Sunday Parkways worked with Som Subedi, PP&R’s Parks for New Portlanders program coordinator to plan the Walk with Refugees and Immigrants in August that brought out 1000+ people during the Outer Northeast Sunday Parkways event. Based on his amazing work, he was awarded with NRPA’s Park Champion of the Year Award for his advocacy on Capitol Hill and a Robert Phillips Regional Diversity Award given by the Northwest Public Employees Diversity Conference.

While attending the NRPA conference, Subedi said:

“This award belongs to all Portlanders, certainly not just me, because we earned it together. I want to thank Parks Commissioner Fritz and Director Abbaté for trusting in, and for mentoring, a refugee who is committed to equity and inclusion. I am very proud of the compassion, generosity, and welcoming hearts of Portlanders in general, and of Portland Parks & Recreation in particular. I’m only inspired to do more work on behalf of all of us who call the Rose City home.”

Congratulations, Som!

Learn more about Som Subedi and his work here.