Project Goals
The Bureau of Environmental Services (BES) "Percent for Green" grant award will be used to pilot a tree planting in the curb zone project. The goal of this project is to develop a framework for tree planting in the curb zone, in collaboration with Portland Parks & Recreation Urban Forestry team, BES, and others, with the end goal of constructing tree space in the curb/parking zone. In transportation planning projects, there often isn’t sufficient right-of-way behind the curb, so expanding the furnishing zone into the parking zone may be the only option to get space for street trees.
Site Analysis and Implementation
The project is an early implementation project of the recently adopted Pedestrian Design Guide (PDG). One of the biggest things the project team heard from the public during the PDG process was the desire for innovative tree planting treatments. In preparation for the grant application, PBOT and Portland Parks & Recreation’s Urban Forestry staff conducted a citywide site analysis of potential corridors and are focusing the pilot on a cluster of streets in the Lents neighborhood. The site analysis looked at existing conditions of the corridors (such as the presence of on-street parking, lack of space for street trees, and location of underground and overhead utilities), as well as the urban heat index. Through this project, the project team will further analyze the potential sites for implementation, select the final sites, conduct neighborhood outreach to engage communities in the project areas, and construct the tree plantings in the curb zone.
The project aims to plant a few street trees per block along a corridor by repurposing on-street parking along corridors that currently do not have street trees or any space for street trees. Additionally, because trees can typically only be planted on one side of the street due to underground utility conflicts, the project will fund yard trees for the opposite side of the street, where street trees are not feasible. Project staff will work closely with adjacent property owners, residents, and businesses throughout the life of the project. Planning and engagement for this pilot project took place over 2022-23 and construction on Phase 1 is complete. Phase 2 will begin in 2025.
Policy Direction for this Project
The city’s Pedestrian Master Plan (PedPDX) (2019) and the Pedestrian Design Guide set the policy direction for PBOT and bureau partners to explore more innovative tree treatments. PedPDX includes Action 8.6, which calls for PBOT to update right-of-way design standards to provide sufficient room for trees and recommends “providing trees within the curb zone intermittent with on-street parking” as a potential strategy.
This pilot project will allow staff to work through the design and technical implications of this treatment. Once there is a proof of concept, it will be easier to implement in other parts of the city, by allowing PBOT to go after additional funding, as well as have clear design standards from city engineers for capital and development projects.
There are many benefits of trees, which are illustrated in this graphic:
Project Updates
November 2022- Pedestrian Advisory Committee Presentation: PowerPoint Presentation (portland.gov)
PHASE 1: After careful analysis, the project team has selected SE Duke Street from 82nd to 94th Avenues and 89th and 90th Avenues. There will be approximately 15 trees planted as part of this phase. Households along the corridor will also have the opportunity to receive free yard trees. Construction on Phase 1 is now complete. Urban Forestry contractors planted the trees in January 2025.
PHASE 2: Phase 2 is currently in design. Construction is anticipated for summer 2025. The conceptual map below shows the streets being considered for phase 2, including SE 87th near Lents Park, SE 96th, SE Steele and SE 101st, all near Lent Elementary School and Bloomington Park. Outreach with neighbors along these streets will begin in spring 2025.
Ownership & Maintenance of Pilot Project Trees
The trees planted as part of this pilot project with be owned and maintained by Portland Parks & Recreation Urban Forestry team. Typically, street trees are the maintenance responsibility of the adjacent property owner. However, as this is a pilot project, the project team worked together to figure out the best strategy for the ownership and maintenance of these trees. Properties along the project corridors will be given information on how to report any issues with these street trees.