Category: Community

Community, Demolition

Old Golf Structures Razed for Bird Alliance Development

On September 17th, demolition crews razed a long-term nuisance structure across NE 82nd Avenue from Leodis V. McDaniel High School, clearing the way for the Bird Alliance of Oregon’s future facility. In late 2024, the nonprofit organization purchased a 12.51-acre property on NE 82nd Avenue to restore much of the land to its native habitat with nature trails and park space for public use, while creating a habitat for the birds in their care.

A sign that reads 'Miniature Golf' is partially obscured by trees, indicating the former location of a mini-golf course.

For decades, this overgrown field was known for the graffiti-covered remnants of a golf driving range built on top of a landfilled quarry. For most passersby, all they observed was an abandoned building at 2806 NE 82nd Avenue, situated next to a tall, grassy field. Hidden inside the overgrown brush was the collapsing structure of a half-moon driving range. Several fires in the former “Pro Shop” administrative building, located off NE 82nd Avenue, further complicated its demolition, necessitating adjustments to address the disposal of materials. However, last month crews completed the removal of this site’s golf past. Future rehabilitation projects will address its former landfill uses.

A cleared field with remnants of a demolished structure, surrounded by trees and a blue sky, near NE 82nd Avenue.
Light pols mark former golf driving range structure

The site originally served as a quarry before its owners began filling the hole with discarded material. The Rose City Sand and Gravel company excavated an 80-foot-deep hole in the center of the site during its many years in operation. Around 1972, site owners converted operations to support the H.G. LaVelle landfill. Over the next ten years, they filled the pit with construction debris, including wood products, metals, and rock fragments, comprising approximately 2 million cubic yards of solid waste. Landfill deposits included rubble from the construction of Interstate-205. When the landfill closed in 1982, operators covered the site with a clay cap, installing a landfill gas extraction unit and methane monitoring equipment to treat decomposing organic material. Building a substantial structure over the clay cap takes significant engineering and costs that are impractical. However, the perimeter of the former pit is stable ground, making it suitable for conventional construction.

Debris from a demolished structure piled high in a construction area, with a sign for 'Great Floors' in the background and machinery nearby under a clear blue sky.
Remnants of golf Pro Shop building at 2806 NE 82nd Ave after demolition

The Bird Alliance of Oregon intends to cover the clay-capped landfill with several feet of additional soil to support the root structure of native trees and plants. This phase of work will transform the property’s nature and provide a clean slate for habitat restoration. Later stages will involve the installation of solar panels along the property’s southern edge and the eventual development of a Bird Alliance administrative building and wildlife hospital, which the organization plans to build along NE 82nd Avenue.

The renewable energy production at this site is supported by Portland Clean Energy Fund (PCEF) grants, with additional support from APANO, the Bonneville Environmental Foundation, and the Bird Alliance of Oregon, enabling the installation of a two-acre community solar array on a sloped section of the property. This solar energy collection program will offset utility costs for around 200 low-income community members over the next twenty years and power the Bird Alliance of Oregon’s new Wildlife Care Center on NE 82nd Avenue.

A sunlit view of a sloped, overgrown field with dry grass and scattered trees, showcasing a residential area in the background against a clear blue sky.
Slopped souther edge of property to support two-acre community solar array

Area residents can expect to see more site investments around the Bird Alliance of Oregon’s property, starting with securing access and then earth-moving work to support the organization’s planting initiatives. Eventually, the location will become a learning resource for the area’s schoolchildren and a natural retreat for those living in the vicinity of the vast, undeveloped site.

Article and photos by

Jacob Loeb

Promotion: Montavilla News is supported by contributions from businesses like Greg Beddor – SEO Specialist, an Oregon based digital marketing consultancy. The company markets customer’s websites and provide SEO services to grow their business. We thank them for their support.

Community, Government

Burn Ban Lifted in Time for Fall Fire Pits

On October 1st, Portland’s Fire Marshal lifted the citywide burn ban just in time for autumn outdoor recreation. The seasonal prohibition on recreational campfires, fire pits, and burning yard debris began on June 23rd; however, rules still permitted the use of outdoor grills, smokers, and similar cooking appliances. As Halloween approaches, and residents attempt to hold onto outdoor activities, more neighborhood gatherings center around the open flame for warmth and ambiance.

Although the Fire Marshal has lifted the burn ban, Portland Fire & Rescue’s leadership continues to ask people to follow fire safety rules. Residents should exercise extreme caution when using outdoor cooking devices or open flames and place them at least ten feet away from anything combustible, such as siding, fences, or shrubbery. People should only burn dried cordwood, keeping the flame shorter than 24 inches tall and contained in a raised fire pit or otherwise encircled. Officials also advise that Portlanders should have an extinguishing plan with an outstretched garden hose or filled water pails nearby, and never leave a fire or outdoor cooker unattended. Charcoal briquette ashes should be stored in a covered metal container away from combustibles after use, with residents keeping the ashes wet for a few days before disposing of them.

Many Portlanders find outdoor fires an essential part of their fall rituals. Still, for the safety of the community, people need to use caution, particularly as we adjust to drier seasons and shifting weather patterns. Individuals can contact Portland Fire & Rescue at 503-823-3700 for additional information about outdoor fire safety and rules.

Article and photo by

Jacob Loeb

Promotion: Check out East Portland News as it continues to advocate for and report on outer East Portland. You will find frequently updated articles and an archive of more than 5,000 stories written over the past 20+ years alongside a robust Community Calendar of events.

Community, Government, Services

JOIN Expanding Day Space Hours

At the end of September, the nonprofit JOIN expanded operating hours at its day center through a partnership with the City of Portland. For over a decade, the organization dedicated to transitioning individuals and families experiencing houselessness into stable housing has operated from 1435 NE 81st Avenue, a block behind NE 82nd Avenue near Interstate 84. With the addition of weekday hours and new weekend services starting October 4th, City officials believe this location can meet a critical need in the shelter system, as Mayor Keith Wilson expands efforts to end unsheltered homelessness in Portland.

JOIN says it serves 80 to 100 individuals and families weekly at its Montavilla Day Space, which previously opened from 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. With the new City partnership, they will greet guests from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. On Tuesdays and Thursdays, JOIN staff will open an hour later at 10 a.m. and close an hour earlier at 4 p.m., but still longer than pre-partnership operating hours. Starting in October, JOIN Day Space will open for the first time on weekends from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., filling an often missing gap in day center services.

Day centers are a critical component of the congregate shelter system, which does not provide dedicated individual facilities for people, unlike the recently opened sleeping pod sites in the area. JOIN’s Day Space, which they call “The House,” is a drop-in service center providing access to meals, restrooms, showers, laundry facilities, and hygiene products. People visiting regularly can also use it as a mailing address, a vital function for anyone trying to access supportive programs, reissue documents, or reconnect with people in their lives. The Day Space hosts weekly onsite medical services, providing a resource that can help reduce the use of the emergency medical system by unsheltered people. Additional services center around assistance with employment and addressing substance use disorder. Staff there can also provide support with navigating system resources, so willing families and individuals can work towards finding consistent shelter and eventually stable housing.

Exterior view of the JOIN Day Center with a colorful mural featuring a mountain and trees, a red structure in front, and seating area visible.
JOIN Day Space at 1435 NE 81st Avenue, Suite 100 (Jacob Loeb)

JOIN’s other work focuses on placing people with housing insecurities within stable housing. Their Primary Leasing work helps adults and families access private market units when they have significant barriers to housing by taking on responsibility for the rental through a direct relationship with the leasing company or property owner. They promote the Housing First approach, where they work to secure people in shelter and then continue to support them in addressing the issues that impact their ability to remain housed.

Day center placement can become polarizing within communities as some residents feel it attracts an outsized concentration of people with behavioral or substance use issues to their block. However, Day Centers provide a safe space for unsheltered Portlanders to care for themselves off the streets and in a facility where staff can offer support in making positive changes to their situation. In this instance, JOIN’s Day Space is well established in its location and is only expanding its operating hours. For people reliant on its services, this daily schedule should help people without consistent housing stay clean and safe during the daytime.

Article and photos by

Jacob Loeb

Community, Construction, Food and Drink

Rebuilding Portland Mercado for a Summer 2026 Reopening

In January 2024, a fire destroyed Barrio Bar and damaged the surrounding Portland Mercado building at 7238 SE Foster Road. Since then, Portland residents have eagerly awaited the dining destination’s restoration and worried as the once vibrant space sat empty. Repair work and improvements began in May, with Summit Reconstruction & Restoration crews continuing to work through the summer thanks to a Prosper Portland grant. The non-profit site operator, Hacienda CDC, recently began fundraising to complete the needed repairs that include enhancements to the space. The organization is currently soliciting tenant applications for the interior units, along with food cart operators to surround the property. When crews complete principal construction at the end of spring 2026, the improved two-story building will feature a new commissary kitchen, enhanced community gathering areas, a ground-floor bar, and rooftop bar space with adjacent terrace seating. Later in summer 2026, after tenants have settled into the space and crews complete site work, the Portland Mercado will welcome back guests for a grand reopening.

This current fundraising effort is the second request for post-fire public support. The Portland Mercado Fire Relief Fund closed in January 2024 after raising a reported $255,726 from individuals, businesses, and foundations. That money helped the displaced operators and did not contribute meaningfully to the reconstruction efforts. Now the project needs additional support from community members and grants to realize the plans for a rebuilt and improved destination on SE Foster Road.

Construction site at Portland Mercado with a blue dumpster, wood planks, and a building under restoration.

Matt Kebbe, with Hacienda CDC, explained that the new space will build upon the successes of its past iterations, while also aiming to enhance the food hall and cart pod property to accommodate more guests and provide opportunities for expanded site activation. He anticipates collaborating with future tenants to create space for a coffee shop or bakery, allowing the Mercado to open earlier than its traditional lunch and dinner service. They are also looking to cultivate a chef’s table type space for experiential dining. “I think if we can pull off an inside chef’s counter, that would be really exciting, and the neighborhood would enjoy seeing that. It could be a space where we host pop-ups. So, a chef could do a residency there for a month or two, or whatever duration they’re interested in. It also gives us an opportunity to showcase some up-and-coming chefs and give them an opportunity to present their food to people,” said Kebbe.

Although the Portland Mercado will feature new tenants, the operators have an interest in seeing as many of the former occupants return as feasible. The displaced businesses include Havana Station, Fernando’s Alegria, Principe Maya, Tierra del Sol, Que Bacano, XoCOTL, Tita’s Kitchen, and Barrio. Some of the culturally rich culinary destinations impacted show intentions of returning next year based on their social media and websites. However, other operators have found new locations or other work. Barrio Bar’s owner, Chris Shimamoto, took a position at the Publican Beer Room within the Collective Oregon Eateries (CORE) food hall on SE 82nd Avenue. He continues to cultivate his community at CORE, and former regulars still make the track to his new professional home.

Rendering of the Portland Mercado, featuring a two-story structure with vibrant pink and blue colors, outdoor seating areas, and a rooftop terrace.
Rebuilt Portland Mercado building rendering courtesy Hacienda CDC

The rebuilt Portland Mercado building will offer divisible space for six or seven tenants inside the structure. The most significant expansion of the commercial space comes from converting the second-story office area into a second bar location that will extend into a covered rooftop terrace. Kebbe explained that they hope a single tenant will run the upper and lower bar service. The management group is also considering reorienting the food cart stalls to expand to the edges and face inward. That would help buffer the space from traffic and add more safety to guests. “I would like to enclose the whole property and create a courtyard out there, so the food carts would reorient towards the sides and towards the roads. We could put some fake leaves [on a fence], or find the funds to build a really gorgeous wall and provide more of a security component to it and a barrier from traffic for the safety of families and small children,” Kebbe said.

Exterior view of the Portland Mercado featuring construction barriers, signage, and a structure undergoing renovations.
Food cart pod covering in old configuration

Work on restoring the main building, which the fire significantly damaged, is progressing according to City-approved plans, aiming to have the tenant take over the space. Those businesses will take over the remainder of the finishing process to meet the specific needs of that group. However, some of the future site enhancements are dependent on financial support from the community and grants Hacienda CDC will pursue. “We’re just really excited for the Mercado 2.0. We think it’s going to be a great opportunity for us to not only bring back things in a way that the community members remember, but we have some improvements that we think that’s going to make it an even better experience,” said Kebbe. However, he noted, “fundraising is really critical to keep the project rolling at this point.”

Kebbe explained that the Portland Mercado is more than a food cart pod and commercial space, requiring other sources of funding than a traditional business location. The operation has maintained a focus on creating accessible opportunities for small businesses breaking into foodservice entrepreneurship. “We’re trying to figure out how to help people create businesses. There’s always been an ethos of the Mercado that has been an incubator or a jumping-off point for people. We’re not envisioning this in an incubator model but still providing opportunities for people to get in and experience running a business in a convenient turnkey environment.”

Banner announcing the reopening of Portland Mercado in Spring 2026, featuring an artistic rendering of the renovated building in pink and blue, with people gathered on a patio.

Work on the Portland Mercado will continue well into 2026, but site operators are exploring ways to bring some cart vendors on-site before the project’s completion. Kebbe noted that having early tenants is complicated due to construction schedules and worker access, but he would like to see the site active again as soon as possible. He also wants to restore the space as a community resource, where it can host farmers’ markets and other events for the growing population in the area. People should expect significant progress to be completed in spring 2026, followed by places opening to customers in the summer months.

Article and photos by

Jacob Loeb

Community

Curb-less Street Tree Planting Program

Last year, Portland Parks & Recreation’s (PP&R) Urban Forestry division began planting new street trees throughout Montavilla as part of a program to increase the urban tree canopy. Contractors working for the City placed most of the new trees in the planting strip between the sidewalk and curb. This year, Urban Forestry expanded the tree planning program to incorporate areas with few trees on streets without sidewalks or curbs. People will still need to plant trees in the front of the property in an accessible space where City-paid watering crews and arborists can visit the tree for upkeep. Montavilla and nine other neighborhood residents have until October 31st to volunteer their property to host a free street tree by completing an online form.

Planting street trees in areas without discernible boundaries can be challenging, unlike past efforts that occurred in spaces designated for street-side greenery. When people volunteer to participate, crews working with Urban Forestry will determine the best planting location that avoids underground utilities, overhead lines, or placement that could inhibit future sidewalk construction plans. People can optionally state a tree species preference from the 2025 Trees for Residential Streets list. Still, the final selection is made based on availability and its potential to grow well in the space provided. The list contains most tree types with the ability to thrive in Portland’s changing climate. They are low-maintenance and drought-tolerant while also resisting blight from pests and disease.

A close-up of a green informational tag attached to a tree, identifying it as a Redmond Linden (Tilia americana 'Redmond'), along with details about the benefits the tree provides and contact information for Portland Parks & Recreation.

Participants in the program receive multi-year support and have choices where crews plant their new trees. Contractors will water and prune trees during the critical first three years of growth. Then pruners will return at years five and ten to keep the tree growth healthy. People will also have options on where the free trees reside, subject to certain limitations. Urban Forestry staff will visit the property and mark the proposed planting locations with white spray paint based on the participant’s indicated locations. Then the resident can decline the planting or ask for a location change if it is not what they wanted.

A newly planted tree secured with wooden stakes and mulch, located in a grassy area alongside a sidewalk in a residential neighborhood.
Portland’s street Tree planning efforts in 2024

The Urban Forestry planting season runs from November 15th to March 31st for people who sign up before October 31st. Residents on curb-less streets in the Brentwood Darlington, Centennial, Glenfair, Hazelwood, Lents, Powelhurst-Gilbert, Mill Park, Parkrose, Parkrose Heights, and Montavilla neighborhoods can participate. Adding trees is often attributed to increased mental and physical well-being, as well as improving the appearance of an area. Proponents of this expanded program hope it will make the dispersal of the urban tree canopy more equitable and accessible for all of Portland.

Article and photos by

Jacob Loeb

Promotion: Check out East Portland News as it continues to advocate for and report on outer East Portland. You will find frequently updated articles and an archive of more than 5,000 stories written over the past 20+ years alongside a robust Community Calendar of events.

Community, Entertainment, Event

Play Streets Coming to SE 79th on Three Sundays

On Sunday, September 14th, SE 79th Avenue will close to traffic from SE Stark Street to SE Pine Street for a family-friendly event series called Play Streets. The national nonprofit Playworks is partnering with the Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT) to present a free three-part gathering in the Montavilla neighborhood, running from 10 a.m. to noon. Organizers will create a car-free play zone for kids, families, and neighbors during those two hours, then return on Sunday, September 28th and October 19th to do it all over again.

Sign indicating 'No Parking' during the Play Streets event on SE 79th Avenue, with scheduled dates and times.

Play Streets began appearing in Portland when PBOT’s Streets team launched the program in 2018, joining a nationwide movement to create a safe space for kids to play in the street. The pandemic paused the program until its return in 2023. Past events included bounce houses, chalk art, basketball games, giant Jenga, snacks, and music. American Rescue Plan Act funding in 2024 supported a City program for nonprofits to host the Play Street series.

This upcoming series is open to all ages, and organizers encourage adults to play alongside the kids. The play area will extend the already well-used Montavilla Plaza near Threshold Brewing & Blending. Alcohol consumption is not allowed inside the play area, and organizers ask that it remain smoke-free. Attendees will find games for kids of all ages alongside snacks, water, and music.

A street view of SE 79th Avenue with parked cars on either side, showing a clear sky and trees lining the street. A 'Dead End' sign is visible, indicating no vehicle access beyond a certain point, except for bicycles.
SE 79th Ave looking south from SE Pine St towards the Montavilla Plaza at SE Stark St

Organizers invite people with children and community members to stop by and see what the Play Street has to offer. The program aims to support communities with limited access to green areas, demonstrating how a car-free street can meet children’s play needs. More details are on the PBOT program’s webpage, and Montavilla News will update this article with information from the first Sunday event.

Article and photos by

Jacob Loeb

Promotion: Montavilla News is supported by contributions from businesses like Greg Beddor – SEO Specialist, an Oregon based digital marketing consultancy. The company markets customer’s websites and provide SEO services to grow their business. We thank them for their support.

Community, Services

Curbside Bulky Trash Pickup Calculator

Residents living in single-family homes, duplexes, triplexes, and fourplexes can now schedule curbside pickup of bulky items from their trash service at a predictable price point. People trying to dispose of something that won’t fit in a residential garbage bin have had limited choices, often with a substantial price tag, prompting some to place items on sidewalks with “free” signs to dispose of them. New city-set rates for curbside collection of large items make it easier for many Portlanders to properly unburden themselves from broken furniture, old mattresses, appliances, and other irregular waste.

Eligible households can contact their garbage and recycling company to schedule curbside pickup for large items, often referred to as bulky waste. After being assigned a special pickup day by the hauling service, people will then place the items at the curb by 6 a.m. on the scheduled day, but no more than 24 hours before pickup to avoid excessive rainwater contamination that can make items heavier and more challenging to handle. Collection companies could charge an additional fee if the pickup requires extra time or additional staff.

The City of Portland is currently promoting its bulky waste cost calculator, which allows people to view the expected collection cost for each item, along with a single-trip pickup fee of $18. Although they include many common examples—including a refrigerator collection cost of $51, a Water heater is $6, and a King mattress is $29—the garbage company decides which category each item falls into. If the item isn’t listed, it will estimate the price based on size or type. This tool is not an exact quote, but it offers many residents a reasonable option for budgeting when disposing of larger items.

The garbage service account holder must authorize the added cost of collection; therefore, some renters may need to contact their landlord to request pickup. People in apartments or businesses will need to check with the property manager about disposal options. If people have a transport vehicle, there are free options for disposing of mattresses through Bye Bye Mattress’s listing of drop-off locations or E-Cycle Oregon’s directory for responsibly disposing of unwanted electronics. People can pay less if they take their bulky waste items to a Metro Transfer Station for disposal, paying a fee based on weight and other factors. Additionally, a new Metro program allows people to recycle old mattresses and box springs for free, thanks to a 2022 Oregon Senate Bill.

The city-set rates for curbside collection of large items and bulky waste cost calculator can help people make an informed choice about how to dispose of items that are challenging to handle. The predictable prices and convenience of curbside collection could entice more residents to use the collection service and help reduce abandoned items on Portland Streets. Visit the Portland Bureau of Planning and Sustainability website for more information.

Article and photo by

Jacob Loeb

Community, Construction, Demolition

Demolition Clears Way for Sober Shelter Site at 1818 SE 82nd

On August 18th, demolition crews began razing the single-story sales office and shop at 1818 SE 82nd Avenue to make room for the second Multnomah County-owned shelter site in Montavilla. After workers remove the 1964-era single-story building, last used as an RV sales location, the Multnomah County Homeless Services Department will begin preparing the site to support a new sober shelter that Do Good Multnomah will operate. That development will take place during the 2025-2026 winter season, creating utility connections for 38 single-occupancy shelters with supporting portable sanitation and cooking facilities.

Construction site featuring a demolition crew working on a single-story building with large windows, surrounded by a fence and equipment.

Multnomah County purchased the former recreational vehicle dealership at 1818 SE 82nd Avenue in December 2022 for $2.015 million. This 34,000-square-foot parcel was the second Montavilla location the County bought that year for temporary shelter services. The other shelter, Oak Street Village at 333 SE 82nd Avenue, opened in February and is currently operating at full capacity. The Joint Office of Homeless Services — now renamed the Homeless Services Department — has held several community meetings, with the most recent meeting in April announcing that Do Good Multnomah would operate the site as a sober shelter. Presenters explained that residents and staff are subject to drug testing, and policy strictly prohibits the possession of non-prescribed intoxicants on the property.

A demolition excavator is actively tearing down a single-story building, while a worker in a red jumpsuit oversees the process. Debris is scattered around the site under a blue sky with some clouds.

Selecting a sober format meets a specific need for people transitioning into stable housing who are in recovery from substance use disorder, and it better matches community desires for the site, which is located near two schools. The project designers will set back the new seven-foot-high chain-link fence on SE Mill Street to allow for more sidewalk-adjacent plantings, providing a buffer space and allowing for greater resident privacy beyond the plastic fence inserts that will obscure sightlines from the street.

A demolition excavator is actively demolishing a single-story building, with debris scattered on the ground. A worker in a safety suit observes from the side, and the sky is partly cloudy.

Demolition work continues at the property for the rest of the week. Early plans intended to salvage portions of the wood roof structure above the glass curtain walls for reuse in covered outdoor amenities on the site. That level of salvage and reuse may prove challenging, but the methodical approach to tearing down this building could indicate the intention to preserve reusable materials.

Article and photos by

Jacob Loeb

Promotion: Montavilla News is supported by contributions from businesses like Otter Wax, a neighborhood producer of small-batch specialty goods handcrafted in Portland. Using only natural ingredients, they make modern care products that are steeped in tradition. We thank them for their support.

Community, Event

2025 Adult Soapbox Derby Aug 16

On Saturday, August 16th, the PDX Adult Soapbox Derby returns for its 26th year of gravity-induced fun. People will gather starting at 10 a.m. along SE Reservoir Loop Drive and locations around the Mt. Tabor Park course to watch contestants roll with increasing speed down the extinct urban volcano. Over 150 volunteers will assist racers and attendees on the derby day, which lasts until 4 p.m.

A colorful soapbox car shaped like a missile, driven by two people wearing costume heads and hats, racing down a path with spectators in the background.
PDX Adult Soapbox Derby 2024 (Jacob Loeb)

In the summer of 1997, Paul Zenk and Eric Foren loosely organized a small group of friends to race down Mt. Tabor’s winding roads in an event that would create the inaugural PDX Adult Soapbox Derby. The annual community gathering has grown yearly to include 42 racing teams and between 7,000 and 10,000 spectators. This free-to-attend day of races features highly engineered carts and some haphazardly crafted contraptions that all rely on gravity for propulsion. People wishing to attend should anticipate walking some distance to the event and bringing water or other refreshments. Some concession items and merchandise are available for purchase at the event.

A duo rides a creatively designed soapbox car down a sloped road, one holding a microphone while the other plays a guitar, in front of an audience watching the PDX Adult Soapbox Derby.
PDX Adult Soapbox Derby 2024 (Jacob Loeb)

In 2016, Justin James and his ‘Team Rusty Rocket’ secured the track’s fastest run at 71.10 seconds. Each year, participants put in significant work to create fast and thematically creative entries. Some carts travel up to 50 MPH down the paved park roads as they try to secure the quickest time or the biggest cheers. The Soapbox Derby is a family-friendly event, but volunteers must clear the track before each run for safety, and responsible adults need to remain close enough to ensure their children are out of the way when a race starts. Parking in the park and neighborhood is limited, and people should plan to bike, walk, or take transit.

Update: Pictures from the 2025 Adult Soapbox Derby

Article and photos by

Jacob Loeb

Promotion: Check out East Portland News as it continues to advocate for and report on outer East Portland. You will find frequently updated articles and an archive of more than 5,000 stories written over the past 20+ years alongside a robust Community Calendar of events.

Community, Event, Food and Drink

East Portland Sunday Parkway July 27

East Portland’s 2025 Sunday Parkways falls on the same day as the Montavilla Street Fair, July 27th. However, their proximity to each other could allow for an outdoor excursion of nearly car-free biking, followed by a stroll down a car-free section of SE Stark Street. The East Portland Parkway route covers a 4.5-mile path closed to most vehicle traffic, with volunteers helping to direct people rolling and walking through the streets from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Participants can start at any section of the path and travel between Gateway Discovery Park, Ventura Park, Lincoln Park, and Parklane Park. Each of the four park stops features local entertainment, community booths, and vendors.

Those looking to participate should connect with the planned route at a convenient point and follow the path as directed by the organizers. The route is as follows: “From Gateway Discovery Park, traveling along NE Wasco Street to 107th Avenue, 107th Avenue to Oregon Street, Oregon Street to 108th Avenue, 108th Avenue to Everett Street, Everett Street to 113th Avenue, 113th Avenue as it passes Ventura Park to SE Yamhill Street, Yamhill Street to 117th Street, 117th Street to Main Street, Main Street until it crosses 122nd Avenue, jogging slightly to continue on Salmon Street until 130th Avenue, 130th Avenue to Mill Street, then along Mill Street until it hits Lincoln Park. Traveling past Lincoln Park along Mill Street, North on 139th Street, and on SE Main Street traveling east until reaching Parklane Park.”

Map of East Portland's 4.5-mile Sunday Parkways route, indicating parks, streets, and event details.
Map courtesy of the City of Portland Sunday Parkways

Participants will need to watch for automotive traffic while crossing certain intersections where cars are permitted to pass through. These include NE Glisan Street, E Burnside Street, SE Stark Street, SE 122nd Avenue, SE Madison Street, SE 135th Avenue, 140th Avenue, and 148th Avenue. People can text “East” to 888-520-0526 for event updates.

Sunday Parkway events are family-friendly and a slow-paced way to explore the neighborhood while visiting Portland Parks. A large number of participants makes it safer for road users, but congestion and navigating novice riders require patience with a relaxed attitude. Plan to travel the whole route, but participants do not need to feel compelled to reach all the destinations; it is about fun, not mileage.

Article and photo by

Jacob Loeb

Promotion: Montavilla News is supported by contributions from businesses like Otter Wax, a neighborhood producer of small-batch specialty goods handcrafted in Portland. Using only natural ingredients, they make modern care products that are steeped in tradition. We thank them for their support.