Portland Sunday Parkways presented by Kaiser Permanente, Portland’s favorite open streets event, is back to celebrate its 15th anniversary this Sunday, June 26 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Portland Sunday Parkways is a free public event that closes the streets to cars and opens them for people to walk, bike, run, roll, and play in the streets and parks. The beloved Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT) program is making a triumphant return to Northeast Portland’s Cully neighborhood after offering self-guided activities and virtual events for the past two years due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
“This year’s Sunday Parkways events will have a role in reconnecting neighbors, and in celebrating our shared values of health and mobility for all Portlanders,” said Transportation Director Chris Warner. “After two years of not having many opportunities to come together as a community, I can’t wait to reconnect and roll with Portlanders on the open streets of NE Portland.”
“As a health care organization, we’re proud to partner with the city, local businesses, artists and vendors to create healthy and memorable experiences for our Portland communities for 15 years now,” said Wendy Watson, COO of Kaiser Permanente’s Northwest region. “Encouraging people to walk, ride and bike Sunday Parkways with friends and family is a great way for everyone to get out, get active and get to know their neighbors, while also allowing us to improve the mental health and resilience of our local communities.”
The Northeast Cully Sunday Parkways route features six miles of two-way streets with no start or finish. Start anywhere on the route and bike, walk, or roll along the route to find the four featured parks. Enjoy free activities and entertainment as you go from park to park between 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Text CULLY to 888-520-0526 for event updates!
As part of the event, some streets in Northeast Portland will be closed to automotive traffic. Among them are NE Mason from NE 54th to 72nd avenues, NE 72nd Avenue from NE Mason to Alberta streets, NE Alberta from NE 52nd to 72nd, NE Alberta Court from NE 52nd to 37th avenues, NE 37th from NE Alberta Court to Holman Street, and NE Simpson Street from NE 41st to 55th streets. People traveling by car are encouraged to postpone or work around these closures between 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
People living in the area will be able to travel to and from their homes. Stop at the barricades and talk to the volunteers at intersections to manage access along the route. Drive slowly and cautiously and ask for help from volunteers as you cross designated Sunday Parkways routes.
A community walk organized by Oregon Walks and Multnomah County REACH will leave from Wellington Park at 12 p.m. Oregon Walks Executive Director Ashton Simpson invites community members to join in, “We are so excited to be able to celebrate Sunday Parkways in person this year, and what better way to celebrate than with a community walk. Walking is a part of Sunday Parkways and allows us to come together, slow down and connect. We cannot wait to celebrate this quintessential Portland open-streets event with everyone. Come walk with us!”
Sunday Parkways has also partnered with organizations to offer programming for people with disabilities. Community members can interact with Adaptive BIKETOWN, Every Body Athletics, CHAP, , and White Cane Safety. Cully-area community members can also connect with neighborhood groups such as Living Cully, Cully Association of Neighbors (CAN) and Hacienda CDC to learn more about their work and opportunities to get involved.
Source: City of Portland