The History

In late 2006, the government of Portland's Sister City Guadalajara, Mexico, awarded the people of Portland (via the PGSCA) with one acre of park land in Bosque Colomos, Guadalajara’s largest central-city park (www.bosquecolomos.org.mx) to create a “Garden Portland” or “Jardin Portland.” Greater Guadalajara’s prime walking, hiking, jogging and horseback-riding ground, Bosque Colomos is a treasured natural preserve inside a largely developed urban, metropolitan city, similar to our own Forest Park. 

After being gifted the land, the PGSCA sought to identify its best use, and the means of turning this vision of cultural exchange into reality. In February of 2007, a PGSCA delegation participated in a ceremony to formally accept the land and kick-off the Jardin Portland project. The group included Ron White of Probity Builders, who recognized this unique opportunity for lasting impact on both cities and offered to provide program and project management services to get the project off the ground. 

After the February visit, Ron recruited landscape architect Glendon Smith of Mainline Design, and facilitated numerous brainstorm sessions to craft a concept plan for the garden’s layout. In September of 2007, the plan was presented to stakeholders in Guadalajara to gain collaborative input, and in December of 2007 the PGSCA board approved the concept plan based on those changes. 

In February of 2008, the first period of Jardin construction was completed with the planting of the Phase One Rose Garden (click here to learn how you can support the care and feeding of these roses with our “Rose in Guadalajara” fundraiser). During this Portland delegation visit to Guadalajara – which included Mayor Tom Potter and more than 50 other representatives from Portland’s public and private sector - the group also gained approval of the Jardin's overall master plan. 

The project is made possible through the support of both cities’ governments, the Universidad Autónoma de Guadalajara, efforts of the PGSCA Board of Directors and volunteers and the generous donation of time and materials from dozens of Portland and Guadalajara-area businesses, organizations and individual supporters (a full Jardin sponsor and project team list is coming soon).  

The PGSCA extends it warmest thanks to the City of Guadalajara for its generous donation of the land for Jardin Portland, and to all of its current and future project partners. Jardin Portland demonstrates the outstanding dedication of both Guadalajara and Portland to fostering sister city relationships, and will provide an excellent blueprint for similar projects that have the potential of bringing cities and nations together to share in cultural, educational and economic exchange. 

Mission

The Portland Guadalajara Sister City Association's Jardin Portland is an educational, environmental and cultural resource dedicated to improving the public's understanding of Portland culture, lifestyle and environment.

Vision

As one of the most unique international projects of its kind, Jardin Portland brings together the people of Sister Cities Portland, Oregon, and Guadalajara, Mexico, to create a gathering place inside Bosque Colomos that will provide a global model for landscape design, environmental sustainability and exchange of cultural and tourism.

Values

Culture & International Exchange - While respecting local culture and Bosque Colomos, Jardin Portland shall encourage cultural and economic exchange while stimulating the development of goodwill, partnership and trade between Mexico and the United States.

Live-ability - Focusing on the Portland Metropolitan Area, Jardin Portland shall communicate the personality and live-ability of the region by presenting representative icons, flora, art and stories / history.

Green Building - "A better future, a better now" - Jardin Portland shall demonstrate sustainable "green" living with exhibits and experiences designed to increase awareness and promote environmental, social and economic health and harmony.

Education - Drawing from the established reputation of Bosque Colomos as a local learning center, Jardin Portland shall provide an educational resource on Oregon culture and industry with an emphasis on sustainable best practices and principles for improved lifestyles.

PGSCA - Seeking to serve as model for other sister cities, Jardin Portland shall promote the Portland Guadalajara Sister City Association (PGSCA) as an organization dedicated to creating and strengthening partnerships and fostering goodwill between the City of Portland and the City of Guadalajara .