Portland Courant

The Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT) invites Portlanders to take a stroll through Southwest Portland as part of a new monthly series of community walks through the Multnomah neighborhood starting on Saturday, April 1 called SW Strolls. 

Created in partnership with SW Trails, the Multnomah Neighborhood Association, Multnomah Village Business Association, and local residents, SW Strolls will highlight the City of Portland’s SW Capitol Highway infrastructure project between Multnomah Boulevard and Taylors Ferry Road. The project is a joint venture between the Bureau of Environmental Services, Portland Water Bureau, and Portland Bureau of Transportation with improved stormwater, drinking water, and street infrastructure.

When complete, the project will include repaved vehicle lanes and brand-new sidewalks, a bike lane, and a multi-use path. Residents will now have new options for safely getting around their neighborhood and getting between Multnomah Village and the Barbur Crossroads area. The project also features four giant rain gardens installed by Environmental Services that will collect and clean stormwater and includes more than 3,700 feet (a half-mile!) of new water mains and eight new fire hydrants constructed by the Water Bureau. 

SW Strolls will not only highlight this new infrastructure but also highlight existing urban trails maintained in a partnership between PBOT and SW Trails. SW Trails is a community group that promotes walking and biking in SW Portland and leads monthly walks and trail maintenance work parties. There are seven urban trails identified, marked, and maintained by SW Trails. These trails often have hidden gems of beauty and discovery, or just a respite from the bustle of the city. Trail #7 runs adjacent to SW Capitol Highway and demonstrates multiple ways residents can get around their neighborhood.

Anyone is welcome to join a SW Stroll. You can join for the entire walk starting at 9 a.m. or choose one section based on your comfort level. Whatever you choose, it's certain you will get your daily dose of community, exercise, and nature! Section A runs along the #7 urban trail and is a little over a mile. Section B is a little under 2 miles along the newly paved and accessible sidewalk on SW Capitol Highway. Finish your journey at 11 a.m. with a social hour in Multnomah Village and explore the unique shops, restaurants, food carts, and brewpubs in the heart of Southwest Portland.

The first SW Stroll will begin at 9 a.m. on Saturday, April 1 at Little Gabriel Park, in the southern parking lot off SW Canby Street for the urban trail segment. Join the group at 10 a.m. at World Foods for the SW Capitol Highway segment. Additional event details can be found on the SW Strolls website: www.portland.gov/swstrolls.

Save the dates! More exciting events are coming to Southwest Portland!

June 10 – Join PBOT, the Bureau of Environmental Services, the Portland Water Bureau, local officials, community partners and friends as they cut the ribbon on the SW Capitol Highway project.

July 23 – Southwest Neighborhood Bike Fair at the Mittleman Jewish Community Center is a free, family-friendly event that includes biking lessons for children, learn-to-ride coaching for adults, quick-fix bike repair, and e-bike demos. Hosted in partnership with the Mittleman Jewish Community Center and Community Cycling Center.

Sept. 10 – Southwest Portland Sunday Parkways in the Multnomah neighborhood will include a 2-mile multi-modal route along with a 1.5-mile walking route. You can hop on at any point and head in any direction you choose. Take in Gabriel Park’s inclusive playground as you stroll along the flat walking route or enjoy the wind in your hair as you ride the neighborhood hills and new infrastructure along SW Capitol Highway, including sidewalks and bike lanes. 

Original source can be found here.