The City of Portland opened up a new downtown park earlier this week. Director Park, a former parking lot (that’s now underground), occupies a full city block (bordered by SW Park and 9th to the east and west, and Taylor and Yamhill to the south and north). It’s a new public space that the City refers to as “a piazza in the heart of downtown.”
Here’s a bit of history from our friends at Neighborhood Notes:
“Nearly ten years ago Mayor Vera Katz launched a vision for Portland’s Downtown District, one that would extend the city’s public spaces in corridors that run both east and west—and north and south—intersecting in a very special park in the center of it all. Director Park is that place.”
That’s all fine and good (more analysis of the park, its costs, etc… here) but I heard someone mention its excellent bike parking, so I went by and took a look this morning. I was impressed. Construction isn’t completed yet, but from what I saw, there were 15 staple racks in and around the park. None of them are covered (which I’m sure that would have ruined the aesthetics that were clearly a priority with this beautiful space), but they had a new, clean design and they were well-placed (visible and near entrances).
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Another bonus the park offers for people on bikes and everyone that enjoys our city’s public spaces? It comes with a new public restroom.
I look forward to meeting there for rides and other activities in the future.