Tag: PP&R

Government

Portlanders Vote on Parks Levy

The November 4th Special Election ballot has just one question for Portland voters centered on renewing and increasing a five-year parks levy first approved in 2020. Measure 26-260 asks property taxpayers to renew the Portland Parks and Recreation (PP&R) supplemental funding source at $1.40 per $1,000 of assessed value from the previous 80 cents per $1,000. Portlanders tend to vote in favor of supporting parks. However, a recent Portland Auditor’s Office report casts doubt on the Parks Bureau’s fiscal management to date, raising concern among some about increasing park funding taxes without a sustainable budget plan.

A green park featuring trees, a paved walking path, and circular picnic tables surrounded by well-maintained grass.

The report outlines several issues driving PP&R’s budgetary shortfall, including unfunded pet projects from past City Council members and politicized management under the last form of government. However, the report identified the expansion of Portland’s Park system, including new locations and amenities, as a substantial fiscal burden for the Bureau. Building new parks without first securing a maintenance funding source exceeded PP&R’s share of the City’s General Fund, leaving the Parks Bureau with few options other than reducing services or closing locations.

Five years ago, during the pandemic, voters approved the parks levy to support services provided by PP&R after the Bureau cut costs during a 2019 $6 million shortfall. Those funds kept the parks’ programs open but did not address a substantial maintenance backlog. All the while, during its budgetary crunch, PP&R had a sizable source of money from developer fees. However, State and City laws prohibit the use of those funds for maintenance activities. That created a situation in which PP&R could add assets to the parks system without the funding to maintain them.

Sign for Gateway Green Park in Portland, indicating park hours and association with Portland Parks & Recreation.

Current District 3 Councilor Steve Novick also served previously on City Council under the Commissioner form of government during a pivotal time for parks, when its overbuilding phase ramped up due to City leadership’s increasing System Development Charges (SDCs) collected for parks from fees charged to development projects. His history with PP&R’s funding leads him to believe that Portlanders should approve 26-260 to give the current City Council time to rebalance park funding. “It would be rather absurd to take it as reason to vote against the levy because of what the auditor pointed out, which is true, we’ve been building new parks without the money to fix the old ones,” explained Novick.

Sign for Gateway Discovery Park in Portland, Oregon, with decorative sculpture and modern building in the background.

Councilor Novick believes the PP&R leadership has taken the blame for a systems failure that predates the 2019 budget shortfall. “Five years previously, in 2015, when I was on the council, we voted to increase parks SDCs; [Commissioner Dan] Saltzman and I voted no,” recalled Novick. They expressed concern about its impact on housing costs. A concern supported by the current City Council, which recently suspended SDCs temporarily on new residential projects. Novick noted that at the time, he was also concerned that PP&R would build facilities they could not maintain without additional funding that the former City Leadership did not provide. “The attitude of the council at the time was build baby build and don’t really worry about the crumbling assets.”

In Novick’s opinion, the current City Council can address PP&R funding in a more sustainable way, but needs to stabilize the decline before it starts making hard choices. “I think arguing that adopting the levy defers tough decisions is sort of fair, but we shouldn’t be making those tough decisions at the point of a gun in the context of having to come up with a budget that savages the parks system,” said Novick.

Three councilors seated at a table during a meeting, with nameplates indicating their names and positions.
Councilors Tiffany Koyama Lane, Angelita Morrillo, and Steve Novick representing District 3 in a March 2025 budget community listening session.

Conversations about park funding took center stage at City Hall during this last budget cycle, where PP&R competed for General Fund money alongside other large line items, such as police, fire, and homeless services. Some of the possibilities City leaders envision require changes to how the Bureau uses SDCs. “One thing that we’re going to do is go to the legislature and ask them to change the SDC statute so that SDCs can be used to repair existing structures, not just build new ones,” explained Novick. This change would allow PP&R to use development-fee-generated funds to maintain existing parks. This approach is favorable, as infill housing development brings more people into existing neighborhoods that may have languishing parks in need of attention to support new residents.

Another potential funding source comes from outside contributions. “I also think that there is a lot more thought now about trying to get some private money into the parks. The example that everybody always brings up is Central Park in New York City, [which is not funded by] City tax dollars. There’s a consortium of foundations and rich people to take care of Central Park,” said Novick. “I think that’s a conversation we need to have with our money elite in the city. Maybe there’s Nike branding or whatever all over the parks. Personally, I would live with that.”

A mural on the side of the Montavilla Community Center featuring colorful mosaic figures engaged in various physical activities, including sports and dance, with the center's name prominently displayed above.

Councilor Novick also noted that the city may need to issue a parks bond to address the backlog of repairs and reduce the operating expenses currently burdened by the system’s condition. “Hopefully, we can do the minor maintenance with this levy. That will prevent us getting to major maintenance costs in some facilities,” remarked Novick. He worries that without Ballot Measure 26-260, the City Council will have to make drastic cuts to parks without the time to plan spending reductions strategically. “What we learned [during the last City budget cycle] is that pretty much everything that parks does is really important to a bunch of people, and if the levy fails, then we’re gonna have to prepare a budget for next year which assumes we’re making massive cuts to parks.”

Ballot Measure 26-260 text says the median homeowner would pay $310 per year if the levy passes, which is just under $26 per month, and represents an $11 increase over what current property taxpayers have contributed to parks since the 2020 levy’s approval. Ballots are due by 8 p.m. on November 4th at a county drop site (multco.us/dropsites) or postmarked in the US mail system by November 4th.

Montavilla News does not endorse candidates or ballot measures.

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

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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.

Community, Construction

Berrydale Park Reopens Early with New Skateboarding and Play Facilities

On July 15th, crews removed the construction fencing that had been erected around Berrydale Park since October 2024, during Portland Parks & Recreation’s (PP&R) extensive renovations of the nearly 70-year-old community asset. Parkgoers now have access to modernized play equipment and a new skate park, surrounded by sidewalks and enhanced lighting. The city will host a grand reopening celebration at the SE 92nd Avenue and Taylor Street park on August 8th from 3 to 6 p.m.

A sign for Berrydale Park, surrounded by trees and grass, indicating park hours and management by Portland Parks & Recreation.

During 2021 and 2022, PP&R staff collaborated with the community to select the new design for Berrydale Park. Parks department leaders identified this park as an ideal location for expanding city skateboard facilities and designated funds collected from System Development Charges (SDC) for the park’s upgrade. This money is not part of the city’s general fund or the park’s operating budget. Developers pay into the fund when building new structures to support the creation or enhancement of public resources. It is a way to ensure that increased density does not come at the detriment of existing neighborhood infrastructure. During planning, the proposed budget doubled, with then-Parks Commissioner Carmen Rubio increasing the allocated funds to $3.0 million from an original $1.5 million budget. This increased funding enabled a significant playground update, accompanied by pathway and lighting enhancements throughout the park.

A new playground in Berrydale Park featuring swings, a slide, and various play equipment set on a rubberized surface, with trees and park benches in the background.

City staff used the proposed Berrydale Park project as an opportunity to investigate the construction of adjacent sidewalks on SE Taylor Street and 89th Avenue. However, neighbor opposition to their required financial contribution to the project caused the city to focus sidewalk work on park frontages. In December 2022, the Portland City Council amended the SE 89th Ave and Taylor St Local Improvement District (LID) proposal, removing all but one private residence and significantly reducing the scope of infrastructure upgrades. The original LID included the construction of new curbs and sidewalks on both sides of SE 89th Avenue adjacent to Berrydale Park. The proposed LID would have also included continuous sidewalks on the south side of SE Taylor Street, from 92nd Avenue to 89th Avenue, rather than stopping 100 feet short of the whole block.

Map showing SE 89th Avenue and Taylor Street project with improvements like sidewalk additions, curbs, and drainage around Berrydale Park and Clark Elementary School.
Graphic showing sidewalk addition. Courtesy PBOT

For months, Portland skaters have expectantly looked through the fencing at the telltale shapes of purpose-built skateboard amenities, including a prominent clover bowl, mini-ramp, railings/rails, and other skills-building elements. North of the cement skate park, crews have created two new play zones with surrounding park benches. Swings, slides, and climbing structures sit atop a rubberized soft base for safe, youthful exploration and play. The green and brown-toned equipment blends into the mature tree canopy, shading a significant portion of the recreation area and cooling the space during our hot summer days.

Area residents have already discovered the park’s new amenities within hours of the fence removal, with people biking, skating, and enjoying the new benches. The PP&R project website indicated that staff took down the construction fence early, before the newly seeded turf areas were established, in response to the community’s request for park access. Consequently, park staff request visitors avoid areas where seedling grass is taking root. People should monitor the Berrydale Park Improvement Project website for more information about the August 8th reopening event.

Article and Photos by

Jacob Loeb

Community, Event

Fireworks to Watch Not Light

The previous Portland City Council permanently banned the sale and use of all consumer fireworks within city limits in March 2022. This restriction includes Independence Day celebrations, often occurring during hot and dry weather. The ban also prohibits the purchase of personal fireworks outside the City and returning to Portland to use them, so Portland Fire & Rescue (PP&R) encourages people to attend the professional July 4th fireworks displays presented throughout the region. Montavilla residents can usually view the 10 p.m. Waterfront Blues Festival display from Mt. Tabor Park uphill from Reservoir Number 5.

Map showing Mt. Tabor Park with marked view spot for fireworks display, highlighting nearby streets and landmarks.
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 Eagle Creek Fire in the gorge, which started with the use of personal fireworks. Fire departments regularly experience a spike in injuries, fires, and fatalities during 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 low humidity could increase the danger from fireworks. On June 23rd, Portland’s Fire Marshal issued a burn ban for the City due to forecasted high summer 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.

A small firework emitting sparks and colors on a concrete surface, with discarded firework remnants nearby.

People can contact PF&R 503-823-3700 for additional information about the burn ban. Although the City prohibits the use of personal fireworks, emergency services request that people refrain from calling in reports of firework violations to 911 so that the dispatch system can remain open for reports of serious crimes, fires, and injuries. For non-emergencies in Portland, such as illegal fireworks displays, residents can call the non-emergency line at 503-823-3333 after the holiday. Additionally, individuals witnessing the unauthorized use of fireworks can report the incident online (portland.gov/311/report-fireworks).

Article and photos by

Jacob Loeb

Update June 30, 2025: Added link to online fireworks reporting tool.

Community, Government

Montavilla’s Best Off-leash Option to Avoid Fines

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.

Map of Portland showing various designated dog off-leash areas marked by blue pins.
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.

A fenced dog off-leash area in a forested park featuring several sections with grassy mounds, surrounded by trees.

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.

Entrance to a fenced dog off-leash area at Mt. Tabor Park, surrounded by trees and concrete blocks.
SE 68th Avenue DOLA entrance

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.

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, Food and Drink

Free Lunch + Play Returns June 23

On Monday, June 23rd, Portland Parks & Recreation’s (PP&R) Free Lunch + Play program returns to Montavilla Park on weekdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. with free lunch from noon to 1:30 p.m. for youth 18 years or younger. For many children, school offers activities and services that extend beyond education. Some students rely on school as their only structured playtime with peers and depend on the free lunch program for a midday meal. Thanks to funds provided by the 2020 voter-approved Parks Local Option Levy, the Free Lunch + Play program offers children weekday activities without registration or cost. From June 23rd to August 22nd, kids can visit 22 parks citywide for recreational activities and a nutritious lunch.

Portland Public Schools close for summer on June 12th, and over half the city’s school-age children qualify for free or reduced-price meals during the school year, making PP&R’s Free Lunch + Play program a critical tool in keeping young people fed during the summer break. However, the free lunches are available to anyone meeting the age requirements, regardless of enrollment in a school district’s free lunch program. Adults bringing 10 or more youth to a location to receive free lunch should contact 503-729-0332 at least five business days in advance so parks staff can accommodate the group. USDA Federal guidelines require recipients to eat their meals on-site in the designated area, and youth are limited to one serving per day. Locations will have a No Thank You Table offering unwanted items from lunches that youth can take to supplement their meal during the designated lunch hours.

A swimming pool area featuring a clean, blue pool with lane markers, a slide, and surrounding grass and trees under a clear sky.

Montavilla Park at 8219 NE Glisan Street, Gateway Discovery Park at 10520 NE Halsey Street, and Lents Park at SE 92 Avenue and SE Steele Street will host Free Lunch + Play activities for Montavilla area residents. Meal times shift based on location, but Parks employees will organize games and other group activities throughout the four-hour sessions. The program staff observe the July 4th national holiday and will take the day off.

Portland Public Schools, Centennial School District, Parkrose School District, and David Douglas School District provide all the meal packs that adhere to the USDA Federal Lunch Program regulations. Youth must attend in person to receive meals and eat all the food on-site. Foodservice occurs only during stated mealtimes. For Montavilla Park, that is from noon to 1:30 p.m. At Lents Park, food is available from 11:30 a.m. through 1 p.m. Gateway Discovery Park has a shorter mealtime window of 11 to 11:45 a.m. Staff will require everyone to wash their hands before receiving food.

Free Lunch + Play is part of Portland Parks & Recreation’s (PP&R) Summer Free For All program, offering more than 40 events for all ages, including multicultural festivals, free outdoor movies, and concerts across the city. It also includes activities at PP&R outdoor pools, opening on June 20th. Six outdoor pools will host a weekly free swim session in addition to its fee-based swim lessons, open play swims, and water fitness. Montavilla’s pool offers free swim sessions on Tuesdays from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. People will find a complete list of Summer Free For All’s inclusive and family-friendly activities on the PP&R website.

Article and photos by

Jacob Loeb

Community, Construction

Gateway Discovery Park’s Month-long Playground Closure

Gateway Discovery Park’s playground will remain closed for a month-long repair of the rubber play surface installed around park equipment and in other areas where children are more likely to fall. The May 12th to June 12th closure allows crews time to replace the DuraSAFE SofTILE product at the vendor’s expense.

A damaged playground surface showing cracks and uneven patches on the left side, and a colorful play area with worn-out sections and a few small round structures on the right side.
Playground surface condition before replacement. Courtesy of Portland Parks & Recreation, Portland, Oregon.

This newer East Portland recreation area officially opened in August 2018 and features universally accessible play equipment and a modern rubberized surface that boasts a ten-year warranty. The product showed signs of failure within seven years and required replacement to restore its active use. Park staff understand this closure is a disruption for the community, which relies on its outdoor playspace, but they ask for patience as this work will deliver a restored park experience with little financial impact on Portland Parks & Recreation’s (PP&R) already constrained budget.

Workers installing new playground surfacing at Gateway Discovery Park, with a pile of DuraSAFE Softile materials and playground equipment in the background.
Playground surface tiles removed. Courtesy of Portland Parks & Recreation, Portland, Oregon.

PP&R built Gateway Discovery Park on land first acquired by the City of Portland in 2008 when the Parks department and Prosper Portland, which was known as the Portland Development Commission at the time of acquisition, jointly secured three adjacent properties. Based on community input, the 4.2-acre parcel was split into a 3.03-acre park with the remaining space supporting The Nick Fish mixed-use, regulated affordable housing, and ground-floor storefront development. Harper’s Playgrounds assisted in the inclusive playground’s design process and contributed funding to the project.

Fence surrounding a closed playground at Gateway Discovery Park with signs indicating maintenance and upcoming improvements.
Playground closed for surfacing work at Gateway Discovery Park (Jacob Loeb)

Parks planners anticipate crews will complete work in June, with most of the summer remaining for kids to enjoy the refreshed playground surface. Crews have no other park changes planned for this project, and the construction fence will come down as soon as the work concludes.

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.

Construction, Infrastructure

Improved Berrydale Park Takes Shape

Construction is well underway at Berrydale Park, where crews have installed the majority of new skatepark elements and made substantial progress on installing the park’s adjacent sidewalks. Portland Parks & Recreation (PP&R) anticipates completion in Fall 2025.

Behind the construction fencing closing the park to visitors, people will now see the telltale shapes of purpose-built skateboard amenities, including a prominent clover bowl, mini-ramp, railings/rails, and other skills-building elements. Crews have created the outlines of three new play zones north of the skatepark. However, only the surrounding park benches are visible, as the selected play equipment will arrive later in the construction schedule.

Pedestrians will soon gain some new sidewalk sections on SE 89th Avenue and SE Taylor Street. However, the new sidewalk sections are not continuous and only surround the park at 9004 SE Taylor Street and the frontage of one private residence. Planners working on the project did not include connected sidewalks around the park’s block and across SE 89th Avenue from Berrydale Park as first planned because most property owners did not want to participate in a Local Improvement District (LID) that would have required those participants share in the construction costs. The expense to each participant would have been less than if each homeowner conducted the work individually, but the $24,000 share was more than some residents wanted to pay.

Graphic showing sidewalk addition. Courtesy PBOT

Without the larger LID, the City only improved a little over 200 feet SE 89th Avenue with a standard curb and sidewalk segment built on the east side. The west side received a small concrete lip to mitigate gravel spilling from the unpaved shoulder onto the asphalt. They also created asphalt driveway connectors or stubs over the gravel parking strip to minimize wear and further contain gravel spillage. The resulting street appears narrow and unfinished, with the new infrastructure stranded mid-block. However, as property in the area redevelops over the coming decades, those property owners will need to build sidewalks and complete the road along their frontage.

  • SE 89th Ave looking north
  • SE 89th Ave looking south
  • South sidewalk on SE Taylor St looking east
  • South sidewalk on SE Taylor St looking west

Crews will work to complete the new skatepark facility, new pathways, new lighting, and a new playground this spring and summer leading up to a grand opening. Until then, onlookers will continue to see the once-sleepy park grow, offering enticing amenities for parkgoers of all ages.

Article and photos by

Jacob Loeb

Community, Entertainment, Government

Budget Cuts Could Impact Montavilla Community Center

On Tuesday, March 18th, Portland residents will have an opportunity to participate in a District 3 budget listening session and express their community funding priorities to City leaders. Portland is facing a substantial budget shortfall for its fiscal year starting July 1st, and cuts are needed across City operations to balance spending against revenue. Within $16 million of recommended reductions to Portland Parks & Recreation’s budget are possible solutions that would impact Montavilla residents, including the loss of summer programs and the potential closure of the Community Center at 8219 NE Glisan Street.

From 6 to 8:30 p.m. on the 18th, members of the Portland City Council, Mayor Wilson, and representatives from the Budget Office will gather on the University of Western States campus at 8100 NE Tillamook Street to gauge community priorities regarding proposed budget cuts. People can also attend online via the Zoom conferencing app or passively watch on the City’s YouTube channel. Participants attending from the campus or via Zoom can provide two minutes of testimony. In-person speakers will register upon arrival, starting at 5:30 p.m. City staff will post virtual testimony instructions on the City’s website by Sunday, March 16th. Residents who will not attend the event or do not want to speak can submit written comments online via the City’s budget page.

Proposed budget cuts could impact a wide-ranging assortment of city services people have grown accustomed to receiving. In the recently posted Vibrant Communities – Decision Packages v2 budget document, two possible reduction proposals could impact Montavilla Park. One recommended reduction would close a community center, eliminating all current programs and services. The document does not identify which center would close, but the Montavilla Community Center is one of three examples given.

“This package would close a neighborhood community center, eliminating all programs and services currently provided to the community through this facility. Staff reductions will accompany this center closure, and recreation programs, including educational preschool and afterschool programs will no longer be offered. Events, rentals, and other recreational programming will also be eliminated at this location. Examples include, St Johns Community Center, Montavilla Community Center and Peninsula Park Community Center.” – Vibrant Communities – Decision Packages v2

In addition to the possible closure of Montavilla’s Community Center, the document includes recommendations for eliminating youth summer camp programs at ten locations in summer 2026. These reductions would include programs at Montavilla Community Center and the East Portland Community Center at 740 SE 106th Avenue, which is the next nearest parks resource center for people in the neighborhood.

“This budget package would result in the elimination of the youth summer camp program, currently provided at ten locations through five regional community centers (Southwest CC; East Portland CC; Charles Jordan CC; Matt Dishman CC; Mt Scott CC) and five neighborhood/specialty centers (St Johns CC; Peninsula Park CC; Woodstock CC; Montavilla CC; Multnomah Arts Center). Summer
2024 provided camps to 6,949 registered participants.” – Vibrant Communities – Decision Packages v2

These possible Parks department reductions are just two examples of proposed cuts to the City’s budget. People should review the proposed budget for more examples ahead of the listening session. Residents should note that these plans can adjust with community input, and no action is inevitable outside the need to close the City’s funding gap. Montavilla Community Center will close from March 17th to March 22nd for annual building maintenance. This short closure is unrelated to the budget deficit but previews how a possible Montavilla Community Center closure would impact the neighborhood. Organizers have three other listening sessions scheduled throughout Portland, including District 1 on March 20th, District 4 on April 1st, and District 2 on April 3rd.

Article and photos by

Jacob Loeb