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Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Nicole Curcio, Public Relations
503-230-2644; ncurcio@rejuvenation.com
Rejuvenation and Neil Kelly
Donate to Peninsula Park
Neil Kelly and Rejuvenation mark joint anniversary with gift to historic Peninsula Park Rose Garden
Portland, Ore. (April 26, 2007) - This August, Portland Parks & Recreation (PP&R) will start a major preservation project at the 94-year old Peninsula Park Rose Garden in North Portland, funded in part by a $50,000 joint gift from Neil Kelly and Rejuvenation, two long-time Portland companies that share both a family and neighborhood heritage.
This much needed project will restore broken and aging masonry in the park's garden, known for its 100-year-old fountain, collection of nearly 9,000 roses and for its celebrated bandstand once used for World War I patriotic demonstrations.
The $50,000 gift to the Portland Parks Foundation will support the construction of two ramps leading up from the garden to the historically designated bandstand. The new construction will carefully preserve the historic integrity of the original brick and stonework of the park. One part of a multi-phase project, the ramps are anticipated to be completed by this October.
"Thanks to this generous gift," said Zari Santner, director of PP&R, "people with disabilities will be able to have, for the very first time, easy access up from the garden to the bandstand by means of these new ramps."
"Through our work with the Portland Parks Foundation," Santner adds, "we are able to leverage private dollars to the public's benefit. The improvements at this facility would not have been possible without this donation, and we are grateful for the support of companies such as Neil Kelly and Rejuvenation, who choose to reinvest in their community."
The gift was given in recognition of the 60th anniversary of Neil Kelly Co., a regional design/build remodeler, custom homes builder and home repair firm, and the 30th anniversary of Rejuvenation, a manufacturer and national direct marketer of authentic reproduction lighting and house parts.
It also honors Neil Kelly, who taught his eight children, including sons Tom and Jim, the importance of community service as they grew up and entered the business world. Tom Kelly is president of Neil Kelly Company; Jim Kelly is founder and CEO of Rejuvenation.
Rejuvenation and Neil Kelly employees will also donate their time and labor to the project through the companies' Day of Service programs. For these companies, giving back includes providing their employees with the opportunity to do the same.
"The Kelly family has long been involved in Portland's community life, especially in the North Portland neighborhoods. Our father Neil was passionate about seeing the Albina area revitalized." noted Tom Kelly. "So Jim and I see this joint grant as an appropriate way to both honor our roots and celebrate our two business anniversaries."
Jim Kelly added: "Rejuvenation's first store was on Albina Avenue, and I lived upstairs. And our first company picnic was at Peninsula Park. So this project excited both Tom and me - a gift that is an investment in the community's future, provides access to all and honors our architectural heritage."
Peninsula Park Rose Garden
The Peninsula Park Rose Garden is Portland's oldest public formal rose garden, with 8,900 plantings on a two-acre site. Completed in 1913, much remains of the original features, including the lantern-style streetlights, the stone pillars, vast brickwork and the nearly 100-year-old fountain in the center of the garden.
Upon entering the park from Ainsworth Street and Albina Avenue, visitors are greeted by magnificent plantings of 65 rose varieties which border the steps leading to the sunken rose garden, the only one in Oregon. The octagonal bandstand overlooking the rose garden was constructed in 1913. It was used for World War I patriotic demonstrations and is now the site for many summer weddings and concerts. This wonderful gazebo-like structure is a National Heritage historical structure and was designated a Portland Historic Landmark in 1973. It is the last of its kind in Portland.
About Rejuvenation
Rejuvenation was founded in 1977 with a passion for old houses and buildings. Today, Rejuvenation is America's largest manufacturer and leading direct marketer of authentic reproduction lighting and house parts. Rejuvenation products are sold through its catalogue and website as well as through its retail stores in Portland, Ore. and Seattle, Wash.
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