Dorothea Lensch - Special Contribution

Dorothea Lensch was named Portland Parks and Recreation’s first Director of Recreation in 1937. She envisioned recreation programs that would change the lives of children by exposing them to the possibilities provided through the arts, sports and other recreational activities. She designed a Recreation Division that developed a comprehensive plan and program which served all neighborhood age levels in sports, physical activities, dance, music, arts, crafts and social recreation. During her tenure, the number of city facilities for parks and recreation increased from three to eighteen. Three major stadiums, ball fields, tennis courts and swimming pools were also added during this time. She developed an extensive recreation program for shipyard workers and their families during World War II. Dorothea retired in 1974 after 37 years, but remains an active supporter of children’s programs to this day.