Sunday Parkways announces 2015 season; new route through Sellwood neighborhood, over Tilikum Crossing

(February 18, 2015)  - The Portland Bureau of Transportation and presenting sponsor Kaiser Permanente today announced that Sunday Parkways will return this year with five traffic-free events through Portland neighborhoods, including a new route through Southeast Portland’s Sellwood neighborhood and over the new car-free Tilikum Crossing:  Bridge of the People.

The City of Portland Sunday Parkways presented by Kaiser Permanente season begins on Mother’s Day in outer Southeast Portland and finishes in September with the Tilikum Crossing/Sellwood event.

Sunday Parkways is a series of free community events opening the city's largest public space – its streets – for people to walk, bike, roll and discover active transportation.  The events are hugely popular; total attendance topped 100,000 last year.

This year, organizers are emphasizing ways people can create the Sunday Parkways experience every day. All five Sunday Parkways routes showcase low-traffic streets called ‘neighborhood greenways’ as well as City parks that people can enjoy all year long for their own bicycling and walking trips.  The Tilikum Crossing/Sellwood route will introduce participants to new bicycling, walking and transit improvements being made by the City and partners along the new light rail corridor that opens in September.

“Every day can be Sunday Parkways for thousands of Portlanders when we provide safe routes for people to bike and walk,” said Commissioner Steve Novick.

“The idea that every day can be Sunday Parkways supports what we recommend to patients - incorporate activity into your daily life by walking your kids to school, taking a short stroll during lunch, or taking your dog for a walk,” said Dr. Timothy Jacobson, cardiologist with Kaiser Permanente. “Most importantly, find something - like biking - that you enjoy, and you'll be more likely to stick with it, especially if you have support from a family member or friend.”

The dates and locations for Sunday Parkways 2015 are as follows:

East Portland Sunday Parkways

May 10, Mother’s Day ~ 11am-4pm (7 miles)

North Portland Sunday Parkways

June 21, Father’s Day ~ 11am-4pm (9.5 miles)

Northeast Portland Sunday Parkways

July 26, 2014 ~ 11am-4pm (8 miles)

Southeast Portland Sunday Parkways

August 23   ~ 11am-4pm (7 miles) (AARP will have photographer; get your picture taken)

Tilikum Crossing/Sellwood Portland Sunday Parkways

September 27 ~ 11am-4pm (8.5 miles)

“Sunday Parkways has become a beloved event series in Portland with strong community support,” Transportation Director Leah Treat said.  “I particularly want to call out Kaiser Permanente, our presenting sponsor, as well as new partners AAA Oregon/Idaho and Umpqua Bank.”

Residents and visitors say they come to enjoy the traffic-free streets connecting parks and schools filled with activities, music and vendors. It’s safe, family-friendly and a chance to meet neighbors.

Community groups and vendors wanting to participate in Sunday Parkways – and volunteers who want to help make it happen – are encouraged to contact the transportation bureau at 503-823-7599 or online at  PortlandSundayParkways.org.

Sunday Parkways is organized by the Portland Bureau of Transportation with longtime presenting sponsor Kaiser Permanente and returning partners/sponsors Portland Parks & Recreation, Clif Kid, Bike Gallery, Whole Foods, NW Natural, Car2Go, Metro and AARP of Oregon.

New partners for 2015 are AAA Oregon/Idaho, Umpqua Bank, Recology Portland, and Spinlister. The City of Portland funds a third of the cost with two-thirds of funding coming from sponsors, vendors, and individual supporters.

For maps and more information, visit  www.PortlandSundayParkways.org or call 503-823-7599.