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.
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.
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
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Work is well underway on constructing three curb ramps on SE Harrison Street between SE 76th and 75th Avenues. This July, crews working with the Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT) demolished old sidewalk infrastructure before reconstruction of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliant ramps on a route frequently used by pedestrians and cyclists accessing Mt. Tabor Park. This sidewalk corner reconstruction will complete accessible infrastructure work on this segment of SE Harrison Street, started in 2023. However, paved sidewalks on this street are functionally non-existent west of SE 75th Avenue through the park.
Portland Maps aerial view of SE Harrison St, SE 76th Ave, and 75th Ave with MV News red circles indicating work areas
The accessible curb ramp construction work is occurring at two “T” intersections, with the mid-block north-most parallel curb ramp recently completed. Engineers reserve this less common design for curb-tight sidewalks where there is not enough room for a level turning space at the top of the ramp. Instead of a single slope to the street, two opposing sidewalk ramps lower the sidewalk surface to a flat space that allows a person using a mobility device to turn 90 degrees before crossing at street level.
Parallel curb ramp on north side of SE Harrison St at SE 75th Ave
For north-south traveling pedestrians on the west side of SE 76th Avenue, the newly reconstructed southwest corner ramp will align with the existing northwest extended sidewalk corner. This design encourages people wanting to cross SE 76th Avenue to use the high-visibility crosswalk that extends over the intersection’s northern crossing point. The southwest corner had an existing ramp that no longer complies with ADA standards and needed reconstruction to better provide universal access.
Southeast corner of SE Harrison and 75th mid-reconstruction
Southwest corner of SE Harrison and 76th mid-reconstruction
Southeast corner of SE Harrison and 75th pre-construction
Southwest corner of SE Harrison and 76th pre-construction
Curb ramp reconstruction often requires stormwater improvements to keep water from blocking the repositioned crossing points. This project added four stormwater catch basins to SE Harrison Street, reducing the impact of rainwater runoff on this street, which is downslope from Mt. Tabor.
This work is part of Portland’s commitment to its residents who need accessible access to city infrastructure. PBOT must reconstruct a set number of non-ADA-compliant sidewalk corners yearly to meet a 2018 Curb Ramp Consent Decree requirement. Road work like this project requires long stretches of good weather, and crews tend to fit them between other work. People should expect to see work continue over the next few weeks. During construction, pedestrians must use sidewalk detours or cross the street to avoid construction, and drivers should use caution while passing crews working along the street’s edge.
Update August 5, 2025: Crews poured concrete for the two remaining sidewalk corners and new stormwater catch basin curb.
Many urban dogs and their humans do not have enough space at home to run free outdoors. For those Portland residents, city parks serve that recreational need. However, with only six out of Portland Park & Recreation’s 30 designated dog off-leash areas located east of 82nd Avenue, some area residents have ignored the rules requiring dogs to remain leashed in parks without off-leash areas. A new enforcement policy could curb that behavior by fining parkgoers $50 to $150 for bringing their off-leash dogs onto Portland Park property not designated for dog off-leash activity.
Portland Maps Image with six PP&R dog off-leash areas east of 82nd Ave and Mt. Tabor Park
Portland Park & Recreation (PP&R) Park Rangers received authorization to issue citations for dogs off-leash outside of designated areas in 2013. However, a policy requiring written warnings before issuing a citation complicated the enforcement process. In 2024, the City Council approved updates to the city code for park rules, which, in part, allow the park’s safety staff to issue fines for observed violations without written warning. A person receiving a citation must pay the fine within 30 calendar days or appeal the citation within 10 business days.
PP&R says Park Rangers will work to educate visitors and gain voluntary compliance when confronted with park rule violations. However, they have the authority to require a person to leave a park for a set amount of time, along with issuing citations to visitors who violate dog-off-leash or scoop laws. Park Rangers patrol over 280 park properties across the City at all hours and respond to calls from park visitors and staff regarding concerns. PP&R first offered dog off-leash areas (DOLA) in 1995 as a way to support dog owners while maintaining parks as safe places for all users. Leashed dogs are allowed in nearly all of Portland’s parks and natural areas. The new citation policy is likely to encourage more people to follow the rules for bringing dogs into the park. However, those who have let their dogs run unleashed outside of designated park areas may now need to adjust what parks they use.
For most Montavilla residents, the best off-leash dog recreation option is Mt. Tabor Park, which features a massive area with multiple entrance gates and diverse topography. PP&R recently completed a refresh of the Mt. Tabor DOLA, enhancing access and addressing concerns about erosion. Park users will still find fenced-off areas in the off-leash section, erected by maintenance staff, to allow plants to establish on the sloped hillside. However, these areas will offer people and pets a wide range of leash-free play options without the fear of receiving a fine. A new DOLA entrance, located at the end of SE 68th Avenue, off SE Division Street, is well placed for people with dogs arriving from east of Mt. Tabor Park.
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Crews working with the Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT) will construct three curb ramps on SE Harrison Street between SE 76th and 75th Avenues. This week, crews painted street markings indicating the shape and placement of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliant ramps on a route frequently used by pedestrians and cyclists accessing Mt. Tabor Park. This sidewalk corner reconstruction will complete accessible infrastructure work on this segment of SE Harrison Street started in 2023. However, paved sidewalks on this street are functionally non-existent west of SE 75th Avenue through the park.
The corner construction work will take place on two “T” intersections. For north-south traveling pedestrians on the west side of SE 76th Avenue, the newly reconstructed southwest corner ramp will align with the existing northwest extended sidewalk corner. This design encourages people wanting to cross SE 76th Avenue to use the high-visibility crosswalk that extends over the intersection’s northern crossing point. The southwest corner has an existing ramp but no longer complies with ADA standards.
Portland Maps aerial view of SE Harrison St, SE 76th Ave, and 75th Ave with MV News red circles indicating work areas
The SE Harrison Street crossing at SE 75th Avenue will add a southeast corner curb ramp and a mid-block ramp on the northern edge of the “T” intersection, aligning with the corner reconstruction work. This project area will create an ADA-compliant crossing to help users of wheeled mobility devices access the more consistent sidewalk infrastructure on SE Harrison Court to the south.
This work is part of Portland’s commitment to its residents who need accessible use of city infrastructure. PBOT must reconstruct a set number of non-ADA-compliant sidewalk corners yearly to meet a 2018 Curb Ramp Consent Decree requirement. Road work like this project requires long stretches of good weather, and crews tend to fit them between other work. People should expect to see work begin in the warmer months of 2025. During construction, sidewalk detours will be necessary, and drivers should use caution as crews work along the street’s edge.
Update: This page was updated to fix a broken link to Consent Decree information.
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On September 30th, contractors working for the Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT) began installing speed bumps on SE Harney Street, working northward towards SE Division Street. The roughly ten-day project will connect the southwest corner of Mt. Tabor Park with people walking, biking, and rolling from the South Tabor, Foster-Powell, and Mt. Scott-Arletta neighborhoods.
Brix Paving Northwest crews will work from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily to construct the traffic-calming devices on the new Greenway route. Asphalt speed bump application requires outdoor temperatures above 50 degrees Fahrenheit, so construction is weather-dependent. Crews will not need to close roads during installation. However, drivers in the area may experience delays and need to follow signage instructions and flagger directions to navigate around work sites. Motorists parking along the 60s Greenway may find some curbside spaces temporarily prohibited in spaces near construction activities.
Portland Maps image with the 60s Neighborhood Greenway route shown in blue
Street painting contractors will return to the greenway next month to apply sharrows, new crosswalk striping, and bike boxes to the road surface. Crews will also install new wayfinding signage along the route to help travelers navigate this part of the Safe Routes to School network. PBOT will daylight intersections as needed by removing some parking spaces near intersections where a stored vehicle blocks visibility at crossings.
In addition to painting and signage, PBOT plans to improve seven intersections along the new greenway. Road crews will add enhanced crossing treatments along SE 67th Avenue at SE Foster Road, SE Harold Street, SE Woodstock Boulevard, and SE Duke Street. Other intersections include SE Flavel Street at SE 68th Avenue, SE Harney Street at 72nd Avenue, and SE Division Street at SE 64th Avenue. Each of the seven intersections will receive new signage and high-visibility crosswalk striping. Workers recently completed curb ramp reconstruction at the SE Duke crossing.
Temporary enhanced crossing at SE 64th and SE Division near Mt. Tabor Park multi-use path
PBOT placed temporary crossing enhancements at SE Division Street and SE 64th Avenue as part of Portland Parks & Recreation’s new paved bike path and pedestrian accessway leading to Mt. Tabor Park. Contractors working for TriMet will reconstruct this crossing at a future date with input from PBOT staff during TriMet’s Powell-Division Safety and Access to Transit project.
When complete, the 60s Neighborhood Greenway will provide a comfortable route for people to walk and bike between Mt. Tabor Park and the Springwater Corridor. Portland has more than 100 miles of neighborhood greenways throughout the city that encourage lower traffic and low speeds for non-motorists safety while still allowing local access for people living on those streets.
Article and Photos by
Jacob Loeb
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Portland Parks & Recreation (PP&R) will give away 3,000 trees to residents this fall. The annual event now offers 1,000 more trees than the previous year, allowing more people to reserve a free tree to plant in their yard. Registrants can select from 22 tree types, and Montavilla residents will receive free delivery this year. Tree availability is limited, and participants have care responsibilities that come along with participation in the program. This work is part of Portland’s efforts to increase the urban tree canopy and make tree ownership more accessible.
Residents must pick up reserved trees at one of four collection events throughout the City. Montavilla residents can have the tree and supplies delivered this year with registration code “AHMP” or choose the September 22nd date hosted near the Mt Tabor Community Garden on SE 64th Avenue and SE Lincoln Street. That option offers collection times between 9 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. Outside the free delivery zone, PP&R Urban Forestry staff can provide yard tree delivery and planting for Portlanders with limited mobility or who need additional accommodations to participate. People who can not plant the tree as anticipated must agree to return it to Urban Forestry so people on a waiting list can have a chance to participate in the program. During the pickup or delivery, Parks staff will provide planting instructions and a watering bucket filled with mulch to assist with a successful planting.
Watering buckets filled with mulch that will accompany trees
This free tree giveaway is the eighth year PP&R will provide Portland residents with free trees. The Tree Planting and Preservation Fund, which gathers money from tree removal payments, supports this program. “When trees come down and aren’t replaced, that typically happens in development, developers put money into the tree fund, and then that money has to be used for tree planting or preservation,” explained Molly Wilson, a Community Tree Planting Specialist at PP&R Urban Forestry. However, additional funding from the Portland Clean Energy Fund, now augmenting the budget, allowed the program to expand service to more Portlanders.
City staff are working to grow the Portland tree canopy, which has declined in recent years as housing density and other factors reduce urban trees. Programs like this annual giveaway are predominately successful at adding more trees to the urban tree canopy. “We monitor our trees to see how many trees planted are still in the ground. The first year when we go back, we find that 70 percent are alive and in the ground. Then we find, based on weather, about 94 to 95 percent [of the previous 70 percent] survive the second year.” explained Wilson. Beyond that, tree species selected by the program tend to make it to maturity after those early years. “It’s a low-cost way to get high-quality trees providing shade, cooling, and other environmental and health benefits,” said Wilson.
Residents can only plant trees at a location inside Portland city limits, and they must exist on the person’s property or planted with permission of the property owner. This program is different from the street tree program, with these trees needing to live within the ground in a private yard, not between the curb and sidewalk. After the tree is in its new home, participants must provide the tree with 15 gallons of water per week from May through October for at least the first three years. “Certainly, not all the trees make it, but generally, I think people are doing a nice job of getting their trees in the ground in good locations and being really thoughtful about the trees they pick out. When they register or pick up their trees, we provide them with a planting and care booklet that talks about proper planting,” said Wilson.
Example of street tree location not acceptable for this free tree program
Program designers shaped the initiative for all Portland residents with space to plant a tree. “We want to reach renters more and make sure that trees are accessible for renters,” said Wilson. “We find that about five to eight percent of the trees go to rental properties each year, which is great, but we would love that number to be even higher.” Gathering permission to plant can be a barrier for some people. PP&R recommends renters share their passion for tree canopy expansion with property owners and explain their commitment to care for the tree over its first three years. Not all yards are suitable for planting trees, but if it can take root at least ten feet from a building, there should be enough room for it to thrive. When completing a tree reservation, people can request a consultation about selection and placement before pickup or delivery. Urban Forestry staff will answer tree questions post-planting to help owners take care of the young trees. People will also be on an email list with watering season reminders and other helpful instructions.
Molly Wilson recommends people reserve trees early, as there is a set number of trees, and the type an applicant is interested in may run out. If the form is no longer available, Portlanders should look for a wait list opportunity on the program’s web page.
On Tuesday, September 3rd, Portland Parks & Recreation (PP&R) will begin repairs to the Mt. Tabor Dog Off-Leash Area to address erosion concerns. This approximately three-week project requires crews to temporarily close portions of the canine recreation area as they install erosion control measures near the SE 68th Avenue entrance. PP&R anticipates crews can maintain visitor access to the eastern portion of the dog off-leash area during construction but encourages people to follow posted signs regarding access.
SE 68th Avenue entrance
The September project will address ongoing erosion and instability issues and revegetate the center portion of the off-leash area. Crews must remove debris that slid down the hillside, piling up against the southern fence and impacting the SE 68th Avenue entrance accessed by the public street in the center of Warner Pacific University’s campus. New fencing will protect the dog off-leash area and preserve the hillside by improving stormwater handling while maintaining the health and stability of the park’s ecosystem.
Eastern Off-Leash Area entrance
PP&R timed this work ahead of the rainy season in hopes it will prevent further erosion and improve conditions for the dogs and people using this park resource through the winter. At the end of the project, parkgoers should see enhanced access to the Mt. Tabor Dog Off-Leash Area and enjoy improved conditions within its fenced boundary. People with dogs can access the eastern Off-Leash Area entrance from SE 70th Avenue. A pathway through the park guides visitors to the gated entryway. City staff ask for the public’s assistance during construction to keep people and pets safe. They instruct visitors to follow directions on all posted closure notices, keep pets under their control, and stay clear of construction areas.
Correction: An earlier version of this article misidentified the eastern entrance
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On Saturday, August 17th, the PDX Adult Soapbox Derby returns for its 25th year of gravity-induced fun. People will gather starting at 10 a.m. along SE Reservoir Loop Drive in Mt. Tabor Park 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.
Photo by Crossett Freilinger
In the summer of 1997, Paul Zenk and Eric Foren loosely organized a small group of friends to race down Mt. Tabor’s windy roads in an event that would create the inaugural PDX Adult Soapbox Derby. The event has grown yearly to include 42 racing teams and between 7,000 to 10,000 spectators. This free-to-attend race 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.
Update: The 25th PDX Adult Soapbox Derby took place on August 17th with good weather and large crowds. Below are photos from this years event taken by Jacob Loeb.
The 11th annual Montavilla Jazz Festival (MJF) will begin at the end of August with a weekend full of music events in the neighborhood and locations across Portland’s Eastside. The three-day celebration of local artistry starts on Friday, August 30th, and runs through Sunday, September 1st, with free and ticketed events. Each year, MJF brings music fans of all ages to the neighborhood and expands the general appreciation for jazz.
The yearly late summer music programming spans outdoor locations such as Mt. Tabor Park and Montavilla’s SE 79th Avenue Street Plaza. Neighborhood businesses will also become venues during the festival, including BoneJax, Montavilla Brew Works, Vino Veritas, Beer Brats & Beats, Portland Metro Arts, Threshold Brewing & Blending, and Beer Bunker’s patio. The MJF website has a detailed list of event locations, times, and links to secure tickets or reservations when necessary. Area businesses Yaowarat, Vino Veritas, Threshold Brewing, and The Observatory will offer nightly food and drink specials and entertainment during the three-day event. The Academy Movie Theater will participate in the celebration through special showings of the 1958 film noir classic “Elevator to the Gallows,” featuring a jazz-rich score by Miles Davis. Beyond the Montavilla area, Strum, The 1905, and Alberta Rose Theatre will host additional MJF performances.
Thanks to Prosper Portland’s Scale Up Grant for summer 2024, MJF can offer more than twice the number of performances than the previous year. It is the only Portland festival focused on original music from the city’s jazz artists. Preferences will feature the rising stars and creative artists connected to Portland. The 29 events include free concerts, three student stages, and a return to Mt. Tabor Park’s Caldera Amphitheater for two free concerts on Friday, August 30th.
Lynn Darroch, photo by Brenda Moseley and provided courtesy MJF
For the second year, MJF honors the late Portland City Commissioner Nick Fish’s contribution to the city’s jazz community by presenting an award in his name. On August 31st, presenters will deliver this year’s Nick Fish Jazz Community Award to writer, broadcaster, and performer Lynn Darroch. The jazz radio host on KMH is also an author and recording artist with an in-depth perspective on the local musicians who shape the regional jazz sound.
With added free events and more Montavilla locations, this is an excellent year to explore Montavilla Jazz’s contribution to the music community and discover a new appreciation for a foundational style of American music. People interested in attending should look at the event schedule now to find out if they need reservations or tickets to particular shows. Everyone should plan for a busier weekend around event locations starting on August 30th and consider visiting local businesses with MJF specials for unique menu options.
In March 2022, Portland City Council permanently banned the sale and use of all consumer fireworks. This restriction includes Independence Day celebrations, particularly with the hot and dry weather expected this holiday weekend. Portland Fire & Rescue (PP&R) encourages people to attend the professional fireworks displays presented throughout the region. Montavilla residents can often view the South Waterfront Blues Festival display from Mt. Tabor Park uphill from Reservoir Number 5.
Portland Maps image with MV News illustration
The consumer fireworks prohibition passed the Portland City Council unanimously in part due to a fatal fireworks fire the previous year and in reaction to the devastating Eagle Creek Fire in the gorge that started with the use of personal fireworks. Fire departments regularly see a spike in injuries, fires, and fatalities related to the fireworks season, which begins on June 23rd and runs through July 6th. People with pets also report significant stress inflicted on their animals during this time, with some dogs and cats becoming separated from their owners when they run away from the explosive sounds.
This holiday weekend’s predicted triple-digit heat and low humidity could contribute to an enhanced danger from fireworks. PF&R is already responding to increased grass, brush, and vegetation fires without the added spark provided by personal pyrotechnics. Fireworks are easy for people to obtain outside the Portland area, with many ignoring the ban. PF&R has seen a rise in Independence Day fires, surpassing pre-ban numbers last year. Officials ask the public to abide by City fireworks rules and help protect the community from harm.
Update: Today, July 2nd, the Fire Marshal issued a burn ban for the City of Portland due to forecasted high temperatures and ongoing dry conditions. Effective immediately, people must refrain from using recreational campfires, fire pits, or burring yard debris. Outdoor grills, smokers, and similar cooking appliances are allowed if they use clean, dry firewood, briquettes, wood chips, pellets, propane, natural gas, or similar fuels. Residents should exercise extreme caution when using the allowed outdoor cooking devices and place them at least ten feet away from anything combustible, such as siding, fences, or shrubbery. The burn ban will remain in effect throughout the summer weather season.
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