Proximity
to the outdoors is a cherished attribute
of Portland.
Portlanders value outdoor activities
and see them as contributing to both the
overall livability of the city and the
feeling of community connectedness among
residents. Although Portlanders enjoy
the ability to drive short distances to
access activities on the coast, in the
Columbia River Gorge and on the mountains,
in this section they speak mainly of preserving
and enhancing access to outdoor activities
within the city itself.
Portlanders make a number of connections
between outdoor activities and urban livability.
Outdoor activities connect residents with
nature and with each other and foster
healthy and active lifestyles. Looking
to the future, Portlanders want access
to outdoor activities to be equitably
distributed among Portland’s different
neighborhoods and populations. They also
want outdoor activities to be accessible
via multiple modes of alternative transportation
and accommodating of a wide variety of
interests, lifestyles and abilities.
Note:
This section refers mainly to the activities
that people pursue outdoors, whether as
part of organized events or independently
in parks and nature. For a discussion
of people’s general feelings towards parks
and natural areas, see Urban
Livability: Parks and Open Spaces.
-
It is important to be able to easily
access outdoor activities.
-
Outdoor activities help communities
become healthier and more connected.
- The City
should seek to increase the variety
of outdoor activities available to residents.
- Access to
outdoor activities should be distributed
equitably across the city.
- It
is important to be able to easily
access outdoor activities.
- Portlanders seek to preserve
easy access to a wide range
of outdoor activities within
the city, including:
- Farmers Markets;
- Cycling and walking;
- Street fairs and outdoor
cultural celebrations (such
as Cinco de Mayo and Alberta
Street's Last Thursdays);
and
- Hiking in open spaces
such as Mt. Tabor Park and
Forest Park.
- It is important to be able
to access outdoor activities
by multiple modes of transportation,
including by foot, by bike,
wheelchair and by public transportation.
- Portlanders value living in
proximity to areas that offer
outdoor activities. Portlanders
attribute this proximity primarily
to:
- The small size of the
city;
- The integration of nature
within the city in the form
of parks and open spaces;
- The Urban Growth Boundary
(UGB), which has preserved
open space on the outskirts
of the city;
- The natural geography
of Portland, which places
it near rivers, mountains
and forests; and
- The foresight of community
planners and others who
set aside parks and wild
areas before these places
were developed.
| “The
scenery and outdoor activities
are just awesome. The mountains,
the parks, the gorge…I get
out almost every weekend.
I’ve been here for four
months or so…moved here
from Boston for a job.” |
| “Portland’s
relationship to the outdoors…green
spaces, rivers, bike friendly…This
makes Portland what it is
and why it’s valued by old
timers like myself.” |
| “I
appreciate the quality of
life here, particularly
the green spaces, the relatively
clean air, the river access,
the great walking trails,
the parks. This city invites
you to be outdoors.” |
- Increase the number
of recreational areas in the
city, including neighborhood
parks, off-leash dog areas,
hiking/biking trails, skate
parks and athletic fields.
- Protect existing “wild spaces,”
including Forest Park, Mt. Tabor
Park and other natural areas
in which people can hike, observe
wildlife and have a feeling
of “getting away from it all”
within the city limits.
- Expand public transportation
services, so that existing outdoor
areas are accessible to a larger
number of Portlanders.
- Keep rural areas close at
hand by maintaining the Urban
Growth Boundary.
- Purchase land now to turn
into greenspace, future parks
and future wild areas. If we
wait, it will become unavailable
and/or unaffordable.
- “Encourage developers to
include more landscaping and
play areas/outdoor sitting areas
in new developments.”
- Outdoor
activities help communities
become healthier and more connected.
- Portlanders see outdoor activities
and areas as providing another
form of “community space,” places
where neighbors, family members
or people with similar interests
can connect.
- Portlanders enjoy seeing people
“out and about” and feel that
the abundance of outdoor activities
helps keep Portland vibrant.
- Portlanders see a wide variety
of easily-accessible outdoor
activities/areas as a way to
encourage healthy and active
lifestyles among residents.
- Community activities such
as Bridgepedal, farmers markets,
Last Thursdays and others “give
people a reason to go outside
and get active.”
- Portlanders are highly supportive
of trails, paths and areas that
encourage walking and cycling.
| “The
farmers markets and festivals
are events that build community
and encourage fresh air
and exercise. I love being
able to do all my errands
on foot!” |
- The
City should seek to increase
the variety of outdoor activities
available to residents.
- Portlanders want outdoor activities
to accommodate and nurture a
wide variety of interests, skills
and abilities.
- Portlanders would like to
see:
- More family and children-focused
activities;
- More neighborhood and
city-wide outdoor festivals;
- Cost-free events and activities;
- More skate parks (in Lents
and other parts of the city);
- More outdoor activities
for youth and teens;
- Activities for people
with disabilities;
- More neighborhood farmers’
markets; and
- More athletic fields;
- A cleaner Willamette river
to swim in.
| "I
love how the city supports
community involvement during
the summer months (concerts
in the park, movies in Pioneer
Square, etc…) and would
like to see more options
offered during the rainy
season.” |
- Access
to outdoor activities should
be distributed equitably across
the city.
- Portlanders desire a more
equitable distribution of outdoor
recreational areas/facilities,
with lower-income and outlying
neighborhoods given their “fair
share” of resources.
- Some outdoor activities that
could be more equitably distributed
include:
- Farmers markets, which
many low-income neighborhoods
lack;
- Street fairs and cultural
festivals, similar to “Last
Thursdays” on Alberta Street,
but unique in character
to each neighborhood;
- Walking and biking trails,
especially in outer neighborhoods
that lack well-maintained
roads or sidewalks;
- Community gardens; and
- Concerts in the park
and other cultural events.
Some neighborhoods are park-deficient
and do not have easy access
to these types of activities.
| “[I
would like to see] soccer
fields and basketball courts
in areas where there is
poverty and gangs, but currently
no fields or courts.” |
| “Free
parks and community events
in all areas not just downtown.” |
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