(Portland, OR) –
Portland Parks & Recreation announces improvements at Gateway Green are complete, with new paved and unpaved trails, greater accessibility to cyclists of all abilities, restrooms, drinking fountains, and more. Notably, Portland Parks & Recreation installed several new, inclusive features to better welcome cyclists of varying skill levels and physical abilities as they enjoy the park.
“Gateway Green is a truly unique park,” says Portland Parks Commissioner Amanda Fritz. “These improvements have enhanced natural habitat as well as providing more options for active and passive recreation. I’m glad Parks has continued to partner with Friends of Gateway Green and citywide off-road cycling enthusiasts to create this special place.”
Gateway Green now has:
- Improved trails and paths, including a new gravity-oriented mountain bike trail
- Habitat improvements and plantings
- An asphalt pump track nearly 600 feet in length
- Improved park utilities, including drinking water and restrooms.
The park now also features a playground and a grassy area for gathering and performances, once public health conditions permit such activities.
“With this project, Gateway Green has become a regional destination for people on bike and on foot,” says PP&R Director Adena Long. “The park will attract more families, riders of varying abilities, and provide a welcome community gathering space when health conditions permit. We thank the Friends of Gateway Green, Metro, and the NW Trail Alliance for their inspiring advocacy and their continued volunteer work.”
Gateway Green is a 25-acre Portland Parks & Recreation park at the confluence of I-84 and I-205. The new trail and features are funded by Parks System Development Charges (SDCs), not General Fund tax dollars. SDCs are one-time fees assessed on new development, ensuring that Portland's quality of life keeps pace with our growing and changing city by providing additional parks and recreation facilities needed to accommodate growth. In addition, $1 million comes from a Metro Nature in Neighborhoods grant.
“The reopening of Gateway Green is a bright spot in 2020,” said Metro Councilor Sam Chase, who represents North and Northeast Portland. “Metro is proud to have provided a significant Nature in Neighborhoods grant through the 2006 natural areas bond measure. The successful completion of this project embodies the ways that voter investments in parks and natural areas can help leverage enhanced economic and community outcomes.”
“It is delightful to see Gateway Green become an even more important and appealing part of East Portland’s public spaces,” says Paul Dickow, Chair of the Friends of Gateway Green board. “Gateway Green is finally the park we always dreamed it could be. This is a huge day for east Portland, Portland Parks, and off-road cyclists!"
Visitors to Gateway Green and all other public spaces must adhere to public health guidelines. These measures currently include wearing a face covering, maintaining at least 6 feet of distance between others at all times, and washing/sanitizing hands regularly and thoroughly. Find the latest information on PP&R COVID-19-related closures and cancellations at portland.gov/parks/covid-19-updates-closures-and-postponements.
Please do not ride on trails or elements which are saturated with water. Kindly choose another feature or come back on a drier day.
"Gateway Green will serve as the foundation for off-road cycling in Portland,” says Juntu Oberg, President of the Northwest Trail Alliance. “The excitement and enthusiasm from the mountain bike community surrounding the Phase 2 upgrades has been off the charts. Northwest Trail Alliance thanks Portland Parks & Recreation and the many partners for their commitment in creating a world-class destination. We look forward to offering new recreational programming that will serve the local community and beyond.”
Portland Parks & Recreation staff featured Project Manager Ross Swanson, who wishes to acknowledge East Zone Maintenance Supervisor Scott Domine, plus teammates Maya Agarwal and Jill Van Winkle spearheading signage and trail placement. Thanks to PP&R’s Barbara Hart for leading community engagement efforts. The PP&R Capital Projects Manager is Britta Herwig.
PP&R thanks our project partners and advocates, including the Friends of Gateway Green, Northwest Trail Alliance, C2 Recreation, The UnPavement Project, and Sasquatch Trails. Thank you to design consultants Greenworks PC, PBS Engineering & Environmental, and C2 Recreation (formerly Senteiros Recreation).
Portland Parks & Recreation contracted with Raimore Construction for this unique project. Raimore is a locally owned and operated minority contractor with a field staff of over 60% minorities and women, and a management staff of over 80% minorities and women. Design consultants were GreenWorks, PC and PBS Engineering & Environmental.
History of Gateway Green
Community leaders and advocates continue to be instrumental in the development of Gateway Green. A comprehensive, community-supported design to restore habitat, improve access, and enhance other recreational activities at the park was completed in 2018. Friends of Gateway Green (FoGG) and Northwest Trail Alliance (NWTA) are key community partners assisting with programing and helping with trail maintenance in the park.
In 2014, the Metro Council awarded FoGG a $1 million Nature in Neighborhoods capital grant, and Portland Parks & Recreation purchased the property from the Oregon Department of Transportation. The Gateway Green Vision Plan (2008) was developed through a two-year community-led effort funded by residents and advocates. The design for this off-road cycling and hiking park was shaped with the community in 2018.
###