The Gateway Green project is moving fast and backers will have a lot of exciting news to share at an open house next week.
The project will create a 35 acre natural area just north of the Gateway Transit Center in a piece of vacant land that sits between I-205 and I-84 in East Portland.
The big draw at Tuesday’s open house event will be the first unveiling of the recently completed Bicycle Concept Plan (note: this is different than the existing Gateway Green Vision Plan that was is available on their website and was completed in May 2008). Bikes will play a major role in the Gateway Green project and plans call for numerous trails and skills areas to accomodate a wide range of interests and skill levels.
Green, looking south on the I-205
bike path.
(Photo © J. Maus)
I got a sneak peek at one part of the Bicycle Concept Plan. It shows sections of the park that would be devoted to, “gravity/technical riding” a kids play area, “moderate” and “low density” singletrack trails, and “perimeter bike trails”.
The project’s two main backers — developer Ted Gilbert and East Portland and parks adovocate Linda Robinson — are keeping the latest announcements about the project quiet in hopes of a big turnout at the open house (which they say is key to show community support). Besides the Bicycle Concept Plan, Gilbert and Robinson have recently formed a non-profit “Friends of Gateway Green” group.
At a recent visit to City Hall, I ran into Gilbert and Robinson as they finished up a meeting with Parks Commissioner Nick Fish. Fish is considering taking a larger role in support of Gateway Green and he has referred to the project as “an historic opportunity”.
Come to the open house on Tuesday (4/14) to learn more about the project and for opportunities to get involved.
- Gateway Green Open House
Tuesday, April 14, 2009 – 7:00 to 8:30 p.m.
Gateway Elks Lodge (711 NE 100th Ave, Portland)
— Friends of Gateway Green website
— BikePortland’s full coverage of the Gateway Green project.