(May 14, 2024) Get ready to walk, bike and roll on the open streets of East Portland as Portland Sunday Parkways, Presented by Kaiser Permanente, kicks off the first of three events on May 19 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Organized by the Portland Bureau of Transportation, this beloved free community event promises a day of fun-filled activities for all ages along a 3.3 mile route through Gateway Discovery Park, Ventura Park, and Lincoln Park.
"As a health care organization, we’re proud to partner with the City as the founding sponsor of Sunday Parkways 17 years ago, and provide fun, healthy and memorable experiences for our Portland communities,” said Wendy Watson, COO of Kaiser Permanente Northwest. "Sunday Parkways represents everything that is great about Portland. Friends and neighbors of all backgrounds interact in ways that may not happen otherwise, and people of all ages and abilities enjoy moving their bodies in a safe environment. Our sponsorship represents a commitment to promote civic pride, support local businesses, and encourage people-powered modes of transportation. All this leads to improved community health."
"With beautiful weather in the forecast this weekend, this will surely be a Sunday Parkways to remember," said Transportation Director Millicent Williams. "I can't wait to explore the new greenways, sidewalks, and speed bumps that PBOT has constructed and integrated into this year's East Portland route and dance along with the live music performances in the parks."
Traveling to and around East Portland Sunday Parkways
Heading to Sunday Parkways from outside the neighborhood? The following transit routes will bring you to the East Portland Sunday Parkways route:
- Red, Green, Blue MAX Lines, 15, 19, 22, 23, 24, 25, 87 – Gateway Transit Center Station
- Green MAX Line – SE Main Station
- Blue MAX Line – E 102nd, E 122nd, E 148th Stations
- FX2 – Division route
- 15 – SE Stark, 102nd route
- 20 – SE Stark route
- 25 – NE Glisan route
- 73 – 122nd route
- 74 – 162nd route
Need a bike? Free, unlimited 60-minute rides on BIKETOWN are available the day of the event. Rides must start or end on the Sunday Parkways route and end within the service area to be eligible. Please remember to lock the bike before the 60 minutes run out. You can then start another free trip up to 60 minutes.
Traveling by car? To accommodate the Sunday Parkways event, certain streets in East Portland will be closed to vehicular traffic from 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on May 19. Motorists are advised to plan alternate routes and expect delays in the affected areas. The event route’s intersections will have temporary barricades set up with volunteers available to help people get where they need to go.
The East Portland Sunday Parkways route features designated crossings for motorized vehicles during the event. Car traffic is permitted to cross the route from NE Glisan Street crossing at 108th Avenue, from East Burnside Street or SE Stark Street where they cross 113th Avenue, or from SE 122nd Avenue where it crosses Main and Salmon streets.
Participants can access the event route and view designated crossings for motorized vehicles by visiting the interactive Google Map at bit.ly/eastmap24.
For more information about East Portland Sunday Parkways, including route details and full event schedule, please visit www.portland.gov/sunday-parkways or contact the Portland Sunday Parkways team.
Fun for all at East Portland Sunday Parkways
Car-Free Streets: 3.3 miles of East Portland's streets will be transformed into car-free zones to provide a safe environment for people, whether they're new to or experienced with active transportation, to explore neighborhood greenways and visit the featured parks along the route including Gateway Discovery Park, Ventura Park, and Lincoln Park.
Family-Friendly Activities: From live music performances to an interactive community art mural, there will be something for everyone to enjoy during the event. Families can explore the joy of circus performance through physical and artistic expression with Circus Cascadia, enjoy games with Portland in the Streets, and much more.
Kaiser Permanente’s Sticker Hunt: During the event, Sunday Parkways Presenting Sponsor Kaiser Permanente will host the popular Sticker Hunt. Participants will win a prize by visiting the Kaiser Permanente booths at each park. Each booth will inspire participants to get their body moving while also having a load of fun!
Bike Programming: Participants can belt out their favorite tunes while riding the route with bike karaoke hosted by NakedHeartsPDX. Boom Bike PDX will serenade our open streets with performances by Larry Peace-Love Yes and Dan Kaufman on their pedal-powered mobile stage. Bike Play, a beloved Pedalpalooza favorite, invites participants to immerse themselves in their creative and entertaining performances! These diverse bike activities showcase the vibrant spirit of Portland's cycling culture.
Mobility Resources: Participants can take advantage of various active transportation resources to enhance their experience and ensure accessibility and convenience for all. With bike fleets and free 60-minute rides offered from BIKETOWN and Adaptive BIKETOWN, individuals can access bicycles suited to their preferences and needs. The Rose City Roller's Skatemobile will provide free skate rentals from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m., inviting roller enthusiasts to join in the festivities. TriMet’s Fan Van will be on-site for those interested in exploring transit resources. Lime will on-site for participants to learn more about their electric scooters.
Local Cuisine: Indulge in delicious treats from Portland's vibrant food scene at food carts stationed at each featured park's marketplace. Don't miss the opportunity to enjoy Portland's culinary delights from satisfying entrees to refreshing shaved ice and ice cream, along with snacks and sweets.
Community Engagement: Connect with local businesses, community organizations, and city agencies at each featured park’s marketplace, where you can discover exciting products, services, and initiatives. Engage in meaningful conversations, learn about programs and projects, and explore opportunities to get involved and positively impact the community.
Don't miss out on this opportunity to experience East Portland like never before! Grab your bike, lace up your sneakers, and join us for a day of outdoor adventure and community camaraderie at Portland Sunday Parkways.
About National Bike Month
May is recognized as National Bike Month across the United States, highlighting the benefits of cycling for personal health, environmental sustainability, and community engagement. Join us in celebrating this nationwide movement by participating in East Portland Sunday Parkways and embracing the joy of cycling.
About Portland Sunday Parkways
Portland Sunday Parkways presented by Kaiser Permanente is a Portland Bureau of Transportation program. Portland Sunday Parkways promotes healthy living, environmental awareness, and community engagement through a series of free open street events where Portlanders can explore active transportation by walking, biking, or rolling. For more information, visit www.portland.gov/sunday-parkways or call 311 / 503-823-4000.
Stay up to date on exciting updates and announcements! Follow us on Facebook at PortlandSundayParkways and on Instagram at PortlandSundayParkways.
About Kaiser Permanente
Kaiser Permanente is committed to helping shape the future of health care. We are recognized as one of America’s leading health care providers and nonprofit health plans. Founded in 1945, Kaiser Permanente has a mission to provide high-quality, affordable health care services and to improve the health of our members and the communities we serve. We currently serve 12.5 million members in 8 states and the District of Columbia. Care for members and patients is focused on their total health and guided by their personal Permanente Medical Group physicians, specialists, and team of caregivers. Our expert and caring medical teams are empowered and supported by industry-leading technology advances and tools for health promotion, disease prevention, state-of-the-art care delivery, and world-class chronic disease management. Kaiser Permanente is dedicated to care innovations, clinical research, health education, and the support of community health. For more information, go to about.kp.org.
Contact the Portland Sunday Parkways Team
Email: PortlandSundayParkways@portlandoregon.gov
Call: 311 or 503-823-4000