Calendar and Weather allowed us to visit the blossoming cherry trees at the Tom McCall Waterfront Park twice this season. The first visit came when there was a break in the gloomy weather during spring holiday for the local schools, and we were joined by quite a few other Portlanders. The second visit a week later was a little past peak blossoms, and in between raindrops; but the space was almost empty of other visitors, and more contemplative than the party atmosphere the week before.
The Japanese American Historical Plaza on the waterfront was created in honor of the Japanese Americans sent to internment camps from their homes in the Northwest during Second World War II, and to commemorate Portland’s sister-city relationship with Sapporo, Japan, established in 1959. There are plaques and sculptures that reference these important matters, but for me, 100 cherry trees that draw folks together to experience the beauty and brevity of the changing seasons actually creates the affinity with the people and culture of Japan that this space intended. Of course, it’s Portland Style all the way on the waterfront. Nancy did a great job capturing that on her blog.
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