The New Gresham


Celebrating the unveiling of bronze Teddy Bear

Brand Story – The Gresham Area Chamber of Commerce and the City of Gresham are looking to be set apart from the pack: With easy access to the Portland International Airport, abundant outdoor-recreation activities, public art, and an Olympic size pool the city is poised to do just that.

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Although people tend to drive through Gresham after getting off an airplane or getting to another part of the metro area, there are many reasons that one might want to reconsider just driving through. Gresham has quite a bit of character and plenty of things to do. That’s part of what makes the city special. Just minutes from Portland International Airport, the city is a launching pad of sorts, says Lynn Snodgrass, CEO of the Gresham Area Chamber of Commerce.

july art festival kidsGresham’s ARTS festival

Outdoor-recreation activities, the people and the welcoming way the area makes you feel — these are all part of what makes the community exceptional and what the chamber seeks to highlight.

The city has many amenities and things to see and enjoy — like the only indoor/outdoor Olympic-size pool in the Pacific Northwest, proximity to the Gorge, Mt. Hood, fishing on the Sandy River, and a historic downtown full of charm, unique public art and ethnic restaurants.

driscol with artistThe artist poses with Driscoll, the bronze dog.

The historic downtown is home to more than half a dozen original bronze statuary pieces in a three-block area. “You don’t have to just go to the top of the butte to see the views — you can walk through downtown and see the unique public art we have on display,” says Snodgrass.  

blue statue with judyAdmiring the bronze heron, Blue

The Chamber Tourism Department has initiated a project called “The Gresham Edge,” aiming to promote that the only Olympic-size pool in the Pacific Northwest is located in Gresham, and encouraging swimmers to come check it out.

“Because it’s not a diving pool, we can facilitate competitive sports,” Snodgrass says. The pool is deep enough to accommodate many activities, like water polo, underwater hockey and racing. There’s also space for thousands of spectators to come watch events.

Water Polo 3Water polo at teh Gresham Edge

“The landscape of Gresham is remarkable. What once was the raspberry capital of the world is now a great place to raise a family, retire or own a business. We have seven buttes, one of which was just transformed into an incredible view/park — Hogan Butte Nature Park,” Snodgrass says. “The unique aspect of Gresham is that it becomes home easily. When you have a residence or business here, it feels like home.”

 


Brand stories are paid content articles that allow Oregon Business advertisers to share news about their organizations and engage with readers on business and public policy issues.  The stories are produced in house by the Oregon Business marketing department. For more information, contact associate publisher Courtney Kutzman.