Khunamokwst Park

Khunamokwst Park at Northeast 52nd Avenue and Northeast Alberta Street will open to the public April 23. It will be the first developed park in the Cully Neighborhood. (Courtesy Portland Parks & Recreation)

The first developed park in Northeast Portland's Cully neighborhood will open Friday morning.

The 2.4-acre Khunamokwst Park, at Northeast 52nd Avenue and Alberta Street, will serve about 1,500 families who don't have already have a park or natural area within a half-mile walk, according to Portland Parks & Recreation. Construction fences are scheduled to be removed around 8 a.m. Friday.

"Opening Khunamokwst Park brings us one step closer to bringing the kind of access to parks that our Cully neighbors deserve," Portland Parks Commissioner Amanda Fritz said in a news release. "Looking at this beautiful new park, it's easy to imagine generations of Portlanders having fun together here."

The Native American Community Advisory Council helped Portland Parks & Recreation name the park, according to a news release. Khunamokwst is a Chinook name meaning "together." (Listen to the pronunciation)

Park features include a traditional playground along with nature and water play areas, a picnic shelter, small skateboard park and paths for walking and jogging. Planning for the area began in 2012, and the project is estimated to have cost $2.5 million. Portland Parks & Recreation purchased the land in 2009.

Multiple groups included Hacienda Community Development Corporation, the Cully Association of Neighbors and the Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians were involved with park planning and development.

The city plans to hold a grand opening celebration for the park May 16 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

--Laura Frazier

lfrazier@oregonian.com

503-294-4035

@frazier_laura