SPECIAL EVENTS & PROGRAMS
Car-free Fun
at Sunday Parkways
N
By Anne Laufe
ow in its seventh year, Portland Sunday
Parkways has become a summer staple, closing
off streets to cars so families can bike, stroll,
skateboard, roller blade and unicycle through
Portland neighborhoods in a joyous celebration of active transportation and
community.
Each event takes place in a different part of the city with a looping route of
streets that are closed to motorized traffic and connect parks along the way.
You can take on the entire route, choose a section to explore or just show
up at one of the parks to enjoy the activities. Each park features a variety of
food vendors, games, musicians, performing artists, information tables and
unparalleled people watching.
Last year, more than 85,000 people attended Portland’s Sunday Parkways,
meaning the streets can get quite crowded with cyclists and pedestrians. If
you’re riding with young children, make sure they know the rules of the road
and stay close to you. If the crowds get to be a bit too much, find a quiet spot
under a tree where you and your family can take a break, catch your breath,
grab a snack and rejoice in the fact that so many Portlanders care about good
health, the environment, building community – and serious family fun!
Here’s the lineup for the rest of the summer, as well a few other car-free
events around the area.
Upcoming Sunday Parkways
Northeast Portland (July 27): This 8-mile loop includes activities, performances
and vendors at Woodlawn, Alberta and Fernhill parks.
Southeast Portland (Aug. 24): A 7-mile loop with fun stops at Laurelhurst,
Colonel Summers and Ivon parks.
Southwest Portland (Sept. 28): The final Sunday Parkways of 2014 is a 6-mile
loop that includes a walk-only route, plus activities and vendors in Gabriel Park,
Multnomah Village and Hillsdale Shopping Center.
For more details and maps of each route, visit portlandsundayparkways.com.
More Summer Cycling Fun
Kidical Mass PDX (Monthly): A riff on “Critical Mass,” this group rides to
celebrates cycling and assert cyclists’ right to the road, Kidical Mass PDX organizes family-friendly bike rides throughout the year, usually involving a stop at a
park and/or some sort of treat. Rides are free and open to the public. Visit
kidicalmasspdx.org for more information and a schedule of upcoming rides.
Providence Bridge Pedal (Aug. 10): Portland’s largest bike ride, held on the
second Sunday in August every year, offers a variety of routes, from 13-36 miles
in length, taking riders over numerous Portland bridges. (There’s also a 3-mile
route designed especially for kids 10 and younger. Older riders can participate
with a child.) Bridge Pedal participation is limited, so register ASAP at
blog.bridgepedal.com.
THPRD Sunday Trailways (Sept. 21): Tualatin Hills Parks & Recreation District is
hosting their third annual Sunday Trailways from 11 am-3 pm Sept. 21. The event
will be held on the Westside Trail in Beaverton’s Tualatin Hills Nature Park. Families can walk or bike the off-street route with environmental education and other
kid-friendly activities along the way. Learn more at thprd.org.
This article has been excerpted from a previous issue of Metro Parent and updated
for summer 2014.
metro-parent.com
July 2014
23