(Photos by Portland Parks)
Christmas has come a bit early for Gateway Green, the 25-acre parcel of land between I-84 and I-205 that’s slated to be Portland’s first bike park (a.k.a. the Dirt Lab).
On Tuesday, Portland Parks Commissioner Amanda Fritz and Director Mike Abbaté announced $2 million in System Development Charges (SDCs) will be dedicated to the project — enough money to complete the first phase of the project.
After years of planning, red tape, and fundraising, work began on off-road bike trails in the new park back in October.
This new infusion of funding brings the total for the project to about $4.3 million so far. A $1 million Metro grant was awarded in 2014 and over $1 million has been raised in cash donations and other contributions.
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Thanks to these SDC funds, the full build-out of phase one will include singletrack built specifically for off-road biking, a hiking trail network, a small play area. habitat restoration, a bike skills area, a pump track, and more.
“Gateway Green will be a regional destination in park-deficient east Portland, and a working example of how active recreation can be balanced with natural restoration and preservation,” commented Parks Commissioner Amanda Fritz in a statement.
26,000 Portlanders live within one and-a-half miles of the site and it’s directly accessible by MAX light rail and the I-205 path.
Now that funding is in hand, there’s a lot of work to be done! You can be a part of this amazing new community destination by joining one of many work parties. On February 11th the Northwest Trail Alliance and Friends of Gateway Green are hosting the Big Dig at Dirt Lab. They need help pulling ivy and digging in new trail. The even will include coffee and doughnuts in the morning followed by a BBQ lunch as well as a prize giveway.
— Jonathan Maus, (503) 706-8804 – jonathan@bikeportland.org
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