PBOT says streets are “city’s largest public space”

Below is the official news release about this Sunday’s Sunday Parkways event in east Portland. I think it’s especially notable because of the third paragraph, where PBOT refers to streets as “the city’s largest public space.”

PORTLAND, Ore. – Families and neighbors in East Portland are preparing to enjoy Mother’s Day at Sunday Parkways this Sunday on a seven-mile loop of traffic-free streets, including two miles on the Springwater Corridor.

The event, free and open to the public from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., is the first of five Sunday Parkways to be held monthly through September.

Organized by the Portland Bureau of Transportation along with presenting sponsor Kaiser Permanente and other community partners, Sunday Parkways opens the city’s largest public space – its streets – for people to walk, bike, roll and discover active transportation.

The hugely popular events are expected to draw about 100,000 participants this season, based on last year’s attendance.

With the largest concentration of children in the city, East Portland was chosen to kick off the Sunday Parkways season on Mother’s Day and while school is still in session in the hope of involving as many children as possible in this fun, active family event.

The seven-mile east Sunday Parkways route connects Lents Park, Bloomington Park, Ed Benedict and Glenwood Parks, Foster Floodplain Natural Area, Gilbert Heights School, and the Springwater Corridor. Music, vendors and activities are located in the parks and along the route. The route also highlights current and planned Neighborhood Greenways in the neighborhood.

Motorized vehicles are allowed to pass through the route at designated crossings and allowed on the route for resident and emergency access.

In addition to the Portland Bureau of Transportation and presenting sponsor Kaiser Permanente, Sunday Parkways is made possible by community partners Universal Cycles, Portland Parks & Recreation, Metro and AARP of Oregon, and hundreds of volunteers.

The rest of the Sunday Parkways season is: June 23 in Northeast Portland; July 28 in North Portland; August 25 in Southeast Portland; and September 29 in Southwest Portland. See a map of the route and find more information about Sunday Parkways, including volunteer information, at www.PortlandSundayParkways.org or call 503-823-7599.