(July 17, 2018) Today, Mayor Ted Wheeler joined Portland Bureau of Transportation Interim Director Chris Warner, Bureau of Planning and Sustainability Director Susan Anderson, Dan Field of Kaiser Permanente and Trail Blazers and Rose Quarter President & CEO Chris McGowan to celebrate the newest Sunday Parkways route. The new route, which will debut on Sunday, July 22, will take Portlanders along the future Green Loop. When completed, the Green Loop will be a six-mile pedestrian and cycling park that will connect the east and west neighborhoods of the Central City.
Sunday Parkways on the Green Loop follows the future alignment, connecting Downtown and the Inner Eastside. It will link popular locations such as the Rose Quarter, the Portland Art Museum, Portland State University and Tilikum Crossing as well as new additions like Sunday Splashways at Audrey McCall Beach.
"Sunday Parkways is a beloved celebration of Portland," Mayor Ted Wheeler said. "This Sunday, Portlanders will be able to enjoy some of the cultural treasures of our community, from the South Park Blocks to the Rose Quarter, as they learn about the Green Loop, which represents the future of the Central City. The Green Loop will support the growth of housing and jobs, linked by a green ring of parks where a new generation of Portlanders will walk, bike or roll, living like it's Sunday Parkways every day."
"Sunday Parkways is one of the jewels in the crown of a Portland Summer," said Interim Transportation Director Chris Warner, "Every summer, thousands of Portlanders come out to enjoy a Sunday of walking, biking and rolling with family and friends. It’s one of our most beloved events. And each year as we are planning it, we are always looking for new ways to celebrate our City and its streets. That is why we are so excited to debut this new route."
One of the highlights of Sunday Parkways on the Green Loop will be the Rose Quarter activity area. Visitors will get to enjoy a preview of the Portland Trail Blazers Rip City 3-on-3 Tournament, enjoy performances by the Blazer Dancers and the Trail Blazers Stunt Team, take photos with Trail Blazers mascot Blaze the Trail Cat and enjoy music throughout the day from the live music stage.
“The Rose Quarter welcomes Sunday Parkways and the Green Loop routing as an interactive stop for all residents enjoying the special community we have in Portland,” said Trail Blazers and Rose Quarter President & CEO Chris McGowan. “We’re excited to be a visible, engaging portion of what we hope becomes an annual citywide and family-friendly summertime event.”
“The Green Loop isn’t just for people living in the Central City,” said Susan Anderson, Bureau of Planning and Sustainability Director, during the Green Loop’s City Council hearing. "Residents, students, workers, tourists – people from all walks of life from all over the region will be able to enjoy the Green Loop. We’re excited to share this ‘sneak preview’ of the Green Loop with the community at Sunday Parkways this year."
"As an organization that is deeply committed to the health of our communities, we at Kaiser Permanente are especially excited about the vision for Portland's Green Loop," said Dan Field, Executive Director of Community Health and Public Affairs for Kaiser Permanente Northwest. "More trees, fresh air and a safer route to commute will inspire more physical activity, less pollution, and so many benefits that will have a direct impact on the mental and physical well-being of our citizens. As the presenting sponsor of Sunday Parkways for over a decade, we're a huge proponent of the Green Loop and we can’t wait to get a sneak peek on July 22.”
The Bureau of Planning and Sustainability, as well as many of its supporting partners including Go Lloyd, Albina Vision Trust and others will be available at Sunday Parkways to answer participants' questions about projects related to or adjacent to the Green Loop and to receive feedback.
Sunday's route will also feature the launch of the first ever river marketplace, Sunday Splashways, located at Audrey McCall Beach. Willie Levenson, Ringleader for the Human Access Project, and co-coordinator for the river side event is excited for its incorporation in the Sunday Parkways on the Green Loop event. “At 4,000 acres the Willamette River is our second largest open space and natural area. The Willamette River is the heart of our city and our cities blue space,” said Levenson.
There is a lot to see at Sunday Parkways on the Green Loop. Sticker Hunt participants who complete their Sticker Hunt maps will not only also receive a collectible neighborhood decal as a prize (Sunday Parkways on the Green Loop decal shown above) but will also be contributing to a good cause. For each map completed by a participant, Kaiser Permanente will make a $5 donation to one of three local mental health organizations. Collect stickers at five of the nine locations across the Sunday Parkways on the Green Loop route.
Save the Dates for Sunday Parkways 2018:
- New route! Green Loop (Downtown & Inner SE) Sunday Parkways - July 22
- Outer Northeast Portland Sunday Parkways - August 19
- Northeast Portland Sunday Parkways - September 23
For maps and more information, visit PortlandSundayParkways.org or call 503-823-7599. Follow us on Facebook at PortlandSundayParkways and on Twitter @Sunday Parkways.
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The Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT) is the steward of the City’s transportation system, and a community partner in shaping a livable city. We plan, build, manage and maintain an effective and safe transportation system that provides access and mobility. Learn more at www.portlandoregon.gov/transpor…