Celebrating 2024 with Gratitude: A Sunday Parkways Update!
As we reflect on 2024, the Sunday Parkways team wants to send a big festive thank you to our community for making this an unforgettable event season! This year brought incredible milestones, both on and off the streets. Together, we celebrated the joy of walking, biking, and rolling in the city's largest public space—its streets—while strengthening community connections and advancing climate-friendly transportation in our everyday lives. To see all the highlights and successes of this year’s open streets events, be sure to check out the 2024 Sunday Parkways Annual Report.
In the spirit of growth and celebration, we’re excited to highlight our growing team! Alyssa, who has been with Sunday Parkways since 2022, stepped into the role of Sunday Parkways Program Manager this past June. And this month, we warmly welcome Serena, whose fresh perspective and enthusiasm is helping us gear up for an amazing 2025 season!
Portland Sunday Parkways is proud to be part of the Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT), which helps shape a livable city by making it easier for people to get around safely. As part of the Education and Encouragement Team within the Mobility and Safety Programs Division, we work alongside programs like Portland By Cycle and SmartTrips. Together, these initiatives inspire Portlanders to incorporate walking, biking, and rolling into their daily lives.
As we continue to promote healthy and sustainable ways to get around this winter season, we encourage you to keep the spirit of walking, biking, and rolling alive with some fun ideas:
💖Support Sunday Parkways:Donate to help us continue bringing these fun open street events to Portland neighborhoods. Your generous donation helps cover event costs such as permits, rentals, entertainment, signage, and staffing. Donations are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.
🎁 Give the Gift of Movement: Surprise a friend with a bike accessory, a cozy scarf for winter walks, or a TriMet holiday sweater. And don’t forget to support your local bike shops—they’re a great place to find gifts while supporting the businesses that keep our biking community thriving! Explore a list of Portland bike shops.
🎄 Explore Local Lights: Take a festive stroll or bike ride to enjoy holiday decorations. Check out the list of must-see holiday lights curated by Portland Monthly.
❄️ Stay Active Together: Join family and friends for outdoor winter fun such as ice skating, skiing, or snowshoeing! Listen to a City Cast Portland 2023 podcast about the best snowshoeing trails around Portland.
Transportation News & Resources
Oregon Leads the Nation in Walk & Roll to School Day
Oregon has claimed the top spot in the nation for participation in International Walk & Roll to School Day, with over 200 public K-8 schools across the state joining the annual event. This remarkable achievement makes Oregon the #1 state for school registrations, highlighting the commitment of students, families, and communities to safe, active, and healthy travel to school.
Metro Wins $1.1M for N Portland Walking School and Bike Buses!
Last month, the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) announced that Metro won a $1.1 million Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) grant for walking school and bike bus programs in N Portland. Project partners include Oregon Walks, Community Cycling Center, Portland State University, and Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT).
City's New Sustainability and Climate Commission is Now Accepting Applications
If you're passionate about building sustainability and resilience in our communities to address the climate crisis, then apply to be on the Sustainability and Climate Commission.Twenty Portlanders will be selected, including four youth seats (ages 16-24). Applications are due by Jan. 17.
People from every part of Portland are encouraged to share their voices on this committee, especially people who have not been involved before and those with lived experiences from climate change. Apply today if you want to serve your community and help our government make better choices!
In the Community
2025 Summer Free For All Applications Now Open!
Summer Free For All Cultural Events (SFFA) is gearing up for the Summer 2025 season of free cultural events in the parks. SFFA’s mission is to build community through free, inclusive, and family-friendly activities that celebrate Portland’s diverse cultures and local artists. Thinking about partnering with Summer Free For All to host a movie, concert, or other cultural event? Apply by January 13!
New Year's Eve Downtown
Ring in 2025 at Pioneer Courthouse Square! With live drone shows and a large-scale dance party, The Square will be the spot to ring in the New Year. The Square is proud to once again host a free community New Year’s Eve celebration in the heart of Downtown.
Oregon Finalizes Plans for Next Year's Recycling Overhaul
Oregon is on track to become the first state to launch a recycling program that holds businesses financially accountable for the packaging waste they produce.
Environmental regulators have completed administrative rules behind the program that rolls out in July, including what materials will be accepted in recycling bins across the state and how much producers need to pay based on the environmental impacts of their packaging.
Volunteer Spotlight
Name: Ellie Nurse-Hayes
How long have you volunteered with Sunday Parkways? Three years
What makes you want to volunteer at these events? Bikes! I love it.
Share an interesting fact about yourself: I’ve lived with bikes my whole life.
Mark Your Calendar
Peacock Lane
Dec. 15–31, 2024
6:00 p.m.–11:00 p.m.
SE Peacock Ln
Free
Since 1932, each house on Peacock Lane in Southeast Portland features creative light displays to bring festive joy to the holiday season.Mark your calendar for December 15 and 16 which are the car-free nights!
33rd Annual Tuba Christmas ConcertDecember 21, 2024
1:30 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Pioneer Courthouse Square
Free
Experience the sounds of big brass as over 200 tubas play in unison for the 33rd Annual Tuba Christmas Concert in Portland’s Living Room.
Menorah Lighting
Dec. 25, 2024–Jan. 2, 2025Days Vary
Pioneer Courthouse Square
Free
The Chabad of Oregon will light Portland’s Public Hanukkah menorah each night of Chanukah at dusk in Portland's Pioneer Square.
Waves of Unity - A Kwanzaa Celebration
December 28, 2024
11:30 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Center for ReEngagement
$9
A Kwanzaa celebrationhosted by Sabin CDC in partnership with the lively Nikki Brown Clownpromises an afternoon filled with joyful music, delicious food, and beautiful art.
Jobs & Professional Development
City of Portland
Mobility and Public Realm Innovation Division Manager, Portland Bureau of Transportation –closes December 16, 2024
Supervisor, Temporary Street Use Permitting, Portland Bureau of Transportation – closes December 16, 2024
Waste Policy and Program Coordinator, Portland Bureau of Planning and Sustainability – closes December 23, 2024
Engineer-Civil, Portland Bureau of Environmental Services – closes January 6, 2025
External
Senior Public Engagement and Title VI Specialist, Metro’s Planning, Development and Research Department – closes December 16, 2024
Safe Routes to School Coordinator, Centennial School District – open until filled
Stay in the Loop
Learn more details about the 2025 season by following us on social media!
To inquire about sponsorships, email us at portlandsundayparkways@portlandoregon.gov