The city's Bureau of Transportation has just rolled out plans for an innovative downtown circuit for September's Sunday Parkways event, sponsored by Kaiser Permanente. On Sept. 14, streets normally thrumming with cars will transform into a sprawling block party spanning 2.3 miles, designed to lure locals into rediscovering their urban core while on foot or bike. Travel Portland is enticing visitors with a weekend of discounts, from Sept. 12-14, to double down on downtown enjoyment.
Excitement buzzes with the thought of SW Broadway and Park Avenue erupting into an urban playground, connecting green spaces like Pettygrove Park and the Lovejoy Fountain Park, captured by the Portland Bureau of Transportation. You’ll be able to jump off your bike and meander, taking in local stores, cultural hotspots, a Timbers match, and tunes from PDX Pop Now. Mayor Keith Wilson encourages volunteering or vending at the event, putting Portlanders at the narrative's helm of the city's revival.
This downtown affair is more than just a traffic-free outing; it showcases the city's pulse. Sunday Parkways will feature entertainment spots and interactive programming in partnership with such landmarks as Director Park and Pioneer Courthouse Square. The event is also linked to the James Beard Public Market and TriMet. All aim to stitch together an intricate portrait of Portland's vibrance, as emphasized by Chad Melvin of Kaiser Permanente, who lauds the fitness and mental wellness benefits of such community gatherings in a statement obtained by the Portland Bureau of Transportation.
