npGREENWAY

Charlie Hales on the Willamette Greenway

2012-01-08T12:27:00.000-08:00

Mayoral candidate Charlie Hales' answers below are in response to questions sent to candidates running for office in the City of Portland or Metro 2012 elections. To see the original request click here. All responses from Charlie Hales are shown in there entirety:

1. Please explain your familiarity with the Willamette River Greenway Trail
between the Eastbank Esplanade and the Columbia River?

I was personally involved as Commissioner-in-Charge of Transportation and
Parks in the development of the Eastbank Esplanade, and I'm very proud of
that. I have been briefed on the current state of your effort and I find it
VERY exciting - I can't wait to help with the next chapter!

2. What experience do you possess in working with a railroad company
to procure use of or purchase of some property to place a multi-purpose
trail on?

While I served as Commissioner-in-Charge of Transportation, we worked at
length to secure the right to extend a waterfront trail connection across
the lower level of the Steel Bridge - it required a long and difficult
negotiation with the railroad, up to and including multiple trips to Omaha
by then PDOT Director Vic Rhodes.

While I served as Commissioner-in-Charge of Parks, Zari Santner and I helped
lead the development of the Springwater Corridor trail...this also required
extensive negotiation with Bob Samuels, the owner of the short line railroad
that operates alongside it.

I'm the only candidate running for Mayor with any local government
experience and this is precisely the kind of challenge that makes in-depth
local government, land use and transportation experience essential for
GETTING THINGS DONE while in office!

3. 'Taking' is a concern for both the government entity and the private
property owner when requiring the owner to construct a portion of a trail
when development is proposed. Would you be willing to work to develop
standards that would enable the trail to be constructed in exchange for
requiring fewer parking spaces?

...or anything else we can use in the negotiation, that maintains the
purpose and effect of our policies while "getting to yes" on expanding the
trail network.

4. What funding proposals would you propose to construct the trail?

I plan to propose some specific local funding tools for transportation in
the course of this campaign, since state and federal sources are constrained
and likely to continue in that condition, or worse.

5. If a bond measure were to be submitted to the public for trails
would you support the Willamette River Greenway Trail being one of the
trails to be constructed? If so, would you support construction of the
entire trail at one time or a portion or portions of the trail?

Yes! And as I mentioned in my Bike Portland interview (in which I mentioned
your specific project as an example), we need some compelling Big Idea
projects to inspire support for such a measure. I employed this samejavascript:void(0)
strategy in composing the first successful Parks Bond Measure in fifty
years: we included several spectacular new community centers in the mix of
projects...114 projects, mostly relatively modest improvements to
neighborhood parks, but three Big Ones to capture the imagination.

6. How can npGreenway assist you in getting the trail constructed?

You can help by informing your members about my passion for this agenda and
my eagerness to be your effective partner as the next Mayor of Portland! I
can help a little as a private citizen; I can help a LOT MORE if...with your
members' involvement and support...my campaign succeeds and I win this
election!

Contact information for Charlie Hales:
charliehalesformayor@gmail.com
www.charliehales.com
1220 SE Grand Avenue
Portland, OR 97214
campaign office: 503-567-9430

Thoughts from Candidates of the 2012 Election on the Greenway Trail

2012-01-08T11:49:00.000-08:00

The 2012 elections are not far off. There are a number of Council positions at the city of Portland, Mayor of Portland and Metro Council that are open and have drawn considerable interest. Of significance for the construction of the Willamette River Greenway Trail is how these candidates view the trail and what kind of support will they provide in seeing that it will get constructed. The npGreenway Core Group has not and does not intend on formulating a position on these candidates. We felt it most important for our followers and supporters to formulate their own positions based on information they can gather.

Accordingly, the npGreenway Core Group (Board) developed six questions that were emailed to each of the candidates below and asked them to respond to them. We offered to meet with them and some, at this writing, have taken us up on the offer. Included is an offer to tour the proposed route. We will post the responses as they are received.

Below are the questions along with the candidate’s responses.

Please explain your familiarity with the Willamette River Greenway Trail between the Eastbank Esplanade and the Columbia River?
What experience do you possess in working with a railroad company to procure use of or purchase of some property to place a multi-purpose trail on?
‘Taking’ is a concern for both the government entity and the private property owner when requiring the owner to construct a portion of a trail when development is proposed. Would you be willing to work to develop standards that would enable the trail to be constructed in exchange for requiring fewer parking spaces?
What funding proposals would you propose to construct the trail?
If a bond measure were to be submitted to the public for trails would you support the Willamette River Greenway Trail being one of the trails to be constructed? If so, would you support construction of the entire trail at one time or a portion or portions of the trail?
How can npGreenway assist you in getting the trail constructed?

Charlie Hales response

North Lombard Street – North Marine Drive re-opens after bridge construction

2011-11-30T20:33:00.000-08:00

From the Desk of PBOT:

TRAFFIC ADVISORY

North Lombard Street – North Marine Drive re-opens after bridge construction

(Portland, Ore.) – The Portland Bureau of Transportation advises the traveling public that the bridge which carries traffic on North Lombard Street over the Columbia Slough near Kelley Point Park has re-opened after an extended closure since mid-April for bridge deck replacement. The Columbia Slough Bridge is now open all hours, all days to all traffic.

The majority of the work to replace the deck, install the curb and upgrade the guardrails is complete. However, single lane closures will be necessary during daytime hours through the end of the year for structural steel sidewalk installation to connect pedestrian and bicycle traffic to existing trails on each side of the bridge.

The public is advised that Kelley Point Park will remain open with no restrictions for access due to the project.

The Columbia Slough Bridge deck was deteriorated and needed to be replaced. Signs of distress due to heavy freight traffic were evident in structural cracks that were visible in the old concrete deck and approach slabs. Failure to replace the deck would have resulted in weight restriction of the bridge, which would have limited traffic movement at the crossing.

The project included replacing the bridge deck to carry increasingly heavy freight loads and upgrading bridge rails to meet current safety standards. Additionally, the new cantilevered sidewalk for bicycle and pedestrian use will connect approximately nine miles of previously isolated off-street trails and increase pedestrian and bicycle safety and mobility in the area.

Waud Bluff Under Construction

2011-11-30T20:09:00.000-08:00

For those traveling through by car, bike or on foot please slow down around the construction zone at the top of the Waud Bluff trail on Willamette Blvd. Its going to be a bit of a tight squeeze for a few months. See the trail here http://g.co/maps/5fu85 along with an Oregonian article.

News of Waud Bluff and Baltimore Woods

2011-11-05T15:39:00.000-07:00

The Oregonian recently provided an overview of the upcoming work on the Waud Bluff trail. See it here:
http://www.oregonlive.com/portland/index.ssf/2011/10/waud_bluff_trail_starts_to_tak.html

The Portland Tribune wrote about an aquisition in Baltimore Woods:
http://www.portlandtribune.com/news/story.php?story_id=128262419782201200

Waud Bluff Trail Construction is Begining!

2011-09-22T11:45:00.000-07:00

npGreenway is excited to pass on this message from our friends at Portland Parks and Recreation:

Waud Bluff Trail – Construction to begin next week!

Congratulations! After many years of working through the complicated details of engineering, property ownership and easements, Portland Parks and Recreation will begin construction on the Waud Bluff Trail the week of September 19th. The Waud Bluff Trail will be closed beginning next week.

Swan Island will be accessible only via Going Street, a 3 mile detour (see attached map) through the fall of 2012. Staging for the project is on North Willamette Boulevard, and N. Harvard St.

This is a much-anticipated project that will provide a vital link between Willamette Boulevard and Swan Island. Upon completion, trail users will benefit from improved grading and a paved trail surface. New retaining walls will improve erosion control on the steep bluff, and a new bridge will allow users safer access over active Union Pacific railroad tracks onto Swan Island. Other benefits of the project include the addition of new, native plants on site and creation of a pedestrian island and crosswalk on Willamette Blvd. to address longstanding concerns about access to the trail and the Tri-Met bus stop

DETOUR:
Construction fencing is expected to go up the week of September 19. Once the project fencing is in place, access will be closed from Willamette Blvd. to Swan Island via the Waud Bluff trail for the duration of the project (Fall 2012).
Swan Island may be accessed via Going Street during construction(see attached map).

This trail project evolved from several previous planning efforts including the North Beach Study, the North Portland Willamette Greenway Feasibility Study and the Swan Island Trails Action Plan. As a result, City Council approved inclusion of this trail in the Transportation System Plan. MTIP (Metropolitan Transportation Improvement Project) funding of $1,175,376 (with $134,524 local match) was secured in 2005.

For further information or for questions about this project, please contact:
Susan Watt, Construction Manager, Portland Parks & Recreation
(503) 823-5593
susan.watt@portlandoregon.gov

Volunteers need for pedestrian and bicycle counts

2011-08-30T19:27:00.000-07:00

A Greetings From The City of Portland Pedestrian Advisory Committee:

We are still looking for volunteers to help with pedestrian and bicycle counts the week of September 12, 2011!

This is THE annual opportunity to conduct pedestrian counts. No volunteer, no count.

It is not too late to attend a volunteer training. Drop-ins to the volunteer training are allowed. But an RSVP is appreciated, so we have enough pizza!
Thursday, September 1st, 5:30-6:30 PM
Monday, September 12th, from noon to 1:00 PM.

If you did not attend the training last year, you need to attend the training and pick up the count packet.

If you are a return volunteer, please still contact Nick Falbo, so he can match volunteers with count locations and get you a packet.

Contact Nick Falbo directly to volunteer. See email below for more info.

RSVP to Local City of Portland Contact to Volunteer:
Nick Falbo, Transportation Planning Intern
503-823-9284
Nick.Falbo@portlandoregon.gov

Pier Park Bridge Progress Reported

2011-06-08T21:53:00.000-07:00

ODOT, Metro and Portland Parks & Recreation are collaborating on a new pedestrian/bike bridge that will connect Pier and Chimney Parks over the railroad gap. The bridge is a key connection in the 10.4 mile North Portland Greenway trail alignment. (See approximate bridge location 2.5MB PDF)

This project is federally funded through a transportation enhancement grant with a local match provided by Portland Parks & Recreation. Project budget is 1.7 million. The PPR local match portion is $220,000. Metro is the lead local agency on this project working closely with PER.

Construction is anticipated for Summer 2012.

David Evans & Associates has been hired to design the Chimney-Pier Park pedestrian bike bridge.
Survey work for the project has recently been completed.
The bridge will be approximately 110 feet long and 14 feet wide. It will cross over an active Union Pacific Railroad line.
Final location for the bridge should be decided in early July.
30% design of the bridge will be completed by end of August.
A public meeting will be scheduled in fall of 2011 to preview bridge location, bridge design and connections to existing and future greenway trail sections in the parks.

Volunteer Opportunity with npGreenway

2011-05-19T12:52:00.000-07:00

Sunday, May 22, 2011 from 11 am - 7 pm. Kenton Street Fair on Denver Avenue in "Downtown Kenton". The fair will center around Denver and Kilpatrick. Need volunteers to help staff our booth. Multiple 3-hour shifts available: 11-1, 1-4, and 4-7. Any amount of time someone could help would be appreciated. Help with setup at 9 am, and take-down at 7 would also be appreciated.

Interested? Contact Pam Arden at 503-708-4697 or pam_arden@hotmail.com

North Portland Greenway Trail Alignment Meeting

2011-05-18T19:53:00.000-07:00

Last week we heard from Portland Parks and Recreation. This bureau will be leading a multi-agency trail alignment project. Several more alignment meetings will be held over the next 18 months to dive into details on different segments. npGREENWAY will keep you informed about all upcoming events.

Latest Balitmore Woods Acquisition

2011-05-14T10:34:00.000-07:00

Take a look at the latest Baltimore Woods acquisition and some future concepts at Neighborhood Notes. BES, SOLV, and Depave will be looking for volunteers to rehabilitate the property later this summer. This is a good opportunity to finally get out of the all those stuffy greenway visioning meetings and do some real work for the trail.

Preview the North Portland Greenway Trail Alignment Project

2011-04-29T02:00:00.000-07:00

npGREENWAY invites you to a Preview of the

North Portland Greenway Trail Alignment Project

May 12, 6:30-8:00 PM at the Daimler Trucks North America

Corp 8, Corporation Conference Center

4555 N Channel Avenue, Swan Island

6:00 PM Come early for a guided walk of the Greenway Trail along Swan Island. Experience the feeling of a greenway trail along the eastside of the Willamette River.

Staff from the City of Portland and North Portland Neighborhood Services will be on hand to present the project scope of work and timeline. There will also be an update on Going to the River and Waud Bluff Trails.

Email npGREENWAY at info@npgreenway.org for more information

npGREENWAY Trail Ride Video

2010-11-10T10:07:00.000-08:00

Thanks to everyone who came out to our meeting on Monday night! For those of you that weren't there and would like to see the video we showed, click the link below:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D3zN1BkBJfg

Video Description:
"Join Scott Mizee, Jason Starman, two-dozen Pedalpalooza riders and filmmaker Dan Kaufman as they tour the existing and aspirational sections of the North Portland Greenway Trail. ;

We hope this video will inspire you to get involved in helping make the npGREENWAY a fully functioning multi-use path along the Willamette River from the Easbank Esplanade to Swan Island to St. John's and all the way to Kelley Point Park where the Columbia River meets the Willamette.

Find out more at http://www.npGREENWAY.org and get involved.

Watch the short version here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B6it-t...

Video and Original Music by Dan Kaufman of http://www.CrankMyChain.com . Special thanks to Jaime "Jay" Nava of Pirate Satellite TV http://pstvpdx.com"

OPEN HOUSE/ANNUAL MEETING

2010-10-22T20:47:00.000-07:00

Monday Nov 8, 2010

7:00 pm

Portland Water Pollution Lab

6543 N Burlington Ave (adjacent to Cathedral Park, below the St Johns Bridge)

npGreenway is a non-profit organization advocating for construction of a multipurpose trail along the east bank of the Willamette River from the Eastbank Esplanade to the Columbia River at Kelley Point Park

You’re invited to come view a video of the trail, learn about the status of the trail, let your thoughts be known on the trail and listen and discuss the compatibility of the trail with wildlife habitat in an urban setting with BOB SALLINGER, Conservation Director for the Audubon Society of Portland.

Refreshments will be available.

For more info visit our website at: www.npgreenway.org

Friends of Baltimore Woods and npGREENWAY Celebrate new Land Purchase

2010-08-27T08:27:00.000-07:00

We are excited to share this great news from our partner advocacy organization, Friends of Baltimore Woods!

----- Original Message -----
From: Barbara Quinn
Sent: Tue, 24 Aug 2010 01:33:36 -0000 (UTC)
Subject: FW: Metro, City of Portland purchase land to expand Willamette River Greenway

Great news just released to media! It's actually 6.34 acres. See 2nd map below:

Location of Baltimore Woods Connectivity Corridor

Map of land purchased for Baltimore Woods Connectivity Corridor

Metro press release

Contact: Laura Oppenheimer Odom, 503-797-1879 or laura.odom@oregonmetro.gov

For more information: www.oregonmetro.gov/naturalareas , www.oregonmetro.gov/capitalgrants, www.friendsofbaltimorewoods.org, www.npgreenway.org

Metro, City of Portland purchase land to expand Willamette River Greenway in North Portland

A 6-acre addition will help fill the gap between Cathedral and Pier parks

The walking, jogging and cycling path that links communities along the Willamette River will expand in North Portland, onto property that Metro and City of Portland Parks & Recreation and the Bureau of Environmental Services collaborated to purchase. A 6-acre addition to the Willamette River Greenway will allow the city to build more than one-third mile of trail north of the St. John's Bridge, at North Catlin Avenue and North Decatur Street.

Metro and the City purchased the land on Monday for $1.19 million, split equally among three sources: regional funds from Metro's voter-approved 2006 natural areas bond measure, the City's local allocation from the Metro bond measure and the City's Grey to Green initiative.

Metro and the City have made significant progress this summer in the Baltimore Woods Connectivity Corridor, the name community advocates gave a missing piece of the greenway between Cathedral and Pier parks. Less than half a mile from the new acquisition, the city recently purchased a cluster of three properties totaling one acre - supported by a combination of funding, including a grant from Metro's Nature in Neighborhoods program, the City's share of natural area bond funds and the City's Grey to Green program.

"By combining our energy and resources, the Metro Council, the City and community supporters are making a real difference for North Portland. Today's investments lay the groundwork for many wonderful walks and bike rides," said Metro Councilor Rex Burkholder, who represents District 5. He celebrated progress in the area on Saturday, at a community event hosted by Friends of Baltimore Woods.

"This acquisition is a win-win for the community," said City Parks Commissioner Nick Fish. "Through our partnership with Metro and BES, we've been able to preserve an important natural area and add a vital piece of the Willamette River Greenway trail. The timing is perfect, as Parks will be working with the community in the near future on a Master Plan for the entire trail."

Metro allotted about $445,000 in regional transportation funds for the City to plan a section of the greenway, from the Steel Bridge to the Columbia River Slough. There is not an exact timeline for construction, but the City anticipates moving forward in the Baltimore Woods area in the next few years.

City plans call for "re-greening" the new acquisition in conjunction with trail development - potentially restoring rare and valuable white oak habitat similar to that found elsewhere in the Baltimore Woods corridor. This habitat could support diverse wildlife such as the slender-billed nuthatch, Western wood-pewee and Western gray squirrel.

"I'm particularly pleased that this acquisition protects a stand of white oak trees and rare species of wildlife associated with oak woodland habitat," said Portland City Commissioner Dan Saltzman, who is in charge of the Bureau of Environmental Services. "This is a tremendous opportunity to preserve a portion of the oak woodland that was once so prevalent in the Willamette Valley,"

As the greenway expands through North Portland, it will serve residents and workers in the St. Johns town center, connecting them with central Portland and beyond.

"Metro touches on many parts of people's everyday lives, from how they get to work to where they play and how they connect with nature," said Metro Council President David Bragdon. "It's nice to pull those pieces together with projects like the Willamette River Greenway."

The Willamette River Greenway is one of 27 areas protected by Metro's natural areas bond measure, which was approved by voters in 2006. The program funds land acquisition and capital improvements that protect water quality and fish and wildlife habitat, enhance trails and wildlife corridors and provide greater connections to nature in urban areas throughout the Portland metropolitan area. For more information, visit www.oregonmetro.gov/naturalareas.

Turn Ramp Here

2010-07-17T08:49:00.001-07:00

2010-07-17 Will-Wabash-Bryant 045
Originally uploaded by npGREENWAY

Willamette Blvd is getting a new traffice control treatment where it intersects with two important North Portland Bike Blvds, Wabash and Bryant. As far as we know, this is one of a kind. We are excited to see it completed. Check out the photo set to see them all!

Created with Admarket's flickrSLiDR.

Visionary Voyage a big success!

2010-07-13T12:18:00.001-07:00

Policymakers Ride-16
Originally uploaded by BikePortland.org

Check out the photos that Jonathan Maus of BikePortland.org took:

Created with Admarket's flickrSLiDR.

Did you see the new multi-use-path on N. Lombard near Kelley Point Park/Marine Drive?

2010-06-17T08:49:00.001-07:00

New Pedestrian and Bicycle Path next to N. Lombard near Kelley Point Park/Marine Drive
Originally uploaded by npGREENWAY

Yay! More completion of the biking and walking network in North Portland!!!

3rd Annual npGREENWAY Pedalpalooza Ride!

2010-06-11T08:03:00.000-07:00

Come join us this Saturday, June 12th for the 3rd Annual npGREENWAY Pedalpalooza Bike Ride!

Click here to see it on the official Pedalpalooza Calendar.

This has been a fantastic event in the past and this year we have several added surprises in store for you! The forecast calls for beautiful weather!

We hope to see you there!

Created with Admarket's flickrSLiDR.

Waud Bluff Trail Temporarily Open until August or September

2010-05-30T19:25:00.001-07:00

Waud Bluff Trail Temporarily Open until August or September
Originally uploaded by npGREENWAY

Celebrate Great Blue Heron Week with Events around Portland

2010-05-21T11:01:00.001-07:00

Click the image to see the full calendar. npGREENWAY will be hosting a paddling trip along the trail on Thursday, June 3rd. Click here for more details.

1st Annual npGREENWAY Volunteer Bike Tour

2010-05-20T05:48:00.001-07:00

Video of Existing Trail on Swan Island 1
Originally uploaded by npGREENWAY

Thanks to everyone for coming out to the bicycle tour for prospective volunteers! We had a nice break in the weather and even caught a rainbow or two! Hope to see more of you there next year!

On the right there is a short video of some of the existing trail on Swan Island. You can also view a slideshow of the photos below:

Created with Admarket's flickrSLiDR.

Updated: Breakfast on the Bridge with Swan Island TMA

2010-05-19T08:57:00.001-07:00

npGREENWAY Board [partial]
Originally uploaded by npGREENWAY

Thanks to everyone who showed up this morning to celebrate with us on the N Going Street Bridge to Swan Island. The Swan Island TMA hosted this event and is doing a great job of increasing active transportation to and from "the island."

There was a great turn out and lots of delicious baklava and coffee was enjoyed by all.

Thanks to the following businesses for their generous support!
Coffee was donated by Krakow Cafe & Pub

Baklava and other pastries donated by Anna's Island Cafe

More amateur photos of the morning can be found here:
(slide show) (individual photos)

See you all next time!!!!

Professional Photo Slideshow below by Jonathan Maus of BikePortland.org

Created with Admarket's flickrSLiDR.

Join Us for a Paddle June 3rd

2010-05-18T16:08:00.000-07:00

June 3, (Thurs.), North Reach Willamette River Paddle 4:30 pm-6:30 pm.

Join Bob Sallinger and Jim Labbe with Audubon Society of Portland and Francie Royce and Scott Mizee with npGreenway on a leisurely Paddle in the Portland Harbor and learn about the past, present and future of the North Reach of the Willamette River. We'll discuss the recent the adoption of the North Reach Plan, the implications for natural resource restoration and progress for the North Portland Greenway Trail, and how people can get involved.

You are responsible for bringing and maintaining your own kayak/canoe.

Canoe and kayak rentals can be arranged through Alder Creek
Kayak & Canoe (www.aldercreek.com, 503-285-0464) or Portland Kayak Company
(www.portlandrivercompany.com, 503-459-4050). Life jackets are
absolutely required.

Directions: Meet and be ready to paddle at 4:30pm at the Swan Island Boat
Ramp located on Swan Island. Take North Going to Swan Island and turn
right on N. Basin Ave at the bottom of the hill across from the McDonalds.
Go 0.6 miles on Basin Ave to the Swan Island Boat Ramp located on the
left.

no 44 || 1st Annual Volunteers Tour | Breakfast on Swan Island Bridge and more... npGREENWAY

2010-05-18T07:43:00.001-07:00

npGREENWAY Newsletter

North Portland Greenway Trail Advocacy
2010 May 18 Issue no 044

Reminder:
First Annual
North Portland Willamette Greenway
Volunteers' Bicycle Tour

May 19, Wednesday 5:30 pm - 8:30 pm

Join us for an "on the ground, first hand" tour of the future North Portland Greenway Trail alignment. We want as many people as possible to join us for this event--especially those who are interested in volunteering to further the project and get it built!

We will meet at the northern terminus of the Eastbank Esplanade where it crosses the railroad. Although the terrain is mostly easy to navigate, there are some rough, rocky surfaces so mountain bikes and/or knobby tires strongly encouraged.

We hope to see you there!

Breakfast on the Bridge:
Swan Island N Going Street Bridge

May 19, Wednesday 7:00 am - 9:00 am

Celebrate Bike to Work Month on the Northside! Coffee, treats, maps and more. Meet us where Going Street passes over the Union Pacific Railroad just after it passes under N Greeley Ave on the way to Swan Island.

More details available here.

Willamette Cove Plan is available

The Willamette Cove Trail Alignment Refinement Report is complete. The report was funded by Metro, Portland Parks & Recreation and npGREENWAY. It provides the following information:

details of the history of Willamette Cove
brief descriptions of present and future clean-up
discussion of plans for the site and zoning
identification of a trail alignment, design recommendations and cost estimates

The report is available at http://bit.ly/npg_WC and identifies three specific actions that need completing before the trail can move forward. Task 1 involves completing the cleanup of the upland portions of the site. Task 2 calls for any necessary site restoration. Finally, Task 3 includes trail plan refinement and regional trail construction.

The cover letter and report are also available here:

Willamette Cove Trail Cover Letter to Elected Officials

Willamette Cove Trail Alignment Plan

University of Portland Engineering Students Finish the year with
North Portland Greenway Trail Design Recommendations

To read the complete article and see a slide show of the students' work, click here.

Two students also presented their work to the University Park Neighborhood Association at the April Meeting. It was great to see students and neighbors interacting in a positive way!

North Reach Paddle
June 3, Thursday 4:30 pm - 6:30 pm
Part of Great Blue Heron Week
Join Bob Sallinger and Jim Labbe with Audubon Society of Portland and Francie Royce and Scott Mizée with npGREENWAY on a leisurely Paddle in the Portland Harbor and learn about the past, present and future of the North Reach of the Willamette River. We'll discuss the recent the adoption of the North Reach River Plan, the implications for natural resource restoration and progress for the North Portland Greenway, and how people can get involved.

You are responsible for bringing and maintaining your own kayak/canoe. Canoe and kayak
rentals can be arranged through Alder Creek Kayak & Canoe (www.aldercreek.com, 503-285-0464) or Portland Kayak Company (www.portlandrivercompany.com, 503-459-4050). Life jackets are absolutely required.
Directions and other details will be mailed to registrants.

Kenton Street Fair
May 22, Saturday 10:00 am - 6:00 pm

For more information visit the Kenton Street Fair Facebook Page.

Pedalpalooza Bike Ride
June 12, Saturday 3:00 pm more details...

Friends of Baltimore Woods Open House
June 12, Saturday 1:00 - 4:00 pm
FOBW is inviting all neighbors to come down and take a look at enlarged maps and photos while chatting with friends and neighbors about Baltimore Woods.

npGREENWAY Speaker at Peninsula Kiwanis Club
June 23, 12:00 pm

Sunday Parkways North Portland
June 27, 10 am - 3 pm
For the 3rd year in a row, npGREENWAY will have an information booth set up at N Willamette and N Jessup near the "Overlook Bowl".

Check the npGREENWAY calendar and blog for more upcoming events!

Sharrow!

2010-05-12T12:21:00.001-07:00

Sharrow!
Originally uploaded by npGREENWAY

Fun times on the way to the St Johns Parade + Bizarre.

Update: slide show | U of P Engineering Students Present Trail Design Recommendations

2010-05-12T12:00:00.000-07:00

Seven senior engineering students at the University of Portland took on designing sections of the North Portland Willamette Greenway for their senior project. They made their professional presentations to their professors, Drs. Male and Kennedy and other classmates April 19th. Some npGreenwayers were there too, as the students presented their research and design recommendations. The two sections they studied were the intersection of Waud Bluff Trail at the street level of Willamette Boulevard, and the North Portland Willamette Greenway Trail as it goes around the toe or bottom of Waud Bluff, near the rail road tracks.

The Waud Bluff Trail will provide access from North Portland neighborhoods to Swan Island and the future North Portland Willamette Greenway Trail. It is being designed by W & H Pacific, and construction is expected to begin later this summer, according to the PP&R project manager. The trail will follow an existing “made trail” down the bluff and cross the rail road tracks at the Swan Island level with a bridge. Design work shows a bus stop being moved at the top of the bluff to align with the new trail head. U of P students took design work further by coming up with some ideas for a pedestrian crossing at N Olin, N Harvard and N Willamette Boulevard.

The section of the North Portland Willamette Greenway Trail that goes around the bottom or toe of Waud Bluff up through the Baxter McCormick property, now owned by the University of Portland, was the second part of the student’s work. They tested soils, walked the future trail and recommend the trail to be cantilevered off the hillside above the tracks.

Thanks to all of the students, Jacilyn Hayden, Jessica Hamilton, Jordan Foster, Stephanie Turner, Eliot Sluyter, Alex Motz, Colton Coughlin and Megan Karner! npGreenway appreciates your work. And, a special thanks to professors Male and Kennedy for agreeing to offer their students this challenging project.

Click on the image to see the students presentation slide show:

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

Part 4

Part 5

Come See npGREENWAY at the St Johns Bizarre & Parade today!

2010-05-08T06:40:00.001-07:00

050909 StJohnsParade 005
Originally uploaded by npGREENWAY

This was a fantastic event last year and it is shaping up to be another one this year! Today from 10:00am to 6:00pm in St Johns.

Learn more about npGREENWAY and the North Willamette Greenway Trail. Find out how you can plug in and volunteer. See what's happened in the last year and whats planned for the next year!

Overlook Clean Up Today!

2010-04-24T07:30:00.000-07:00

Saturday, April 24, 10am to Noon.
Co-sponsored by the Water Bureau and Peninsula Children's Center.
Meeting at the new
Pittmon Addition HyrdoPark
at the north end of the Concord bike/ped bridge.

Contact Alan Cranna for more details:
503-285-7944 or ascran3@hotmail.com

Some of us will be working on litter, debris and weeds along the Going Street Sidewalk aka Going Green, the only legal bike/ped access to Swan Island.

NW Trail Alliance Kicks off Portland Trail Fest!

2010-04-23T14:30:00.001-07:00

We had a great time at the kick off for the Portland Trail Fest. They bill it as a four day long celebration of Trails, knobbies and the planet.

We refer you to the BikePortland article for the details.

...and our twitter feed for a few posts made live from the event.

Also, check out this survey on trails that can be found here.

_____________________________________________

Today! Peninsula Crossing Trail Annual SOLV-IT Cleanup Day

2010-04-17T23:27:00.000-07:00

Saturday, April 17th, 2010
9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Meet at the Fessenden Trailhead
(on Fessenden between the RR cut and Wall)

Join the
Friends of the Peninsula Crossing Trail and
Portland Parks & Recreation
as we cut blackberries and ivy, and pick-up litter.
Meet your neighbors and bring your friends!

Dress accordingly - bring work gloves if possible, though some will be provided. Some tools will be available. We’ll make a difference, rain or shine!

Please register at www.solv.org at the Peninsula Crossing project site.
This will give us a better idea of how many are coming – for tools and food.

For more information, please contact
Pam Arden at pam_arden@hotmail.com 503-708-4697
Louise Shorr at louise.shorr@portlandoregon.gov 503-823-6131

First Annual npGREENWAY Volunteers' Tour

2010-04-13T05:04:00.001-07:00

Come to the "First Annual npGREENWAY Volunteers' Tour" on Wednesday, May 19 at 5:30pm.

Event: First Annual npGREENWAY Volunteers' Tour
What: Group Trip
Start Time: Wednesday, May 19 at 5:30pm
End Time: Wednesday, May 19 at 8:30pm
Where: 45.527991, -122.667236

To see more details and RSVP, follow the link below:
http://www.facebook.com/p.php?i=1048696561&k=Z6AT6WQ5S6TF6BD1Q1V4URTRVPIB4Z5ERUBUC&oid=114887655205029

EVENT: Intertwine Alliance Spring Meeting and Release of Bi-State Trail Plan

2010-04-08T10:04:00.000-07:00

Please Share With Other Parks, Trails, and Natural Area Supporters

Why should you attend?

1). We will be unveiling the first ever Bi-State Trail Plan
2). You will receive a copy of the first ever Annual Report of The Intertwine Alliance outlining recent successes and projects for the coming year
3). There will be a guided walk on the Columbia River Trail to Maya Lin's Land Bridge and Officer's Row from 2:30 to 3:30, following the 1 pm to 2:30 pm Intertwine Alliance meeting

As you may already know, The Intertwine Alliance is the new and permanent name for what was the Connecting Green Alliance. The Alliance's mission is to create the world's greatest system of parks, trails, and natural areas in the Portland-Vancouver metropolitan region.

The Alliance (www.theintertwine.org) is a coalition of nonprofits (Including npGREENWAY,) government agencies, and private businesses working collaboratively in five Alliance initiatives: 1). Acquiring new park land and natural areas and building the regional bi-state trail network; 2). Conservation through creation of a regional biodiversity conservation plan and restoring the region's natural areas; 3). Conservation education; 4). Defining the System of parks, trails, and natural areas with local park providers, Metro, and state and federal land owners; and 5). Active Transportation Planning

You are invited to attend two important events this Friday:

Quarterly Trails Meeting, 10 am to Noon, Hilton Hotel, Downtown Vancouver, Washington 701 Southeast Columbia Shores Boulevard

The Intertwine Alliance Spring Meeting, 1 pm to 3:30 pm Wallis Engineering, 214 W. 4th Street Vancouver, Washington

1:00 pm to 2:30 pm Check in, socialize and enjoy light refreshments Review the new Bi‐State Regional Trails System Plan Hear updates of The Intertwine Alliance– restoration, regional system, active transportation, conservation and education, acquisition.

2:30 ‐ 3:30 Enjoy a 5K guided walk of the Discovery Historic Loop Trail in Downtown Vancouver: Renaissance Trail on the Columbia River, Maya Lin’s Land Bridge, Fort Vancouver and Officers’ Row.

Please RSVP to csulaski@TheIntertwine.org * Bike corral parking and on‐street auto parking available.

Go to http://www.walliseng.net/contact for directions.

npGREENWAY on the KBOO Bike Show

2010-04-06T12:40:00.000-07:00

npGREENWAY Co-Chairs Francie Royce and Scott Mizée will be on the radio giving folks an update on the trail. See below for details.

From PortlandTransport.com:
The North Portland Greenway (aka npGREENWAY) project seeks to create an off-street trail from St. Johns to downtown, much of it overlooking the river. Learn more about the project on tomorrow's show.

11AM-Noon, Wednesday, April 7th
KBOO FM 90.7
Streamed live at KBOO.fm
Podcast here later that day

.

Happy Trails Update from Portland Parks

2010-04-02T14:12:00.001-07:00

River Plan 2nd City Council Hearing Today

2010-04-01T06:52:00.000-07:00

R I V E R P L A N N E W S
March 31, 2010
Planning for the Willamette Riverfront
City of Portland | Bureau of Planning and Sustainability

IN THIS ISSUE

1. REMINDER - City Council Hearing Tomorrow!

2. Call for Nominations to the Science Panel

3. Staff Responses to Council Testimony

1. REMINDER - City Council Hearing Tomorrow!

The River Plan / North Reach is back on the City Council agenda on April 1, 2010 at 2 pm. View and download documents related to the agenda items at the City Council Documents webpage.

Please submit written testimony to:

Council Clerk

1221 SW 4th Avenue, Room 140

Portland, OR 97204

Fax: (503) 823-4571

Email: kmoore-love@ci.portland.or.us

Written testimony must be received by the hearing date.

Because this is the second time that Council will hear testimony on these items and there are other items on the Council agenda following the River Plan, the Mayor is encouraging commenters to be succinct and limit testimony to topics that Council has not already considered.

2. Call for Nominations to a Science Panel

The City of Portland is seeking nominations for a science panel to conduct a peer review of the science behind the models proposed for use by the City of Portland in the North Reach. The process will be very technical, so the City is particularly encouraging academics and independent or non-regulatory agency or tribal scientists to apply. Applications are due April 23, 2010. Please see the attached announcement for more information.

3. Staff Responses to Council Testimony

Staff has reviewed and responded to testimony submitted to City Council for the December 16 Town Hall meeting and for the February 17 public hearing. View the comments and responses at this link.

Where can I get more information? For more assistance or additional information, please contact the River Team at (503) 823-2281 or riverplan@ci.portland.or.us.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

To SIGN UP for these River Plan News alerts, please visit http://www.portlandonline.com/bps/riverplan and click on “stay informed” or send an email request to the River Team at riverplan@ci.portland.or.us.

City of Portland, Oregon
Bureau of Planning and Sustainability
1900 SW 4th Ave., Suite 7000
Portland, Oregon 97201-5350
Telephone: 503-823-7700
Fax: 503-823-7800
TTY: 503-823-6868
riverplan@ci.portland.or.us
http://www.portlandonline.com/bps/riverplan

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Next River Plan City Council Hearing Agenda Items

2010-03-25T22:00:00.000-07:00

R I V E R P L A N N E W S
March 25, 2010
Planning for the Willamette Riverfront
City of Portland | Bureau of Planning and Sustainability

IN THIS ISSUE

The River Plan / North Reach is back on the City Council agenda on April 1, 2010 at 2 pm. They will hear the following four items (view and download related documents at the City Council Documents webpage): http://www.portlandonline.com/bps/index.cfm?c=52163

o Amendments to the River Plan / North Reach (Co-Sponsored by Mayor Adams and Commissioner Fritz). These are amendments to the River Plan / North Reach Volumes 1A, 1B and 3C. The amendments were first released in February. Changes to the February version are highlighted.

o A substitute resolution that directs the Bureau of Planning and Sustainability to return to City Council for a hearing on specific items in Fall 2010. (Co-Sponsored by Mayor Adams and Commissioner Fritz)

o Amendments to the Memorandum of Understanding between Siltronic and City of Portland. (Sponsored by Mayor Adams.)

o A resolution directing the Bureau of Planning and Sustainability to negotiate a development agreement with the University of Portland for consideration by City Council. (Co-Sponsored by Mayor Adams and Commissioner Fish)

These items are summarized in the Mayor’s letter to the Commissioners.

The hearings will be held on April 1, 2010 at 2:00 pm at City Hall, 1221 SW 4th Avenue, in Council Chambers. Please submit written testimony to:

Council Clerk
1221 SW 4th Avenue, Room 140
Portland, OR 97204
Fax: (503) 823-4571
Email: kmoore-love@ci.portland.or.us

Written testimony must be received by the hearing date.

Copies are available at no charge at the Portland Bureau of Planning and Sustainability, 1900 SW 4th Avenue, 7th Floor. The documents can also be viewed at the River Plan website on the Recommended Draft webpage.

Where can I get more information? For more assistance or additional information, please contact the River Team at (503) 823-2281 or riverplan@ci.portland.or.us.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Was this message forwarded to you?

To SIGN UP for these River Plan News alerts, please visit http://www.portlandonline.com/bps/riverplan and click on “stay informed” or send an email request to the River Team at riverplan@ci.portland.or.us.

City of Portland, Oregon
Bureau of Planning and Sustainability
1900 SW 4th Ave., Suite 7000
Portland, Oregon 97201-5350
Telephone: 503-823-7700
Fax: 503-823-7800
TTY: 503-823-6868
riverplan@ci.portland.or.us
http://www.portlandonline.com/bps/riverplan

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Baltimore Woods leaps forward with funding from Nature in the Neighborhoods Grant

2010-03-20T09:17:00.000-07:00

March 19, 2010

Dear npGreenway and 40-Mile Loop partners,
It was a very heartening moment as the Metro councilors voted one by one unanimously to support the Nature in Neighborhoods grant for 4 Baltimore Woods property acquisitions! It was one of 5 projects chosen in the Metro area. I know it’s not a part of Robert’s Rules to jump up and down but...

Below is an interesting article on trail as well as woods developments:

http://www.portlandsentinel.com/node/6031

Pretty exciting! Talk to you soon,
Barbara Quinn, Friends of Baltimore Woods (FOBW)
http://www.friendsofbaltimorewoods.com/

...

Support River Plan at City Council Meeting

2010-01-24T19:55:00.000-08:00

Update 1/25/2010
City Council Meeting Rescheduled

FROM THE 1/21/2010 EDITION of the RIVER PLAN NEWS

1. City Council Public Hearing Rescheduled for February 17
The City Council public hearing on the River Plan / North Reach Recommended Draft that was scheduled for Thursday, January 28, 2010 at 2:00 pm has been postponed. The hearing has been rescheduled for Wednesday, February 17, 2010 at 6:00 pm. The hearing will be held at City Hall, 1221 SW 4th Avenue, in Council Chambers. Please submit written testimony to:

Council Clerk
1221 SW 4th Avenue, Room 140
Portland, OR 97204
Fax: (503) 823-4571
Email: kmoore-love@ci.portland.or.us

Written testimony on the document and the Mayor’s proposed amendments must be received by the hearing date.

Copies of the Draft Plan are available at no charge at the Portland Bureau of Planning and Sustainability, 1900 SW 4th Ave 7th Floor. The documents can also be viewed at the river plan website on the Recommended Draft webpage. The Mayor’s proposed amendment package is expected to be available two weeks before the public hearing.

Where can I get more information? For more assistance or additional information, please contact the River Team at (503) 823-2281 or riverplan@ci.portland.or.us.

2. December Town Hall with Mayor Adams and Commissioner Fritz
Mayor Adams and Commissioner Fritz hosted a Town Hall on December 16, 2009 to hear community feedback about the River Plan / North Reach Recommended Draft. Over 150 people attended the town hall expressing both support and concern about the recommended draft. Click here to review the written and oral comments submitted for the Town Hall.

ORIGINAL POST 1/6/2010

An important City Council Meeting is coming up at the end of this month. Support is needed from trail advocates across the city. We urge you to attend the meeting at City Hall, testify or send a support letter. In the link below, you will find a 'model' letter for your use in writing to City Council for the Thursday 28 January 2010 2pm Hearing on the River Plan.

The following is an excerpt from the word document linked below:

Dear Mayor and City Commissioners,
We request that the Portland City Council adopt the Willamette River Greenway Tail alignment as envisioned in the River Plan North Reach Recommended Draft November 2009 now. It will become a vital and necessary link in the regional trail and transportation system (that includes the 40-Mile Loop Trail, the Eastbank Esplanade, Springwater Trail and others). To date, the North Portland segment represents a major gap in the Regional network. The Willamette River Greenway Trail is a piece of infrastructure connecting residents with jobs on the working waterfront while also affording a connection to the rest of the city.

We would also request that no mitigation sites be designated in areas where the trail is to be located as it is my/our understanding that mitigation sites would not permit any conflicting uses such as a trail.[...]

Please attend the meeting at City Hall, testify, or send a support letter.

Download this editable 'Model' Support Letter (30kb Word doc)

Your partnership is very much appreciated!

no 40 || npGREENWAY annual "get together"

2010-01-06T02:31:00.000-08:00

npGREENWAY Newsletter

North Portland Greenway Trail Advocacy
2010 January 6 Issue no 040

npGREENWAY annual "get together"

Saturday, January 9th 3:00-5:00 pm

Come on down to the river! Join us Saturday, January 9th 3:00 to 5:00 PM at The Portland Water Pollution Control Building located at the foot of N Burlington on the Willamette (with great views) for the annual npGREENWAY get together (aka: a meeting)

We have lots to share about progress towards the dream of the North Portland Willamette Greenway. And, we want to hear from you on your ideas.

In October 45 people spent a Saturday in a trail design workshop giving their ideas on where the trail should go and how it could be designed with some exciting amenities like bridges, art installations and view points.

We would like to share their work with you and get more ideas. All ideas will be shared with the City of Portland Parks and Recreation Bureau which is responsible for the next big task, a North Portland Willamette Greenway Master Plan, starting soon.

Hope we see you there!

6543 N Burlington Ave, Portland, OR View Map

visit www.trimet.org for public transit options

npGreenway Headlines Oregonian's In Portland Section

2009-11-19T11:27:00.001-08:00

npGreenway fans woke up this morning to a front page/center fold article in the Oregonian's In Portland section about our dream trail.

http://www.oregonlive.com/portland/index.ssf/2009/11/n_portland_dreams_of_its_own_r.html

The full page story gives a good presentation of npGreenway's vision and some of the advances that advocacy has made in the past few years. All members of npGreenway need to pat themselves on the back and get ready for more talking, writing and nudging to get the trail designed and built. It's fun work with a great group, so join us!

Celebrate the newly installed Big Pipe Portal trail sculpture on Swan Island

2009-09-21T20:38:00.000-07:00

caution: families on the road!

2009-06-30T15:33:00.001-07:00

caution: families on the road!
Originally uploaded by xtracycleinc

Love this picture that I saw on xtracycleinc's flickr feed today. We need some of those bike share lane markings around here!

no 35 || eNEWSLETTER : IT'S AN EXCITING WEEKEND!

2009-06-19T08:29:00.000-07:00

npGREENWAY Newsletter

North Portland Greenway Trail Advocacy
2009 June 19 Issue no 035

npGREENWAY Pedalpalooza Bike Ride

Saturday, June 20th 5PM, North end of Eastbank Esplanade at the lower level of the Steel Bridge

We are excited to be leading this ride again this year. If you are not familiar with Pedalpalooza, you should check it out. It is the main event of the year for Shift, a loose knit group of folks dedicated to "bike fun." There are over 200 events planned this year for the 2+ week festival with 25 events this Saturday alone!

Last year we received rave reviews of this ride and would love to share the experience with more of you this year.

Note: Dress for the weather and be prepared for some possible rocky/rough terrain. Road bikes are not recommended. This ride will end up at the University Park Neighborhood "Bike-in-Movie." The movie is billed as a "technicolor, swashbuckling classic" and is due to start at dusk.

Sunday Parkways is BACK!

Sunday, June 21st 9AM-4PM, North Portland

What better way to honor dad than spend the day outside in a 7.5 mile temporary park?!? This all day party in streets opened up to pedestrians, bicyclists, skateboarders, tricycles and people of all ages is back! Last year we had an absolutely fantastic time and are thrilled that we get to experience it again. We will have a booth with drinking water and copies of our 2009 Vision Map available in the same location as last year--right next to the Bike Gallery free repair tent above the Overlook Bowl near N Willamette and N Jessup. We are also looking for a few more volunteers to staff the booth in the following shift times:

9:00-11:00 am

11:00 am-1:00 pm

1:00-3:00 pm

3:00 -4:30 pm

Please e-mail us at info@npgreenway.org if you can volunteer for any of these times. It is a great opportunity to connect with your neighbors and find out more about the North Portland Greenway. Sunday Parkways is also looking for volunteers to be "Intersection Super Heroes" and direct traffic at certain locations along this 7.5 mile temporary park.

Northwest Trail Alliance - A "new" group with "experience"

Northwest Trail Alliance, nw-trail.org, has recently gone through a rebranding effort and changed their name from Portland United Mountain Pedalers. We look forward to working with them as we look for synergies between our vision for a hard surface greenway trail and urban "natural surface" trails. If you would like to become involved in this area, please contact npGREENWAY board member, Mark Pickett. Mark is also the person to contact if you would like to get involved with trail maintenance and restoration or soft surface off road bicycle projects or trail maintenance on bicycle approved corridors in Forest Park.

Creating the Greatest System of Parks, Trails, and Natural Areas!

Tuesday, June 30, 2009 6-8PM Keen Footwear 926 NW 13th Avenue

What's in a Name? You're invited to discover… the new name for our region's world-class network of parks, trails and natural areas, its new logo and how we might use it, and how you can help us connect our communities to their most extraordinary assets

Please RSVP by 6/26 to RSVP@ConnectingGreen.us

Pass on this invite to anyone else who should be at this important Connecting Green event!

* Keen Footwear is located at the Southeast corner of NW 13th and Lovejoy (kitty corner from Safeway) on the second floor. Parking is limited. Please bike, walk, ride the streetcar or TriMet's #77 bus to the event. The bus/streetcar stop is located across the street on 13th Avenue.

** To keep this a low-impact event, please bring your own cup or glass (BYOC/G)!

Cycling Through History

2009-05-22T09:12:00.000-07:00

The following is a guest post by North Portlander, Dan Haneckow. Dan writes a blog about Portland history called Cafe Unknown. He lives in the Overlook Neighborhood and is a supporter of npGREENWAY.

Barbara Bartlett Hartwell liked to look back. From 1959 to 1967 she delivered a series of lectures on the vanished Portland of her childhood at the cusp of the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, a time she described as an "... Indian summer of leisure, freedom from global worry, elegance, manners, that died with Edward VII." In 1975 her reminiscences were collected in a limited edition booklet, Sprigs of Rosemary, published by the National Society of the Colonial Dames of America in Oregon.

In it she describes an upper-class life of mahogany paneled parlors, calling cards and society balls held in the grand Victorian mansions clustered around Nineteenth Street in northwest Portland. But not all of her recollections took place indoors:

"In addition to culture, we achieved transportation. First there was the horse car, then the cable car, and at last the electric trolley; then when we knew we'd gone as far as it was possible to go, until the bicycle took the world by storm, and ladies in bicycle skirts, which were regarded as daring as later miniskirts, whirled along special bicycle paths over to Piedmont and up the Willamette."

It is a rare look at Portland's cycling boom of the 1890s when most of the city took to two wheels. Demand was so great that one merchant, Fred T. Merrill, sold 8,850 bicycles in Portland in 1898 alone, with the largest bike dealership west of the Mississippi.

Of interest to supporters of npGREENWAY, Hartwell looks back to when a network of bicycle trails crossed what was then called the Peninsula. The "special bike paths" she refers to were common in Portland during the boom years, many are said to have become automobile roads at a later date. The path to the new Piedmont neighborhood was one of the most popular in the city. "Up the Willamette" likely refers to a trail along the bluff, analogous to today's Willamette Blvd, as the Mock's Bottom lowlands were swampy or submerged entirely.

Barbara Bartlett Hartwell's description is all too short, but she provides a fleeting glimpse of North Portland before automobiles dominated what few roads existed, and reminds us that projects such as npGREENWAY and Sunday Parkways have deep roots in Portland's past.

We welcome guest articles for the npGREENWAY blog. If you have something you would like to share, send an e-mail to info@npgreenway.org

Portland Bike Rush Hour featured on New York City's Streetfilms

2009-04-30T09:55:00.001-07:00

Bike Traffic continues to grow exponentially in Portland. Recently, Clarence Eckerson, Jr. from New York City's Streetfilms.org in was in town. Eckerson worked with Portland's Dan Kaufman of Cranked My Chain CycleTV to produce this great video about cycling rush hour on the Hawthorne Bridge. They showed one brief clip of the busiest greenway in the country in NYC. I look forward to when we can show a video of the North Portland Greenway being used as a busy commuting route as well.

Check it out below:

Portland: Bike Rush Hour on the Hawthorne Bridge

by Clarence Eckerson, Jr. on April 29, 2009

The first time you visit Portland, Oregon, the gaggles of cyclists streaming over the Hawthorne Bridge during rush hour is a sight you will never forget. It's something other cities need to see and be inspired by.

On a recent vacation there, I couldn't resist cranking out a Streetfilms shortie, so I naturally hooked up with Crank My Chain's Dan Kaufman to capture the essence of the PM rush and talk to cyclists about what it feels like to be a part of the mass of cyclist humanity in Southeast Portland, Hawthorne corridor. As Greg Raisman from Portland's Bureau of Transportation pointed out: 20% of all traffic on the Hawthorne Bridge is bikes. And, Portland's number of cyclists has risen 600% in the last fifteen years and shows no sign of letting up.

Note: This video was also featured on BikePortland.org here.

Oregonian publishes article about new sculpture gateway on existing North Portland Greenway Trail

2009-04-23T10:05:00.000-07:00

18-foot sculpture hails Big Pipe project

by Michael Bales, special to The Oregonian
Thursday April 23, 2009, 7:00 AM

MICHAEL BALES/SPECIAL TO THE OREGONIANThe sculpture at an entrance to the North Portland Greenway Trail is known as the "Big Pipe Portal."

A new public sculpture on Swan Island frames the Willamette River and city's west side in an 18-foot arch of concrete and steel.

The arch, installed at an entrance to the North Portland Greenway Trail, artistically links the river to what's buried nearby: the Big Pipe project, which reduces sewage and storm-water pollution in the Willamette.

Just southwest of the sculpture, the westside pipe tunnel crosses beneath the river and intersects with the Swan Island Pump Station, most of which is at the bottom of a 165-foot shaft. The eastside pipe tunnel, still under construction, is scheduled to reach the station in 2011.

Click here to read the entire article on the Oregonian website.

Come make your VOICE heard on how Interstate Corridor Urban Renewal Funds should or should not be used in the Rose Quarter Redevelopment

2009-04-18T09:41:00.001-07:00

Mayor Adams takes comments on Rose Quarter "Redevelopment"
Originally uploaded by npGREENWAY

From our friends in Overlook neighborhood:

Interstate Corridor Urban Renewal Advisory Committee will meet on Monday, April 20, from 6:00-8:30 at Kaiser Town Hall. Mayor Sam Adams is scheduled to speak at 7:30 about the proposed Rose Quarter development and how ICURA could help fund it. There will be opportunity for public comments at 6:15 and 8:00. This development process is speeding along and it's critical that the public weigh in, especially the people who live in the Interstate Corridor. This would be the third time that North and Northeast Portlanders have funded city and regional projects (i.e., the Interstate Light Rail Line and New Columbia). There are many important projects throughout the Interstate Urban Renewal Area that need to be completed; helping to pay for the Rose Quarter development would divert necessary monies away from North and Northeast neighborhoods. Come and participate!

Rose Quarter Redevelopment Plans Must Include Pedestrian & Bike Access through Greenway

2009-04-14T23:37:00.001-07:00

npGREENWAY'sFrancie Royce looks on
Originally uploaded by npGREENWAY

Tonight, the Mayor held a "town hall style" meeting regarding the plans to redevelop the Rose Quarter. The Portland Tribune published a synopsis of the evening here: http://bit.ly/iFK5

npGREENWAY was there and we were pleased to hear several people including our own Francie Royce question the mayor and make known publically the fact that the North Portland Greenway needs to be given thought at the beginning of this project. It should not be an afterthought to be shoe-horned in at the 11th hour.

You can view our photos from the evening here: http://bit.ly/2P2JqO

There were many concerns brought forth tonight. I hope the Mayor and the city staff make the right decision.

Build Less Bridge CRC Opposition and Alternatives Rally Map

2009-04-03T15:05:00.001-07:00

Build Less Bridge CRC Opposition and Alternatives Rally Map
Originally uploaded by npGREENWAY

Online map helps you find a (bike) ride to Sunday’s Build Less Bridge Rally

Planning to attend Sunday’s Build Less Bridge CRC Opposition and Alternatives Rally?

A new online map can help you meet up with other folks riding from your part of town, or organize a feeder ride of your own.

The event is on Sunday, April 5th at noon in Waterfront Park under the west side of the Morrison Bridge.

Routes on the map so far leave from places like Vancouver, St. John’s, Cully, Northwest, [...]

For more information click here to read the BikePortland.org article or
here for the group's Facebook page.

4/18/2009 Cathedral Park 2nd Annual "Earth Day at the Beach" Project

2009-04-01T07:08:00.000-07:00

Time: 9:00 AM-1:00 PM

Site Address: N Baltimore Ave and N Bradford St

Directions: From I-5 North, take exit 305B to merge onto N Lombard St. Continue to follow N Lombard St west for ~2.5 miles. Turn left at N Baltimore Ave and go toward the river. Park entrance is just after Bradford St.

Meeting Location: Park in the small parking lot to your left as you enter the park. If that lot is full, park in boat ramp parking lot. Meet at the picnic tables near the large metal sculpture (under the bridge south of the parking lots).

Coordinator: Brett Lyon

Contact Email: brett@solv.org

Contact Phone Number: (503) 844-9571 x332

Project Activities: Join Portland Parks and Recreation and Cathedral Park neighborhood members for a day of litter pick up and general spiffing-up of this beautiful riverside park. Activities include: Cleanup, Illegal Dumpsite Cleanup, Litter Pickup. Snacks will be served and there may be complimentary lunch for volunteers afterward (donation pending)

Safety Issues: Water Body on Site, Hazardous Materials/Needles, Homeless Camp Site, Uneven or Slippery Ground.

Volunteers To Bring: Litter Grabber, Work Gloves,

Crane Swings Big Pipe Portal Into Place on Swan Island Greenway Trail

2009-03-26T15:26:00.000-07:00

A large crane carefully swung the woven metal arch over the trail. It was an early Saturday morning on Swan Island, and mist still hung in the hills across the Willamette River. City of Portland crews and the metal artist, Ean Eldred, guided one end of the arch onto its concrete pedestal. Cautiously, and with respect for the art piece, the crew in hard hats looked like they belonged on an industrial site as they pulled out tools to tightened the pieces together. One crew member motioned to the crane operator to give some slack, others twisted wrenches to tighten the Big Pipe Portal to its concrete base.

The pedestal concrete is made from sections of the Big Pipe, the massive sewer pipe running under the Willamette River from the west to the east, part of the Bureau of Environmental Services Combined Sewerage Overflow project. Some of the metal in the arch comes from rebar also used in the Big Pipe project. Designers with rhiz A+D, a Portland intradisiplinary design studio, successfully created the piece to make the Big Pipe visible. The diameter of the Big Pipe Portal is the same as the pipe under the Willamette River. Other elements of the twisting metal on the arch represent the current and eddies of the river. The sculpture was funded by a percent for art from constuction of the sewerage pump station on Swan Island.

For a dramatic effect, The Big Pipe Portal straddles an entry to the Greenway Trail on Swan Island. The arch will welcome trail walkers with a framed view of the river and west hills as they step onto the trail.

Thanks to the work by Bureau of Environmental Services, Portland Parks and Recreation and designers and artists rhiz A + D. http://www.rhizaplusd.com/ for this signature entry to the Greenway Trail on Swan Island.

Directions: Trail entrance on N Port Center Rd off of N Going St on Swan Island.

npGREENWAY on Travel Oregon Blog

2009-03-19T09:32:00.001-07:00

npGREENWAY on Travel Oregon Blog
Originally uploaded by npGREENWAY

npGREENWAY Board Member, Francie Royce, wrote an article that was published on the Travel Oregon blog today.

Walking the Greenway Trail on Swan Island
By Francie Royce

Swan Island, an industrial hub in North Portland, home to heavy industry and distribution warehouses, would seem an unlikely location for a trail for wildlife viewing on the Willamette River. Those who do walk this flat one mile trail of the future North Portland Willamette Greenway Trail will be pleasantly surprised to find a nice mix between viewing wildlife and a working river. It is one of the few locations for public access to the Willamette River in North Portland.

On a sunny but chilly October afternoon as I walk along and look out on the north flowing Willamette River, black and white ring necked Canadian Geese calmly sit on the water in floating formation, tug boats chug by, and fishermen in small pleasure craft dangle their lines into the water hopefully. [...]

Click here to read the entire story on the Travel Oregon Blog.

Metro Needs assistance with Trail Counting

2009-03-12T09:54:00.000-07:00

Metro needs some help calibrating an infrared trail counter.

Robert Spurlock, Metro's Associate Regional Trails Planner, asked if we could round up some folks to assist with the process. He needs to calibrate the infrared trail counters by comparing the tool's data to a hand count. He needs four different trail counts completed. One two hour count during a week day and one two hour count during a weekend at both Smith Bybee Wetlands and Mount Talbert Park.

If you have time to assist, please e-mail Mark Pickett to let him know when you could be available. Mark will relay the info to Robert.

Portlanders are lobbying for Bikes in D.C.

2009-03-12T07:51:00.001-07:00

National Bike Summit - Day two-40
Originally uploaded by BikePortland.org

In case you didn't know it, we thought we'd let you know that there is a delegation of Oregonians in D.C. right now lobbying for us at the National Bike Summit. I love this photo of Bike Gallery Owner, Jay Graves revealing his 'inner portland' underneath his jacket and button up shirt.
GO PORTLAND!
Between meetings on Capitol Hill, Maus of BikePortland.org
found free wi-fi and an outlet in Union Station.
Originally uploaded by BikePortland.org

To read more about the 2009 National Bike Summit, you can follow all the coverage at BikePortland.org.

no 33 || Great News!! $444,800 approved for North Willamette Greenway Plan

2009-03-05T10:54:00.001-08:00

npGREENWAY Newsletter

North Portland Greenway Trail Advocacy
2009 March 05 Issue no 033

We've been sending a lot of messages to the npGREENWAY community asking for your support. We have already expressed our gratitude for your response supporting the greenway in large numbers. This morning, we are very pleased to announce that progress has been made.

One of our volunteers attended a meeting of the Metro Joint Policy Advisory Committee on Transportation (JPACT) this morning where they presented their final recommendation to the Metro Council for projects that would receive Regional Flexible Funds (RFF). After a very competitive process the final recommendation was made; including $444,800 in project development funds for the Willamette Greenway Trail: N Columbia Blvd - Steel Bridge.

There are still some formalities to go through, but in our understanding, this was the largest hurdle that was remaining in the process. Metro Council is scheduled to consider the JPACT recommendation at its March 19th meeting, completing the process.

Your actions had a direct result on the outcome. This is acknowledged in a memo stating "TPAC considered the comments received during the public comment period. This was reflected by [...] recommending funding of the North Willamette Greenway master plan; the project receiving the most public support from the public comment period."

Thank you and have a great weekend!

Go To npGREENWAY.org»
or follow us on twitter at: twitter.com/npgreenway»

no 032 || Waud Bluff Trail needs to be part of Fed Stimulus Funding

2009-03-02T13:59:00.001-08:00

npGREENWAY Newsletter

North Portland Greenway Trail Advocacy
2009 March 02 Issue no 032

Support NEEDED from Mayor, Parks and Metro for Waud Bluff Trail in Stimulus Funding!
deadline for input tomorrow March 3rd
NOTE: the deadline for submitting public comments may be extended if substantial changes are made to project list.

As you have no doubt seen, heard, or read in the news, The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act is attempting to economically stimulate our economy by distributing funds across the country. "Metro anticipates about $38 million to be available to fund city and county transportation projects in the Portland metropolitan region as part of the federal economic stimulus package. Because the stimulus package is geared toward immediate job creation, the project selection process is on a short timeline."[1]

As many of you know, Waud Bluff Trail was originally awarded $1.2 Million after an incredibly competitive grant application process in the fall of 2004. There were projects from all over the state in the running for a fairly small pot...$7 Million or so. Unfortunately due to a number of factors the $1.2 Million is no longer enough to get the trail built and there is a significant funding gap before design and construction can proceed.

According to the Portland Parks department project manager's budget, an additional $1.6 million is needed to close the funding gap and get this important project built! That is a small price to pay in exchange for the economic benefits and livability dividends it would provide for our city and neighborhoods.

Early this year, we watched the Mayor stand alongside the Daimler Truck CEO at their First Gear Academy Ribbon Cutting Ceremony and proclaim his support for Daimler and this part of the city. The Waud Bluff Trail not only benefits Daimler and its families going to First Gear Academy, but also UPS, Adidas North America, The University of Portland and countless other large and small employers alike.

I have heard Rex Burkholder, Metro Councilor and Chair of the 17 member Joint Policy Advisory Committee on Transportation, proclaim that Waud Bluff needs to be built and is a great example of a project that should receive stimulus dollars.

However, from our understanding, it is NOT currently on the list!

Portland citizens voiced their opinion nearly 5 years ago and secured funds that were supposed to have had this project built by now.

Please contact Mayor Adams, Councilor Burkholder and Commissioner Fish and ask them to help restore the public trust and put this project on the Federal Stimulus list to receive the necessary funding to be built! This may be the only chance to fill the funding gap anytime in the near future. ...and it would create jobs now!

Key Items to remember:

Its ready to go,
its a key link to jobs on Swan Island,
it connects the community to the future North Willamette Greenway Trail,
it provides safe passage over Union Pacific Railroad via an already heavily used path,
its supported by UPS, US Coast Guard, adidas America, Overlook NA and the Swan Island Business Association.

Please contact your elected officials:Sam Adams, Mayor
Phone: (503)823-4120
e-mail: Samadams@ci.portland.or.us
Commissioner Nick Fish
(503) 823-3589
e-mail: Nick@ci.portland.or.us

Metro Councilor Rex Burkholder
503-797-1546 | 503-797-1793 fax
e-mail: rex.burkholder@oregonmetro.gov

Thank you to our friends for all of your support. Your voice is being heard and it does make a difference. We will be sending you more letters soon about upcoming walks and bike rides this summer--and those won't require any letters or public testimony on your part!

Local Architect and Blue Ribbon Trail Committee Member has vision of Portland full of bike paths and trails amongst other things

2009-02-26T08:25:00.001-08:00

Over at the Burnside Blog, they published part 3 of a series entitled
"IF I WERE KING OF THE (URBAN) FOREST Here are some excerpts that we wanted to share with you:

Architect Rick Potestio is one of the design community’s most engaging thinkers—the product of a childhood spent basking in the work of masters like Johns Yeon and Storrs, Pietro Belluschi, Zaik and Zimmer. Portland-born, U of O-trained during the ‘70s heyday that also brought us Nancy Merryman, Brad Cloepfil, John Cava and others, Potestio went on to work in the offices of Thomas Hacker, SERA, Mahlum, among others. He’s been described as “an architect’s architect, in the vein of Kahn, Scarpa, etc. Almost the id and super-ego to the ego of Brad Cloepfil.” If you saw his bold, speculative work as part of last year’s PDXplore exhibition at PNCA or if you’ve ever talked with Potestio, the first thing that strikes you is his sincerity and enthusiasm for big ideas—the type of utopian fervor that got us all excited once upon a time about the possibilities of architecture and planning. It’s a welcome reminder that cities can and should remain aspirational.

[...]

Here’s a sampling of some of Rick’s vision of a Portland that might be.

If you had unlimited funds and a full-pass to develop, rehab, or build, what would you do, where, and why?
“Well OK, you asked. . .

a) TRANSPORTATION
* develop a city-wide Streetcar system. (However it may have to be rubber wheeled—bikes and tracks don’t mix well).
* build a bridge connecting NE Fremont with NW 23rd Avenue. I’d complete [the] bike path system, create bike boulevards or a woonerf street system [a “residential yard” where motorists, bikes, peds share a street without boundaries such as lanes and curbs and have access to the whole street, not just sidewalks].
* create a boulevard system, with roundabouts at principle intersections.
* I would create a funicular system for the West Hills.
* cap portions of 405 and all of I-5 from the Rose Garden to the Columbia River. I would tear down or build over I-5 on the East Bank.
* Institute a bike share program as in Europe.
* Ask Trimet to base bus schedules and routes on activities, not just on commutes to the core—i.e. I’d advocate for evening Trimet routes to connect enertainment centers, weekend routes that connect activity areas/parks. I’d also ask them to buy smaller, more friendly and fun buses.
* Remove all the traffic circles (and other traffic calming devices) at intersections lower the general speed limit—and increase enforcement and fines.
* Study, with intent to implement on a test basis in some neighborhoods, a designing of streets as is currently being approached in German and the Netherlands.

Click here to read the complete article at Portland Spaces.

Join the effort to encourage more bike and pedestrian projects

2009-02-24T07:59:00.000-08:00

The letter below came from the 1000 friends of Oregon Website. They are spearheading a campaign to get the federal economic recovery act to spend more money on bike and pedestrian projects.

Here at npGREENWAY, we are working dilligently to receive additional funding to build the Waud Bluff Trail. This project has been languishing for nearly 5 years now and needs an additional $1.6 million to construct. According to a recent report compiled by Metro, the Waud Bluff Trail project would create 18 design and construction jobs. The report describes the project as follows: "Leveraging MTIP and local SDC funds, construct a key trail connection and bridge over railroad to Swan Island Industrial Park." To find out more about the Waud Bluff Trail and other improvements in the area, download the Swan Island Trails Action Plan. [2.386Mb pdf]

Please consider sending communication to the Governer expressing your opinion through the form on the 1000 Friends website.

Send an email to Governor Kulongoski

Dear Governor,

The federal economic recovery act allocates $334 million in federal surface transportation program funds to Oregon. We respectfully request you invest these funds in ready-to-go transit, bike and pedestrian projects that will create jobs and make our communities stronger.

Under the State Constitution, Oregon's communities are locked out of the Highway Trust Fund for bicycle, pedestrian, and transit facilities. Please help Oregon's communities access the federal recovery funds for these vital investments.

Oregon has the opportunity to spend federal dollars to make our transportation system more equitable, sustainable, resilient to fuel price spikes, and independent of foreign oil sources while putting Oregonians back to work. We appreciate your leadership and look forward to working with you to ensure these dollars make a real difference for Oregon's transportation future.

Sincerely,

[Your Name]

Connecting Green Meeting Tonight

2009-02-19T14:01:00.000-08:00

This video was created by Metro staff for the launch of the Connecting Green Blue Ribbon Committee for Trails last spring. Tonight, the Connecting Green Alliance will again come together for a "chance to find out what's been going on for the past year, sign up to become actively involved in the Connecting Green Alliance, and keep the momentum up," says Mike Houck. "[It is an] Opportunity To Continue Launching The World's Greatest Regional System of Parks, Trails, and Natural Areas." We hope to see some of you there.

Keen Footwear, 926 NW 13th Avenue

5:30 pm to 7 pm

5:30 pm Check In and Socializing

6 pm Program

Meet the Connecting Green Alliance Coordinator and CGA Core Group

Presentation of the Creative Brief created by Sockeye Creative after meeting with numerous stakeholders since our Connecting Green Meeting. The Creative Brief will guide next steps to a Brand and Marketing Strategy for Connecting Green.

Connecting Green Success Stories From Around the Region:

Tualatin Hills Park and Recreation District’s $100 million bond measure
Regional Trails Initiatives: New Regional Trail Leadership Position; Blue Ribbon Trail Committee Recommendations; Funding Approval for New Trail Project……….and more
Refining and Defining The System
Sharing Success Stories
Exploring the Petals (Trails, Restoration, Acquisition, Conservation Education, The System)

7 pm Socializing

Baltimore Woods and Old Growth Oak Trees Walk

2009-02-18T10:43:00.000-08:00

Several curious people showed on a cold, shivering Saturday morning in February to go on a walk lead by Friends of Baltimore Woods with npGreenway members. Barbara Quinn and Jim Barnas of FBW led walkers on the future North Portland Willamette Greenway Trail along the edge of Baltimore Woods and pointed out precious old growth oak trees. The trees are some of the last remaining stands of oaks along the Willamette River. Oaks with spreading branches provide the best habitat. Other highlights of the walk were a peek at the oldest house in St John's, and talk about a pioneer cemetary that was either moved or built over.

Help us finish strong!

2009-02-10T17:08:00.000-08:00

npGREENWAY Newsletter

North Portland Greenway Trail Advocacy
2009 February 10 Issue no 031

Help us finish strong!
deadline for input February 12th

The Regional Flexible Funding process is coming to a close.
Please take a moment and let Metro Councilors know that you want to the North Portland Willamette Greenway completed from the Steel Bridge to the Columbia. Your help is needed, again.

WOW! There isn't a better word to describe our reaction to the work you all did last time we asked you to step forward in support. npGREENWAY supporters were heard loud and clear at Metro late last year. (See our blog post here.) A heartfelt thanks to the 214 people that made supportive comments. Put those 214 comments up against the 797 total comments for the entire region and you can be sure that your voice helped keep the North Portland Willamette Greenway Trail on an important list to fund project development.

However, we aren't done yet and more help from you is needed.
Metro and City staff are supportive, but there is sharp competition in the region for these Regional Flexible Funds.

The $444,800 Willamette Greenway Trail package is one of the remaining projects still in the running for part of the $21.65 million. The next step is consideration at a joint meeting of the Metro Council and JPACT on February 12, 2009, 4:00 PM. (JPACT is bureaucratic jargon for a group of elected officials and others from around the Metro Region that make decisions on Federal Transportation dollars that come into our area.) After reviewing all input, they will vote to approve projects at the March 5th Metro Council meeting.

So, if you haven’t yet, or can again, tell Metro why the North Portland Willamette Greenway Trail is important to you, your family and our community. Help secure funds for project development for the North Portland Willamette Greenway Trail.

Click Here to comment online now!
or

Email trans@oregonmetro.org
Mail “Regional Flexible Fund”,
Metro Planning,
600 NE Grand Ave,
Portland, OR 97232
Fax “Regional Flexible Fund” at 503-797-1930
Testify orally (and submit written comments)
at 02/12 Metro Council/JPACT hearing

OVERVIEW OF SCHEDULE

01/30 TPAC made final recommendation to JPACT on RFF allocation (included npGREENWAY)
02/12 JPACT/Metro Council joint public hearing on TPAC recommendation 4pm Metro
03/05 JPACT makes recommendation to Metro Council
03/19 Metro Council Approved recommendation (pending Air Quality Analysis)

Do you have a talent you can share?
volunteers needed

Many of you have asked "What's going on with the greenway these days?" Our answer us always, "A lot!" It is often difficult to summarize and distribute this information to you all. Our Website and our Blog are great sources for this information, but they are only as good as the content being put into them.

If you have a passion for blogging or writing and would like to help us get our message out, please attend one of our upcoming core group meetings. Any other desires to help will be welcomed with open arms. Our core group meetings are held on the first Tuesday of the month, 7:00 AM at the Madrona Hill Cafe, and the third Monday of the month, 7:30 PM in the back room of Anna Bannanas in St Johns.

Thanks from your friends at npGREENWAY!

npGREENWAY
from the Esplanade to the Columbia

From the Streetfilms blog: Earl Blumenauer talks transit, stimulus, bikes and Obama

2009-02-10T10:12:00.000-08:00

Contrary to what some politicians would have us believe right now, bicycling and transportation is a non-partisan issue. Or, as Earl Blumenauer calls it in the video below, "a BIKEpartison" issue. We need to continue the momentum to improve our non-motorized transportation infrastructure in this country for myriad reasons. The time is now!

Rail and Trails existing together...another local example

2009-02-07T08:52:00.000-08:00

Rail and Trails existing together. Yes, despite what the railroads here in North Portland are testifying, it is possible--and safe!

Here is a great video shot by Michael Irving of his exerience on the Westside Express Service this week. Checkout the great views of all the water and trails. Love the view of the bridge from the train. We experienced it last summer on the bike, but this provides a whole new perspective.

Here today.... gone tomorrow?

2009-01-29T15:54:00.001-08:00

Big Kid Fun
Originally uploaded by npGREENWAY

I am attempting to document Triangle Park as best I can before it is all transformed into a University River Campus. The graffiti and tired, worn out buildings have a strange sort of beauty to them that I will miss.

For those of you who don't know, this property was recently purchased by the University of Portland. npGREENWAY is excited for the opportunity that this provides for the University and for the Willamette Greenway Trail. We are looking forward to a new 12' wide hard surface transportation trail through this area in the future.

inauguration from space | people? or ants?

2009-01-21T16:07:00.001-08:00

inauguration from space | people? or ants?
Originally uploaded by npGREENWAY

One of our npGREENWAY members was at President Obama's Inauguration yesterday. I tried to pick her out in this photo, but I think I'm still going to need a little higher resolution!

Were you there? I met a family on the MAX today who had just returned from D.C. The woman said she had been there for Clinton's second inauguration and this was nothing like that one. I was not there, but I imagine this was unlike any inaugurations we've had for a very long time.

This Bridge Needs to be BUILT!!!

2009-01-15T07:29:00.001-08:00

Concept of Waud Bluff Bridge Section from The Swan Island Trails Action Plan
Originally uploaded by npGREENWAY

There is much talk about "Economic Stimulus Packages" these days and Bike/Bridge projects being fast tracked.
(See: this BikePortland Article )

However, the Waud Bluff Trail bridge has been languishing in the funded but not built category for nearly five years now. We need to get this built!

Click on this image for adjacent images on the flickr page that give a description of the project from the Swan Island Trails Action plan, January, 2004.

Where did Matt ride in 2008?

2009-01-04T13:18:00.001-08:00

Portland Biking
Originally uploaded by Matt.Picio

Bike enthusiast and Portlander, Matt Picio recently posted a map that traces all of his biking around Portland in 2008. It is quite the amazing map and really shows how a bike can be used for transportation in this town.

In the future, we hope more of his "red lines" will be along the North Willamette waterfront on the trail alignment envisioned by npGREENWAY.

Matt had this to say about his endeavors on a local e-mail list serve for SHIFT to bikes:

Most of you know I'm rather... obsessive about recording my mileage when I ride - and I put together a map. My GPS tracks where I've been, and my map software automatically imports those tracks and displays them for me.

I rode over 6,300 miles this year, compared to 5,200 last year and 3,400 the year before that. I spent 613 hours actually seated on my bike this past year - that's equivalent to spending 38 days (assuming 8 hours sleep each day) doing nothing but riding.

My goal for 2009 is 10,000 miles (like the Air Force says, "Aim High") -
we'll see how I do.

A little Christmas Cargo Bike Humor...

2008-12-28T06:58:00.001-08:00

tip 'o the hat to Clever Cycles and Yehuda Moon.

Update on RFF Comments

2008-12-12T13:12:00.000-08:00

Michelle has posted a great story over at the Bicycle Transportation Alliance blog about your overwhelming support in Metro's recent Regional Flexible Funding process. THANK YOU! We have great hope that the decision will come in favor of the Willamette River Greenway Feasibility Study.

Support for bike/ped trails dominates Metro process

Posted by: Michelle
Dec 11 2008, 5:36 pm

For the last two months we've been asking you to let Metro know if you support more funding for bicycle and pedestrian projects in this region, and to tell them which projects in particular you want to see.

Well, you sure responded! Comments in support of bike and ped projects dominated in the recent Regional Flexible Fund (RFF) process. Thank you for your help!

Of the 797 comments received, 553 of them (about 69%) were in support of bike, pedestrian and trail projects.

The individual projects that received the most support were overwhelming active transportation projects: the Willamette Greenway Trail (with 214 in support) [...]

Click here for the entire story.

Testify at Planning Commission tonight

2008-12-09T17:22:00.000-08:00

Testify at Planning Commission tonight
The River Plan is headed to the Planning Commission tonight. This is an opportunity for you to come and show your support for a multi-use path connecting St Johns with downtown.

BikePortland.org posted a great article this afternoon summarizing whats going on. If you have time tonight, we'd love to see you there!

Willamette Greenway Trail heads to Planning Commission

Posted by Jonathan Maus (Editor) on December 9th, 2008 at 2:13 pm

Metro trail planner Mel Huie and
npGreenway core member Pam
Arden at a 2007 meeting.
(Photo © J. Maus)

Tonight, the Portland Planning Commission — a nine-member body appointed by the Mayor that advises the city on all planning issues — will hold a public hearing for the “North Reach” phase of Portland’s River Plan.

The River Plan is a massive planning project for all land along the Willamette River in Portland.

Buried among the many volumes and reams of pages in the North Reach section of the plan is language that would help establish easements and official policy for the northern section of the Willamette River Greenway Trail (which currently ends at the Steel Bridge).

[click here to see the entire article on bikeportland.org...]

Shoreline at Bluff around the University of Portland

2008-12-03T17:55:00.001-08:00

Shoreline at Bluff around the University of Portland
Originally uploaded by npGREENWAY

This image does a good job of showing "the lay of the land" where the trail would need to go around the foot of the bluff at the University of Portland.

Read the caption on the flicker page for more information.

CRITICAL support for npGREENWAY needed http://tinyurl.com/support-npGREENWAY

2008-10-14T19:26:00.001-07:00

CRITICAL support for npGREENWAY needed http://tinyurl.com/support-npGREENWAY
Originally uploaded by npGREENWAY

WE NEED YOUR HELP!

There is a critical opportunity right now in the lifetime of this project. It is very important that everyone support Portland Parks Bureau's request to fund an updated planning study of the North Willamette Greenway. The study would be funded with federal dollars as part of the regional flexible fund allocation of the Metropolitan Transportation Improvement Program.

Please go to the Metro website and express your support for this vital transportation link between North Portland and the region:
tinyurl.com/support-npGREENWAY

This study has already made it through the first step in this two step process.
The following is some more information from the Metro MTIP website.

Project and program applications may be submitted by jurisdictions, transportation or transit agencies within the metropolitan region for any transportation category except local street construction.
2010-2013 funding cycle
The 2010-2013 regional flexible funding cycle is now underway. The policy update to the 2010-13 Metropolitan Transportation Improvement Program (MTIP) directed staff to develop a two-step process for the allocation of regional flexible funds. The first step involved a recommendation of funding for certain regional programs, followed by the solicitation of applications for local projects. The list of projects and programs being considered for regional flexible funds is available for downloading below. Metro has now finished the project solicitation process for local projects and completed the technical evaluation of project applications. A summary of the technical scores and qualitative analysis is available for downloading below. Also, during the public comment period, you will be able to comment on projects and programs through a web comment tool, mail, email, and public meetings called 'listening posts' where testimony will be heard by Metro Councilors and local officials. Dates for these meetings are provided in the schedule below.
Schedule and key dates
August 2008
Draft technical rankings released
October 13 - December 1 2008
Public comment period
Listening post dates and locations:
Wednesday, Oct. 15, 5 to 8 p.m.
Gresham City Hall Building

Monday, Oct. 20, 5 to 8 p.m.
Hillsboro Civic Center

Tuesday, Oct. 28, 5 to 8 p.m.
Oregon City, Pioneer Community Center

Thursday, Oct. 30, 5 to 8 p.m.
Metro Regional Center

January 2009 Final recommendation of projects
February 2009 Public hearing - adoption of regional flexible fund allocation
August 2009 Full MTIP adoption with air quality conformity analysis
October 2009 Obligation of FY 2010 funding begins

River Plan News - October 10, 2008

2008-10-10T10:24:00.000-07:00

R I V E R P L A N N E W S
Planning for the land along the Willamette River
City of Portland | Bureau of Planning

IN THIS ISSUE
1. River Plan / North Reach Open House and Plan Release
2. River Plan / North Reach Schedule

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

1. River Plan / North Reach Open House and Plan Release
The River Team will host two open houses in coordination with the release of the River Plan / North Reach Proposed Plan. Attend an open house to pick up a copy of the proposed plan, view a brief presentation about key recommendations, and/or talk with staff.

Event details:

Monday, November 3, 2008 Wednesday, December 3rd, 2008
5:30 to 7:30 PM 12:00 to 1:30 PM & 5:30 to 7:30 PM
BES Water Lab Planning Bureau, Room 2500B (2nd Floor)
6543 N Burlington Avenue 1900 SW 4th Avenue
Portland, OR 97203 Portland, OR 97201

Click here to plan your trip using public transportation: TriMet Trip Planner http://www.trimet.org/go/cgi-bin/plantrip.cgi.

For more information contact the River Team at (503) 823-2281 or riverplan@ci.portland.or.us.

2. River Plan / North Reach Schedule
The River Plan / North Reach Planning Commission and City Council schedule is as follows (all dates subject to change):

Planning Commission Briefing and Document Release: October 28, 2008
Planning Commission Hearing: December 9, 2008
Planning Commission Hearing (if needed) and Worksession: January 13, 2009
Planning Commission Worksession: February 10, 2009
City Council: TBD

All Planning Commission meetings will be held at the Planning Bureau:

1900 SW 4th Ave, Suite 2500A

Portland, OR 97201

Thank you for your interest in the River Plan!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
For more information about the progress of River Plan, please refer to the updated River Plan Timeline:
http://www.portlandonline.com/shared/cfm/image.cfm?id=122340

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

City of Portland, Oregon
Bureau of Planning
1900 SW 4th Ave., Suite 4100
Portland, Oregon 97201-5350
Telephone: 503-823-7700
Fax: 503-823-7800
TTY: 503-823-6868
riverplan@ci.portland.or.us
http://www.portlandonline.com/planning/riverplan

River Plan News - September 10, 2008

2008-09-13T06:25:00.001-07:00

R I V E R P L A N N E W S
September 10, 2008

Planning for the land along the Willamette River
City of Portland | Bureau of Planning

IN THIS ISSUE
1. River Plan Presents at the River in Focus Brownbag
2. Planning Commission Briefing
3. River Plan / North Reach Schedule Change
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

1. River Plan Presents at the River in Focus Brownbag
Bring your sack lunch and join the River Team at this month's River in Focus brownbag sponsored by River Renaissance. The River Team will present the complex issues at play in the North Reach and outline recommendations in the forthcoming draft River Plan / North Reach.
Brownbag details:
Tuesday, September 16, 2008, from 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm
Portland City Hall, Lovejoy Room
1221 SW 4th Avenue
For more info contact the River Team
(503) 823-2281 or riverplan@ci.portland.or.us.

2. Planning Commission Briefing
On Tuesday, September 23rd, Planning staff will brief the Planning Commission on background information related to access, riverfront communities, and working with our partners in the North Reach.
Meeting details:
Tuesday, September 23rd, 2008 (evening meeting)
Planning Bureau, Room 2500A (2nd Floor)
1900 SW 4th Avenue
Portland, OR 97201

3. River Plan / North Reach Schedule Adjustment
The revised River Plan / North Reach Planning Commission and City Council schedule is as follows (all dates subject to change):
Planning Commission Background Briefing: September 23, 2008
Planning Commission Briefing and Document Release: October 28, 2008
Planning Commission Hearing: December 9, 2008
Planning Commission Hearing and Worksession: January 13, 2009
Planning Commission Worksession: February 10, 2009
City Council: TBD

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
For more information about the progress of River Plan, please refer to the updated River Plan Timeline: http://www.portlandonline.com/shared/cfm/image.cfm?id=122340
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
City of Portland, Oregon|Bureau of Planning|1900 SW 4th Ave., Suite 4100|Portland, Oregon 97201-5350|Telephone: 503-823-7700|Fax: 503-823-7800|TTY: 503-823-6868|riverplan@ci.portland.or.us| http://www.portlandonline.com/planning/riverplan

R I V E R P L A N N E W S - August 25, 2008

2008-08-26T06:11:00.000-07:00

R I V E R P L A N N E W S

August 25, 2008

Planning for the land along the Willamette River

City of Portland | Bureau of Planning

IN THIS ISSUE

1. Planning Commission Briefing

2. Join the River Team at Riverfest

3. River Plan / North Reach Tentative Schedule Change

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

1. Planning Commission Briefing

On Tuesday, August 26th, Planning staff will brief the Planning Commission on River Plan / North Reach natural resource and economic information.

Meeting details:

Tuesday, August 26th, 2008 at approximately 8:15 pm

Planning Bureau, Room 2500A (2nd Floor)

1900 SW 4th Avenue

Portland, OR 97201

Click here to plan your trip using public transportation: TriMet Trip Planner

For more information call the Planning Bureau at (503) 823-7700 or visit the Planning Commission website.

2. Join the River Team at Riverfest

The River Team will take part in the Riverfest Community Fair at Tom McCall Waterfront Part on August 31st, 2008 from 12:00 pm to 4:00 pm. Staff will be on hand to answer questions about the River Plan / North Reach and launch outreach for the South and Central Reaches. Visit the Riverfest website at www.portlandriverfest.org for more information about the Community Fair and other events taking place during the week-long celebration of the Willamette River.

3. River Plan / North Reach Tentative Schedule Change

River Plan staff are currently in the process of revising the River Plan / North Reach Planning Commission and City Council schedule. Please pencil in October 28th for the River Plan / North Reach document release and December 9th for a Planning Commission hearing. Confirmation of the revised schedule will be announced via River Plan News.

Thank you for your interest in the River Plan!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

For more information about the progress of River Plan, please refer to the updated River Plan Timeline:

http://www.portlandonline.com/shared/cfm/image.cfm?id=122340

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

To SIGN UP for these River Plan News alerts, please visit http://www.portlandonline.com/planning/riverplan and click on "stay informed" or send an email request to the River Team at riverplan@ci.portland.or.us

City of Portland, Oregon

Bureau of Planning

1900 SW 4th Ave., Suite 4100

Portland, Oregon 97201-5350

Telephone: 503-823-7700

Fax: 503-823-7800

TTY: 503-823-6868

riverplan@ci.portland.or.us

http://www.portlandonline.com/planning/riverplan

npGREENWAY bike ride from the Esplanade through St Johns

2008-08-19T17:28:00.000-07:00

On Wednesday night, August 20th, we will continue our series of bike rides along the North Portland Willamette Greenway trail alignment.

Wednesday, August 20th, 5:30pm - 8:30pm

These bike rides have received many positive reviews in the past and are a great way to get acquainted with the trail.

The August ride will meet at the northern terminus of the Eastbank Esplanade near the bottom of the stairs by the Steel Bridge. From there, we will head north.

**Please note that the possibilities of rough terrain and inclement weather on this ride. Prepare accordingly.

Looking forward to seeing you there!

http://npgreenway.blogspot.com
http://www.npgreenway.org

RideCivil Artwork

2008-07-31T08:34:00.001-07:00

RideCivil Artwork
Originally uploaded by Hugger Industries

RideCivil™ is a Bike Hugger gift to the cycling community. You are free to remix, re-use, and share the RideCivil artwork as a flyer, shirt, jerseys, socks, thong bikini, tatoo, or whatever works.

The RideCivil mark and artwork are licensed under Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-Share Alike 3.0 Unported.link

The artwork was created by Drew Carlson and distributed by Bike Hugger.

300 DPI, PDF version available for download here.

CBS News: Portland "farthest down the road in making itself bike friendly"

2008-07-27T23:56:00.001-07:00

CBS News Sunday Morning
COVER STORY
Pedal Power
With Gas Above $4 A Gallon, More And More People Are Trading In Four Wheels For Two
'Blog' Link: http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/07/27/sunday/main4297624.shtml

[...Several cities like San Francisco, Chicago and Minneapolis are known for their bicycle facilities. But the one that's farthest down the road in making itself bike friendly is Portland, Oregon.

Mayor-elect Sam Adams is Portland's transportation commissioner. He'll soon preside over the country's biggest bicycling success story.

Remember, less than one percent of Americans cycle for transportation, but here in Portland, that number reaches six percent, and as high as 15 percent in some neighborhoods.

At Clever Cycles, Portlanders can even buy the bike equivalent of an SUV. One model can carry a thousand pounds.

Spend a little time in Portland, and you'll soon be struck by not just the number of bikers, but their variety...]

Bicycle Mania! Video

Americans are soon coming to realize that bicycles are fun and a great green alternative to automobiles. Serena Altschul examines the longstanding appeal, and recent renewed interest, of the bicycle.
Video Link: http://www.cbsnews.com/sections/i_video/main500251.shtml?id=4297826n

Jeff Mapes Oregonian Article | Oregon cities plan more bikeway projects as cycling increases

2008-07-20T12:50:00.001-07:00

Sunday, July 20, 2008
JEFF MAPES
The Oregonian Staff

Portland...bike capital of America

Weird road-rage incidents involving motorists and cyclists have dominated the local news lately, but they're just signs of the bigger story: Bicycling has grown into a vital part of the region's transportation system.

The recent run-up in gas prices has only accelerated the decadelong growth in cycling sparked in large part by Portland's decision in the early 1990s to build a bikeway network.

The big increase in cycling -- which has made interaction with cyclists a daily occurrence for most motorists in Portland -- could be just the beginning.

Seizing on the current wave of interest in "green transportation," local and regional officials are pushing major bikeway projects they hope could drive another big increase in cycling.

They hope that creating a dense network of bike and pedestrian trails in the region and low-traffic "bike boulevards" on city streets will provide alternatives to driving while also reducing some of the bike-car conflicts that have frustrated motorists and cyclists.

"There's a fundamental shift going on," said Metro President David Bragdon. For the first time, all levels of government are showing interest in what he calls nonmotorized transportation.

Nowhere is that shift more visible than in Portland, where a survey last year found that 6 percent of residents usually travel by bicycle. Officials expect this year's numbers to be even higher.

Commissioner Sam Adams, who was elected mayor in May with the political support of cycling advocates, is pushing a major street maintenance package that would include $24 million to nearly quadruple the city's network of bike boulevards.

The boulevards are largely residential streets that use diverters, signage and other treatments aimed at providing good through routes for cyclists while discouraging all but local motorized traffic.

Adams says the boulevards are needed.

"Cars are afraid of hitting bikes, bikers are afraid of getting hit by cars, and there are more bikes than ever sharing the road," he said. "This system we have in place here is not adequate to meet the needs of all the right-of-way users."

Adams is trying to pitch his plan as a benefit to drivers by shifting much of the bike traffic off major arterials.

Meanwhile, Bragdon has formed a committee that will give him a list of priority trail projects the Portland region could move on quickly if money comes from new state and federal transportation proposals. Congress will begin work next year on reauthorizing the federal transportation program, a once every four- or five-year effort that sets the nation's transportation priorities. Bicycling advocates have more sway in that effort than ever before.

Sen. James Oberstar, D-Minn., an avid cyclist who says he wants to convert the "hydrocarbon economy to the carbohydrate economy," now chairs the House Transportation Committee. And the bill will go through a House subcommittee chaired by Rep. Peter DeFazio, D-Ore., who represents bike-friendly Eugene and says he is the only former bike mechanic in Congress. Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., is the first major presidential candidate to promote cycling in his policy platform, and bike industry leaders recently hosted a fundraiser for him.

Meanwhile, Oregon Gov. Ted Kulongoski is working on his own package for the 2009 Legislature to create what he calls the "greenest transportation system in the country."

Two-wheeler highways

Though trails are more expensive than on-street bikeways, advocates say they can act as highways for bicycles, providing car-free routes that are particularly attractive to less-experienced riders. They are also important in the suburbs, which tend not to have dense street-grid systems as in Portland, where cyclists can get to their destinations on quieter roads.

Bragdon said the committee is looking at trails that serve recreational and commuting needs. For example, he'd like to pave the Springwater Corridor Trail beyond Gresham -- taking users to the foot of the Cascades. Another proposal to build a trail from the Gateway District through Sullivan's Gulch could funnel thousands of bike and pedestrian commuters downtown, he said. And he noted that the Tualatin Hills Park & Recreation District sent a $100 million bond measure to the November ballot that includes money for trails for both recreation and transportation.

The money to accomplish any of this is uncertain, particularly as there are big transportation shortfalls at all levels of government and voters are wary of ideas like raising the gas tax when they already pay so much at the pump.

Adams said he knows his road maintenance proposal will be a hard sell with voters already feeling pinched by high gas prices. He said he will receive results this week of a new poll gauging voter interest in the road maintenance package, which would cost $464 million and be financed by a fee added to water and sewer bills. Homeowners would pay $4.54 a month, and businesses would pay based on their size and vehicle trips they generate.

Adams has already sidelined the package once after opponents threatened to refer it to the May ballot. Even if he doesn't go ahead with the full package, Adams said, he will still push to build additional bike boulevards -- many of which can be done at a minimal cost.

Bicycle diplomacy

While cycling advocates and their allies in government are looking for more money for bikeways, they're also working to improve relations out on the street.

Scott Bricker, executive director of the Bicycle Transportation Alliance, said the road-rage incidents that receive so much media attention are rare and run counter to the "high level of respect" he sees from motorists when he's out bicycling around town.

Still, his group has launched an "eye to eye" campaign aimed at encouraging motorists and cyclists to be more courteous and to obey the law.

Most do. The disquiet among cyclists and motorists belies the fact that Portland's streets have become safer over the past decade. Greg Raisman, a traffic safety specialist for the city, said overall traffic deaths have dropped from 59 in 1996 to 29 in 2007, and traffic-related injuries have dropped as well.

During that time, the city has done a lot to slow traffic speeds, including expanding the use of photo radar and red-light cameras, and installing more speed bumps. The city, which put in its first speed bump in 1991, now has 1,050 of them, according to Will Stevens, the traffic-calming manager for Portland's Office of Transportation.

Police also regularly conduct stings at intersections to catch both motorists and cyclists who run red lights and stop signs, which Raisman said are high on the list of crash causes.

Tom Vanderbilt, author of the upcoming book "Traffic: Why We Drive the Way We Do and What It Says About Us," said people fall into predictable habits on the road and find it hard to accept a changing mix of users.

"We're having to make so many decisions at such speed," he said, "there is a lot of room for stereotyping and habit formation just to prevent us from being overwhelmed."

Adams, who will become mayor in January, said part of his job will be continuing to jawbone Portlanders to drive and ride more courteously.

"Sorry, it's trite but true: Share the fricking road, people," he said. "And when it's hot out, understand that everyone is a little irritable."

Jeff Mapes is the author of the upcoming book "Pedaling Revolution: How Cyclists Are Changing American Cities," to be published next year by Oregon State University Press.

Jeff Mapes: 503-221-8209; jeffmapes@news.oregonian.com

©2008 Oregonian

Traffic-free travel from the Steel Bridge to St Johns?

2008-07-17T07:07:00.001-07:00

061108_BlueRibbon 163
Originally uploaded by npGREENWAY

Brown Bag Lunch Today:

If you liked Sunday Parkways' 6 miles of traffic-free space, you'll love the North Portland Greenway. Come hear what's being done to build a walk and bike path extending the Eastbank Esplanade from the Steel Bridge to St Johns and on to the Columbia River.

Presenters:
Francie Royce and Scott Mizee from npGreenway (www.npgreenway.org)
*** *** ***
Thursday, July 17th, 12:00 - 1:00 pm
Portland Building
1120 SW 5th Avenue, 2d floor
(bring your lunch!)

See Bicycle Brown Bag webpage for more information.

Thanks! ||North Portland Greenway Trail and Beach Cleanup

2008-07-16T11:46:00.001-07:00

UofPShoreline 042
Originally uploaded by npGREENWAY

Swan Islanders and friends,

On behalf of the resident geese, white crown sparrows, osprey, swallows, crows, and of course Swan Island employees, many thanks to volunteers from the surrounding community, npGreenway, Swan Island Business Association, City of Portland North Portland Neighborhood Services, McDonald's and Daimler Trucks NA for last Saturday's clean up of the Greenway Trail and adjacent beach on Swan Island.

Over a dozen volunteers removed litter, Styrofoam, tires and other debris left by visitors and the river's high water over the winter. In the 20 plus years that I have walked the trail and observed the beach, I have never seen it so clean and welcoming. Check it out.

Look for a another clean up opportunity this fall as part of the the Greenway Trail art installation. Date TBD.

Again, thanks,

Lenny Anderson, Swan Island Business Association

http://www.npgreenway.org
http://www.swanislandtma.org/pages/projects.htm
http:/npgreenway.blogspot.com

info@npgreenway.org

Barge Launch View from Swan Island

2008-07-10T06:36:00.001-07:00

Barge Launch View from Swan Island
Originally uploaded by npGREENWAY

Greenway Trail | River Bank Clean Up & Ocean Going Barge Launch
Saturday, July 12th 9:00am - 1:00pm

Meet in the McDonald’s parking lot, N Going Street and Port Center Way (left at first light).

As high water recedes, the banks of the Willamette River along Swan Island accumulate a lot of debris. Join your neighbors in cleaning up debris along the bank and litter along the Willamette Greenway Trail on Swan Island. Then take a break and….

* explore the entire one mile of built trail on Swan Island and learn more about npGREENWAY's efforts to extend the trail from the Eastbank Esplanade to St. Johns and the Columbia River.
* catch a view of birds (Osprey, White Crown Sparrows) and other wildlife.
* experience the thrill of a new ocean going barge being launched across the river at Gunderson at 11:00am

Bring leather gloves and wear boots or heavy shoes; sponsors will provide lighter latex gloves and garbage bags. Restrooms and refreshments available.

Sponsored by Swan Island Business Association in cooperation with
North Portland Neighborhood Services and npGREENWAY.

Sunday Parkways a HUGE success!

2008-06-24T13:53:00.000-07:00

If you weren't able to make it out to the 6 miles of streets that were opened up to walkers, skaters, cyclists and active people of all ages, you missed out! There were thousands of people filling the streets of North Portland in an unprecedented event in North America. If you WERE there, then you know what I am talking about.

npGREENWAY was there near the Overlook Bowl spreading the good news and earning support for the future connected trail system we see along the Willamette River.

Check out this great video from Streetfilms.org:

and if you'd like window into the original Cyclovia in Bogotá, Columbia take a look at this other Streetfilms video as well!

I LOVE PORTLAND!!!!!

as always, J. Maus at BikePortland.org has a great article with plenty of reader comments as well.

Give us your feedback. What did you think about Sunday Parkways? Should Portland plan more? What could be done better? What was already the best? How does this type of activity effect our regional trail system and Connecting Green?

Also, it is critical to give elected officials your feedback:
mayorpotter@ci.portland.or.us
dsaltzman@ci.portland.or.us
samadams@ci.portland.or.us
Nick@ci.portland.or.us
rleonard@ci.portland.or.us

Pedalpalooza Kickoff Parade!-39.jpg

2008-06-13T05:40:00.001-07:00

Pedalpalooza Kickoff Parade!-39.jpg
Originally uploaded by BikePortland.org

The fun has begun! Checkout Pedalpalooza.org for more information. Pick up one of these great event calendars in the Portland Mercury. See you on the streets!

|| npGREENWAY no 020 || Newsletter :: Connecting Green Bike Ride :: npG at Sunday Parkways ::

2008-06-10T08:14:00.001-07:00

npGREENWAY Newsletter

North Portland Greenway Trail Advocacy
2008 June 10 Issue no 020

Connecting Green Bike Ride Tomorrow!

Wednesday, June 11th 4:30pm - 7pm

This guided bike ride will depart Metro Regional Center at 600 NE Grand Ave at 4:30pm.

Route maps and brochures will be provided. We will loosely follow the future trail route down the river to Swan Island and on to Metro’s property at Willamette Cove. This ride is part of Metro Parks & Greenspaces Connecting Green 2008 Summer (walking and bicycle) Trail Tours.

To register - or for more information - contact Robert Spurlock at robert.spurlock@oregonmetro.gov or (503) 757-1083.

We look forward to seeing you there!

Sunday Parkways coming to North Portland
Sunday, June 22nd 8:00pm - 2pm

Volunteers are needed to help out at our booth on June 22nd. Sunday Parkways
Six miles of local streets in North Portland will be closed to traffic from 8am to 2pm. Different shifts available. Contact Francie Royce at froyce@comcast.net for more information or to volunteer.

npGREENWAY
St Johns to the Esplanade

Go To npGREENWAY.org»
or our blog at: npgreenway.blogspot.com»

You are receiving this email because you are currently registered at npGREENWAY.org. This particular message may have been forwarded to other lists to receive wide distribution. Please accept our apologies if you received it twice.

If you would like to be removed from all future npGREENWAY.org newsletters, unsubscribe here.

Wedding by Bike 2008

2008-05-31T09:07:00.001-07:00

Wedding 2008
Originally uploaded by mindcaster

When will we see this in Stumptown?

Wedding 2008
Originally uploaded by mindcaster

...and this? Look at that wedding party parade!

Lessons from our Past | More Car Based Infrastructure?

2008-05-24T09:20:00.000-07:00

I came across this great video this morning about the defeat of the Mt Hood Freeway. It speaks volumes about what we can learn from our past. It reminds me of the current momentum for the Columbia River Crossing and also how we shape North Portland with the upcoming River Plan. Thanks to Clarence and Streetfilms for consistently producing such great work!

River Plan / North Reach || Discussion Draft Released

2008-05-23T19:43:00.001-07:00

River Plan / North Reach || Discussion Draft Title Sheet
Originally uploaded by npGREENWAY

It has been three years in the making; The Discussion Draft For the North Reach portion of the River Plan was released today.

This is an exciting step as this future document will guide development and conservation along this unique portion of the Willamette River. To download and view the entire document click the link here: (note the large file size may take a while to download)

River Plan / North Reach Discussion Draft (PDF Document, 39,259kb) - May 23, 2008
For discussion at the River Plan Committee Meeting on June 5

Today's issue of the River Plan News had this to say:

The River Team is pleased to announce the release of the River Plan/North Reach: Discussion Draft which is now posted to the River Plan website. The draft includes a wide range of recommendations that have been developed in consultation with stakeholders, topic experts and the community. Recommendations include new and continuing programs, process improvements, partnerships, infrastructure investments and zoning code amendment concepts. The Discussion Draft does not include final code language, but should provide a good understanding of the types of code amendments that will be included in the Planning Commission draft to be released in August. Please visit the River Plan website at http://www.portlandonline.com/planning/index.cfm?c=42227 to view and download the document.

The River Plan Committee wants your feedback!

The River Plan Committee will take public comment on the draft at their June 5 meeting. You can also email comments to the River Team at riverplan@ci.portland.or.us. Public comments are due by June 12, 2008.

River Plan Committee Meeting
Thursday, June 5, 5:00 to 8:00 PM
Bureau of Planning,
1900 SW 4th Avenue (at Hall St.), 7th Floor, Room 7a

More information about River Plan Committee, including meeting agendas and minutes, can be found on the River Plan website by clicking here: http://www.portlandonline.com/planning/index.cfm?c=42556&

Please come to the comment meeting and/or e-mail your comments regarding the greenway trail portion of the plan to riverplan@ci.portland.or.us npGREENWAY, would of course, also welcome your e-mail questions and concerns.

Have a great Memorial Day Weekend!

River Plan / North Reach Discussion Draft (PDF Document, 39,259kb) - May 23, 2008
For discussion at the River Plan Committee Meeting on June 5

Connecting Green

2008-05-19T06:08:00.001-07:00

Connecting Green
Originally uploaded by npGREENWAY

npGREENWAY is excited to be participating in Connecting Green. Connecting Green is a region wide initiative among organizations with overlapping goals to "create the world's greatest systems of parks, trails, and natural areas."
This is a high goal, but given our natural heritage, one that we believe is achievable. Click on the link to watch a video created by Metro staff for the first meeting of the "Blue Ribbon Committee for Trails." Thanks to Metro for creating such a great kick-off video. We are excited to see how the Blue Ribbon Committee progresses.
Connecting Green Blue Ribbon Trails Video.

From Metro:

"Blue Ribbon Committee for Trails

"On April 24, 2008 the Metro Council confirmed members of a Blue Ribbon Committee for Trails of civic, elected and business leaders to propose a funding strategy to complete the region's network of bicycle and walking trails.

"Watch the "Connecting green" video. Portland is known as one of the most bicycle and walking friendly metropolitan areas in the US. The committee will review the benefits that the region receives from this distinction and the benefits that could accrue if the regional trail system were fully built out."

Action Alert! Cleanup our Riverbank this Saturday!

2008-05-12T09:40:00.001-07:00

Riverbank Cleanup Map 08
Originally uploaded by npGREENWAY

This is a great opportunity to come out and see the future location of the North Willamette Greenway as well as giving back to the community and meeting your neighbors. Please see the flyer in the link below for more information.

|||||
http://www.flickr.com/photos/npgreenway/2486255041/
|||||

This event is being organized by the Portland Harbor Master:

WHEN: Saturday, May 17, from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m

WHAT: Trash pick up along the shores of the Willamette River in the downtown Portland area. We will be bagging the trash, putting it on boats and sending it to a barge carrying dumpsters. Help is needed in all aspects, pickers, boaters (both to transport trash and to access steep areas), and throwers on the barge.

WHERE: From the Sellwood Bridge to Swan Island

HOW: To participate in this event please call (503)823-3780 or e-mail rpratt@fire.ci.portland.or.us and request an assignment – We need your help to make our river and city healthy and more beautiful !!

New CycleSeen Poster by Emily

2008-05-11T08:16:00.001-07:00

Poster by Emily
Originally uploaded by Kevin Wagoner

I'm excited about this event. Hope to see many of you there!
-Scott

From CycleSeen.org:

Bridging communities of cyclists, photographers and artists

We are proud to announce a new event in Portland's prominent bike culture. Cycle Seen is an exhibition of photographs, artwork and documentation representing the bicycle culture in Metro Portland. This project is a celebration of the bike community through pictures. Portland has an astonishingly diverse and unique community of cyclists ranging from daily commuters to bike performance groups. There are various sub-cultures that make up the dynamic mix of PDX cyclists.

The exhibition will include a combination of materials from invited photographers/artists and images selected from a call for submissions. Photographs and illustrations that represent a snapshot of cycling in PDX over the last two years will be displayed through out the city at various locations during the month of June. The locations will allow an intertwining of communities, artists and cyclists. A bike map/route and location guide will be availbe to download and at various location by the end of May.

npGREENWAY

Charlie Hales on the Willamette Greenway

Thoughts from Candidates of the 2012 Election on the Greenway Trail

North Lombard Street – North Marine Drive re-opens after bridge construction

Waud Bluff Under Construction

News of Waud Bluff and Baltimore Woods

Waud Bluff Trail Construction is Begining!

Volunteers need for pedestrian and bicycle counts

Pier Park Bridge Progress Reported

Volunteer Opportunity with npGreenway

North Portland Greenway Trail Alignment Meeting

Latest Balitmore Woods Acquisition

Preview the North Portland Greenway Trail Alignment Project

npGREENWAY Trail Ride Video

OPEN HOUSE/ANNUAL MEETING

Friends of Baltimore Woods and npGREENWAY Celebrate new Land Purchase

Turn Ramp Here

Visionary Voyage a big success!

Did you see the new multi-use-path on N. Lombard near Kelley Point Park/Marine Drive?

3rd Annual npGREENWAY Pedalpalooza Ride!

Waud Bluff Trail Temporarily Open until August or September

Celebrate Great Blue Heron Week with Events around Portland

1st Annual npGREENWAY Volunteer Bike Tour

Updated: Breakfast on the Bridge with Swan Island TMA

Join Us for a Paddle June 3rd

no 44 || 1st Annual Volunteers Tour | Breakfast on Swan Island Bridge and more... npGREENWAY

Sharrow!

Update: slide show | U of P Engineering Students Present Trail Design Recommendations

Come See npGREENWAY at the St Johns Bizarre & Parade today!

Overlook Clean Up Today!

NW Trail Alliance Kicks off Portland Trail Fest!

Today! Peninsula Crossing Trail Annual SOLV-IT Cleanup Day

First Annual npGREENWAY Volunteers' Tour

EVENT: Intertwine Alliance Spring Meeting and Release of Bi-State Trail Plan

npGREENWAY on the KBOO Bike Show

Happy Trails Update from Portland Parks

River Plan 2nd City Council Hearing Today

Next River Plan City Council Hearing Agenda Items

Baltimore Woods leaps forward with funding from Nature in the Neighborhoods Grant

Support River Plan at City Council Meeting

no 40 || npGREENWAY annual "get together"

npGREENWAY annual "get together"

Saturday, January 9th 3:00-5:00 pm

npGreenway Headlines Oregonian's In Portland Section

Celebrate the newly installed Big Pipe Portal trail sculpture on Swan Island

caution: families on the road!

no 35 || eNEWSLETTER : IT'S AN EXCITING WEEKEND!

npGREENWAY Pedalpalooza Bike Ride

Sunday Parkways is BACK!

Northwest Trail Alliance - A "new" group with "experience"

Creating the Greatest System of Parks, Trails, and Natural Areas!

Cycling Through History

Portland Bike Rush Hour featured on New York City's Streetfilms

Check it out below:

Portland: Bike Rush Hour on the Hawthorne Bridge

Oregonian publishes article about new sculpture gateway on existing North Portland Greenway Trail

18-foot sculpture hails Big Pipe project

by Michael Bales, special to The Oregonian Thursday April 23, 2009, 7:00 AM

Come make your VOICE heard on how Interstate Corridor Urban Renewal Funds should or should not be used in the Rose Quarter Redevelopment

Rose Quarter Redevelopment Plans Must Include Pedestrian & Bike Access through Greenway

Build Less Bridge CRC Opposition and Alternatives Rally Map

4/18/2009 Cathedral Park 2nd Annual "Earth Day at the Beach" Project

Crane Swings Big Pipe Portal Into Place on Swan Island Greenway Trail

npGREENWAY on Travel Oregon Blog

Metro Needs assistance with Trail Counting

Portlanders are lobbying for Bikes in D.C.

no 33 || Great News!! $444,800 approved for North Willamette Greenway Plan

no 032 || Waud Bluff Trail needs to be part of Fed Stimulus Funding

Local Architect and Blue Ribbon Trail Committee Member has vision of Portland full of bike paths and trails amongst other things

Join the effort to encourage more bike and pedestrian projects

The letter below came from the 1000 friends of Oregon Website. They are spearheading a campaign to get the federal economic recovery act to spend more money on bike and pedestrian projects.

Send an email to Governor Kulongoski

Connecting Green Meeting Tonight

Baltimore Woods and Old Growth Oak Trees Walk

Help us finish strong!

From the Streetfilms blog: Earl Blumenauer talks transit, stimulus, bikes and Obama

Rail and Trails existing together...another local example

Here today.... gone tomorrow?

inauguration from space | people? or ants?

This Bridge Needs to be BUILT!!!

by Michael Bales, special to The Oregonian
Thursday April 23, 2009, 7:00 AM