People's Park Timeline
History of the Park
1969
Students of the University of California Berkeley disagree with administration over how best to use a plot of campus land known as Peoples Park. The students protest the seizure of the Park. A peaceful rally turns violent as students clash with police. Helicopters spray crowds with gas, and Governor Ronald Reagan calls in the National Guard to remove students from the park and enforce a city curfew.
1972
Students of Oregon State University unite to oppose the planned construction of a new parking lot on the site of the old administration building. Students cite the importance of having green space available for the public as a reason for opposing the lot. Plans for a new parking lot continue, though OSU administration agrees to use part of the land as a public green space. The land becomes known as the Peoples Park.
2002
Once again, controversy surrounds the use of the Peoples Park land as plans are introduced for the development of the new Kelley Engineering building. The new building would be built on top of the Peoples Park site at the NW corner of the intersection between Campus way and Memorial Place. A group of students called Peoples Park Coalition unite to oppose the removal of the park. Students attempt to raise public awareness of the importance of having green space as they state their position to OSU administration.
2002
Efforts of the Peoples Park Coalition fail to prevent destruction of the park. Plans for construction of the new Kelley Engineering building continue. Despite this setback, a compromise is reached when plans are announced to relocate the Peoples Park to the west side of Gilkey Hall at the SE corner of the intersection between Campus way and Memorial Place.
2003
ASOSU becomes involved with the development of the new park site. Responsibility is delegated to ASOSU Environmental Task Force Director Awbrey Willet. Students discuss which features they would like to see in the park, the purpose of the space, and how they will build the park. The college of Engineering donates $15000 to aid in the relocation process.
2004
Student group Friends of Peoples Park is created to carry on the mission started by ASOSU, to design and build the relocated park.
2006-Jan
After much student input, the project is passed on to Justin Fleming from Campus Recycling. Justin works with College of Business Professor Jack Drexler to incorporate the park planning into Drexlers BA352 class, Organizational Behavior. The students are divided into different groups; each group focuses on planning a different aspect of the park including:
- Topography and Drainage
- Benches, Lighting, and Wi-Fi
- Pathways and Bike Parking
- Plaza
- Native Plants
- Covered Area
2006-July
Justin Fleming hires student Eric Johnson as student project manager to integrate all past design input into a conceptual design plan. Johnson will also oversee the development of the park. OSU Sustainability Coordinator Brandon Trelstad agrees to continue working on the park project. Landscape Design Professor David Sandrock commits to working on the Peoples Park project.
2006-August
Students from the Landscape Club translate measured dimensions of the park into a digital format that will be used to create the design of the park.
2006-Fall
People’s Park website updated to provide more information to the OSU community. People’s Park sign is updated to include information for email and website addresses. Mulched path is installed on the west boundary of the park to improve site access. Two unhealthy trees are removed providing an opportunity for a new park entrance, and park plaza space. A third tree comes down during an extreme weather event. Plans are considered for the next generation of trees to be planted.
