I believe there have always been sprinklers in Waterfront Park - at least in parts of it - I know that I have seen signs - and almost gotten wet - many times in past years.

I think they're just trying to reseed the grass that gets torn up every summer. It doesn't seem malicious or underhanded to me at all.

Come down and see these sprinklers. They're not your regular kind.

Yep, another shameless lie told to us by city officials. As one who has been involved in these issues for months, I can say this with a straight face. I have watched and photographed PPI's and Clean and Safes use of bullying tactics and running homeless people off, even though they are not supposed to, after store managers have called in a complaint. That is one reason I don't buy at Riteaid on 6th and Alder any longer.The city has continually promised needed services to the homeless population and yet to come through. However, they talk about spending money to condone and perpetuate an illegal activity. When will you stop listening to their half truths and see what goes on for yourself? Do we need more James Chaases, or just one of the so-called great ones to be hurt or killed before you see what is really going on? Or, should we call this ordinance for what it really is, Street Access for Everyone BUT the homeless and disadvantaged?

Here's a response to my five questions from Saltzman's staffer, Matthew Grumm:

1) PP&R Turf Maintenance staff. I know of no "new" sprinkler. There have
been sprinklers in Waterfront as long as I've lived in Portland (1997)
2) No
3) Waterfront Park is one of our most heavily used parks and regrowing the
turf after events like The Bite, Brewers Festival, Rose Festival, and Race
for the Cure is always a challenge. It is watered throughout the spring
summer and fall to keep some semblance of turf so folks are not having
festivals in a sand box (the base is actually all sand, much like a golf
course.)
4) PPI/Clean and Safe have nothing to do with Turf Maintenance operations.
5) Please contact PP&R Public Information Officer, Beth Sorenson, for all public records requests.

Will do, Matt. Thanks!

Oh, honestly, Matt. They work all year long to re-do the grass in Waterfront Park because all your Pepsico Corporate Village burbanites come in and tromp it all to shreds every summer. They try to re-establish the grass every fall.

Sometimes you come off as seriously paranoid.

Good.

I run through Waterfront Park every night and those signs have been up since the Rose Fest ended. If the city is trying to deter people from sleeping in the park it's not working. Take a walk through the park and count the number of people under the Burnside and Steel Bridges after 10:00 any night of the week. Both the police and the security guards that ride through there must leave them alone because they're all still there in the morning. I know you're trying to do right for those that are less fortunate, but in the end you always seem to hurt your own credibility by thinking everything's a conspiracy.

Becca: I ride through Waterfront Park every night and every morning. These particular sprinklers and signs are brand new, today. In-credible though it may seem.

have to agree with becca. those signs have been in that park off and on all summer long. i saw this post at work and went down there to check these new seven-head models out for myself half an hour ago. didnt notice anything different or see any signs of work done down there. i talked to two guys sleeping under the steel bridge by the bike path near a couple of the signs. both said the water doesnt reach to where they are sleeping and that the sprinklers dont turn on very often anyway, if the cops wanted the homeless out of there, wouldnt they just start enforcing the no camping in a park law? going throug all the trouble to install "powerful sprinklers" seems like it would be pointless. who sleeps in the grass when its raining?

Those signs are put up every year in the Fall as they rehab the turf after all the use it gets over the summer with festivals and such. They also go up right after some of the Festivals when they are trying to get the grass to grow back for the next use. Don't be so paranoid! Though now that I think of it, using the sprinklers to reclaim the park for good, tax paying people might not be a bad thing...just sayin.

Those signs are put up every year in the Fall as they rehab the turf after all the use it gets over the summer with festivals and such. They also go up right after some of the Festivals when they are trying to get the grass to grow back for the next use. Don't be so paranoid! Though now that I think of it, using the sprinklers to reclaim the park for good, tax paying people might not be a bad thing...just sayin.

have to agree with becca. those signs have been in that park off and on all summer long. i saw this post at work and went down there to check these new seven-head models out for myself half an hour ago. didnt notice anything different or see any signs of work done down there. i talked to two guys sleeping under the steel bridge by the bike path near a couple of the signs. both said the water doesnt reach to where they are sleeping and that the sprinklers dont turn on very often anyway, if the cops wanted the homeless out of there, wouldnt they just start enforcing the no camping in a park law? going throug all the trouble to install "powerful sprinklers" seems like it would be pointless. who sleeps in the grass when its raining?

Was Matt trying to do a post parodying himself? Because if so - awesome. If not? yoiks.

I WAS feeling paranoid. But that doesn't mean they're not out to get me.

And what's all this about "decent, tax paying people?"

Is the fact that it's raining outside necessarily a sign that city hall has a secret agreement with gahd to wash away all the homeless? Or do you think maybe it could just simply be raining?

"Don't sprinkle me, bro!"