injustice is done? Perhaps this sense of betrayal is part of the reason why David had so many problems with control and rebels, as the people wanted to leave his leadership behind them.

28. Name of Park: Willamette
    Location: 12th Street & Willamette River, Willamette area of West Linn
    Owner: cit of West Linn
    Chapter(s) Read: 2 Samuel 2
    Notes: Arrived on bus #154, after trying without success to find a way into Swift Shore Park. Park has an open space for a lot of things, boat ramp, a few large trees, a horseshoe area, and frontage on the Willamette River. Relatively quiet. Busy street to west, but not as bad as many near parks, and possible to hear traffic from 99E on other side of river, but not extremely bad. This chapter shows a continuing problem: Saul has no real leadership, there are no prophets to guide the country now, and so the military is running things. This is not a good situation.

29. Name of Park: unidentified park
    Location: Aspen & Lee Streets, Lake Oswego
    Owner: City of Lake Oswego
    Chapter(s) Read: 2 Samuel 20
    Notes: Walked from Freepons Park. Mostly wild forest, but a large section of it is in the process of being turned into a water tank with landscaping around it. As the construction crews left nowhere to really access the park while working, read at the side of the road beside the park. Once water tank project is done park will probably have an excellent view of areas to the north, including downtown Portland. David makes the mistake of not reacting fast enough to the disappointment that the soldiers are feeling at their victory over the rebellion.