South Park Blocks Master Plan - Appendix C (Community Engagement Reports)

C

Community Engagement Reports

South Park Blocks Master Plan - Appendix C

South Park Blocks Master Plan Visioning Survey Results

September 2019 0

Introduction As part of Portland Parks & Recreation’s efforts to shape the future of the South Park Blocks, a community survey was conducted between July 17 and July 29, 2019. Sixty online surveys and 62 paper surveys were submitted for a total of 122 responses.

The survey asked community members about their interaction with the park, their views on existing park features, and priorities for new features. Paper copies of the survey were made available at the “Party in the Park” community event on July 17 and through other community events during the comment period. An online version of the survey was also available on the South Park Blocks Master Plan project web site. Both versions of the survey asked the same questions. This report includes the results of all surveys received.

Survey Respondent Demographics Where do you live?

Northwest Portland Southwest Portland North Portland Northeast Portland Southeast Portland East Portland Portland Metropolitan Area Outside Portland Metropolitan Area Prefer Not to Answer

Percentage 2.70% 63.06% 1.80% 7.21% 6.31% 0.00% 9.01% 6.31%

Responses 3 70 2 8 7 0 10 7

3.60%

4

Percentage 6.14% 5.26% 7.02% 11.40% 8.77% 23.68% 28.07% 6.14% 3.51%

Responses 7 6 8 13 10 27 32 7 4

What year were you born?

After 2000 1990-1999 1980-1989 1970-1979 1960-1969 1950-1959 1940-1949 Before 1940 Prefer not to answer

1 South Park Blocks Master Plan Visioning Survey 2019

When asked to identify your racial or ethnic identity, how do you identify? (Check all that apply) Percentage American Indian or Alaska Native 2.70% Asian or Asian American 7.21% Black or African American 2.70% Hispanic or Latino/A/X 4.50% Middle Eastern/North African 0.90% Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander 0.90% White 77.48% Unknown/Don’t Know 0.90% Prefer not to answer 9.01% Not listed above (please specify) 1.80% *American European Mediterranean; Jewish

Responses 3 8 3 5 1 1 86 1 10 2*

How do you identify your gender?

Female Male Transmasculine Transfeminine Genderqueer/Androgynous Prefer not to answer Not listed above (please specify)

Percentage 60.55% 32.11% 0.00% 0.00% 1.83% 5.50% 0.00%

Responses 66 35 0 0 2 6 0

Do you or a family member live with a disability or identify as a disabled person?

Percentage 20.18% 79.82%

Yes No

Responses 22 87

If yes, please described the nature of you and/or your family member’s disability.

(Check all that apply) Mobility (e.g., walking, climbing stairs) Visual (e.g., blind, low vision) Deaf or hard-of-hearing Cognitive (e.g., traumatic brain injury, learning disability) Mental Health (e.g., anxiety, PTSD) Intellectual or developmental (e.g., Down syndrome, fragile X syndrome) Invisible (e.g., diabetes, HIV, cancer) Prefer not to disclose Prefer to describe

Percentage 50.00% 7.69% 15.38% 3.85%

Responses 13 2 4 1

11.54% 7.69%

3 2

7.69% 19.23% 11.54%

2 5 3*

* Husband has Alzheimer’s; Autism spectrum; Hearing loss, but not for NOISE--which I hear BETTER than most other people. Please end the use of two-cycle engines, vehicle idling, compressor engine use, etc. in the park.

2 South Park Blocks Master Plan Visioning Survey 2019

Survey Results 1. On average, how often do you visit or travel through the South Park Blocks in winter, spring, summer, and fall?

90.00% 80.00% 70.00% 60.00%

Once a season

50.00%

Once a month

40.00%

Once a week

30.00%

Multiple times a week

20.00%

Never

10.00% 0.00% Winter

Spring

Summer

Fall

2. What time of day do you visit or travel through the South Park Blocks in winter, spring, summer, and fall?

80.00% 70.00%

Weekday morning

60.00%

Weekday afternoon

50.00%

Weekday evening

40.00%

Weekend morning

30.00%

Weekend afternoon

20.00%

Weekend evening Day visit

10.00%

Never

0.00% Winter

Spring

Summer

Fall

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3. How do you usually travel to the South Park Blocks on a weekday and weekend day?

100.00% 90.00% 80.00% 70.00% 60.00% 50.00% 40.00% 30.00% 20.00% 10.00% 0.00%

Walk Bike Bus MAX Streetcar Rideshare (Uber/Lyft/cab) N/A Weekday

Weekend

Responses to “other” and “not listed above” • • • • • • •

Car (6) - Park along the park blocks instead of walking from elsewhere in downtown Skateboard Walk through the park to visit the museums and cultural events I have an electric scooter as I am disabled Transit Live here on the Park Blocks I own the two front food carts (Bashas and Blazin Burrito)

4 South Park Blocks Master Plan Visioning Survey 2019

4. Why do you usually visit the South Park Blocks? (Check all that apply) It’s the closest greenspace to my work Picnic, eat a snack or a meal Other (please specify) Socialize with family and friends PSU classes Solitude Play, exercise and fitness To participate in a special event in or around the park It’s the closest greenspace to my home On way to cultural events, performances, concerts, church…

Enjoy nature and be outdoors Shop at Portland Farmer’s Market 0.00%

10.00% 20.00% 30.00% 40.00% 50.00% 60.00% 70.00% 80.00%

Responses to “other” and “not listed above” • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Shade in summer In transit to other destinations including shopping, meetings, and museums & events On my way to work On the way to the library or grocery store To shopping or walk above PSU or walk to town SPB clean-up volunteer once a week I live one block away and go through the park for my daily activities: to grocery shop, visit Art Museum, nearby coffee shops, restaurants, on my way to streetcar stop - for everything Native American Community Center I live there so I enjoy it all the time. We eat on our deck at night and enjoy I live on the SPB. This Park is my front yard. I am a part of Friends of the South Park Blocks Live in area Listen to music at the PSU amphitheater I work at PSU and frequently visit PSU building around park blocks Walk the dog (2) Shop at Safeway; cultural events in the district Work meetings in the area Going through to do my errands during the day!

For its beauty On my way to the gym or Safeway Tue: Cleanup South Park Blocks Volunteer I commute along the Park Blocks I own the two front food carts (Bashas and Blazin Burrito) First, it's the most beautiful area of downtown, Old Town, and The Pearl and even if not my destination I walk it as a route between two points within downtown. Second, non-PSU classes.

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South Park Blocks Master Plan Visioning Survey 2019

5. How would you rate the following features and experiences of the South Park Blocks?

Feature

Very Good

Trees Landscaping Pedestrian movement Park pathways Accessibility Street crossings Food vendors Lighting Access to drinking water Event facilities Maps and signage Bicycle movement Safety Portland Loo

64.29% 48.21% 47.32% 40.18% 36.36% 20.72% 18.18% 18.02% 17.27% 15.60% 15.60% 12.84% 12.39% 8.41%

Feature Safety Access to drinking water Portland Loo Lighting Food vendors Street crossings Event facilities Maps and signage Bicycle movement Landscaping Park pathways Pedestrian movement Trees Accessibility

Satisfactory/ Adequate 23.21% 28.57% 37.50% 41.96% 38.18% 50.45% 34.55% 41.44% 33.64% 32.11% 44.95% 39.45% 32.74% 19.63%

Needs Improvement 50.44% 34.55% 32.71% 27.93% 27.27% 25.23% 24.77% 23.85% 23.85% 21.43% 14.29% 11.61% 10.71% 7.27%

6 South Park Blocks Master Plan Visioning Survey 2019

6. As we plan improvements for the park during the master plan process, how important are these features to you?

Feature

Very Important

Safety Landscaping Trees Pedestrian movement Park pathways Street crossings Lighting Accessibility Access to drinking water Maps and signage Bicycle movement Portland Loo Event facilities Food vendors

86.96% 86.09% 84.21% 83.04% 80.70% 79.82% 67.83% 59.65% 46.09% 36.84% 35.09% 33.63% 30.97% 25.89%

Somewhat Important 11.30% 10.43% 12.28% 9.82% 13.16% 14.04% 26.09% 25.44% 40.00% 38.60% 29.82% 37.17% 43.36% 43.75%

Not Important 0.00% 0.00% 1.75% 4.46% 3.51% 3.51% 2.61% 10.53% 10.43% 19.30% 26.32% 19.47% 16.81% 23.21%

7. What historic or iconic features of the South Park Blocks are most important to you? *Survey respondents were asked to rank eight (8) features in order of importance. For the following table, higher scores indicate that more survey respondents ranked that feature as important.

Rank 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

Feature Trees Planting areas Pathway design Type of landscaping Statues/memorials/public art Lighting Plaza areas (e.g. Shemanski plaza) Material types (e.g. Pavement types)

Score 6.78 5.02 4.8 4.77 4.29 4.27 3.8 2.69

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8. What would you like to see more of in the South Park Blocks? *Survey respondents were asked to select their top five (5) priorities from a list of seventeen (17) choices.

The following is ranked average with higher scores indicating greater preference.

Overall Ranking 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17

Choice

Ranked Average

Native plantings and habitat Places for rest and quiet Enjoy additional, more diverse public art Cultural performances Community event space Community gardens Live music Paved paths Open lawn Rain gardens Children’s play areas Picnic areas Covered spaces Fitness equipment Informal, pick-up sports, like frisbee Movies Ceremony spaces

2.22 1.89 1.32 1.18 1.04 0.96 0.90 0.85 0.80 0.78 0.71 0.37 0.34 0.28 0.26 0.24 0.10

Other responses: • • • • • • • • • • • •

Dog park (2) Clean, safe places to sit "Sports" appropriate for SPB could include Tai Chi, yoga Big Trees Safety Less trash Fewer homeless Skate park Open space is a resource and should remain open space. Also, it's a historic resource!

I love the current art. There is just enough diversity as there are two contemporary works and number of historical. No more is needed.

1st priority dyed and stamped concrete crosswalks along the park centerline crossings, preferably as speed tables. Also, I have only 3 priorities, never mind 5, because the park blocks are very good as is. Don't mess them up with too many changes.

1st Priority: Fix the hole! 935 SW Main is the best residential site in the city. It should house people, NOT CARS! 8

South Park Blocks Master Plan Visioning Survey 2019

9. What issues keep you from visiting the South Park Blocks more often?

60.00% 50.00% 40.00% 30.00% 20.00% 10.00% 0.00% No issues I am Other (please I am Distance (I prevent me concerned specify) concerned don't live or from visiting about safety in about safety work nearby) the park the park traveling there

I don't feel welcome there

It does not I have never offer the heard of it, programs, don't know activities, or how to find it features I want

Other Responses: • • • • • • • • • • • •

Homeless (5) -- The homeless dominate the best spaces, abusive behavior Trash and garbage (4) Drug users (2) - needles in park Hours (2) - At night I have been told to leave by the police / patrol services Dark and shady (2) - Fewer trees & more diverse landscape.

Noise, stench of public urination, smoking, defecation Unsafe Need Increased ranger presence Accessibility Need more tables Leaf Blowers In live in WA :(

9 South Park Blocks Master Plan Visioning Survey 2019

Open-ended Responses to Questions Two questions gave participants the opportunity for open-ended responses. The responses were sorted by themes, and the number shown after the heading indicates how many times the topic was mentioned.

Some people addressed more than one topic in their responses to these questions. Comments that addressed multiple topics were divided and appear as separate responses under the most relevant theme headings.

9a. If you indicated that you are concerned about safety and/or don't feel welcome in the South Park Blocks, please tell us more. We want to make Portland Parks & Recreation spaces safe and welcoming for all.

Houseless / Mental Health Issues (18) • • • • • • •

• • • • • • • •

Homeless in groups discourage us from walking near them. A big negative.

The homeless leave trash and clothes. They take up sidewalks so you can't use them.

Homelessness has become a significant problem, as it has in all of Portland. Many are mentally ill and it is frightening at night. I look forward to the day when we finally get a compassionate and humane grasp on this issue.

Portland needs to provide more places for homeless individuals. The parks can help minimally by providing more public restroom facilities.

There seems to be no way to control the day residents/homeless who congregate in the SPBs. These groups cause me concern over my personal safety. These groups tend not to respect the park environs and leave behind mess for others to clean up.

Although I don’t feel too unsafe, there are often lots of homeless people lying on the benches, and younger people partying rowdily around the plaza.

There are often ranters going through the park yelling about how angry they are with the world. There are also often "campers" sitting or lying around with garbage strewn around them. They should at least keep the place clean. The city needs to provide them with a homeless shelter.

Improve mental health and opioid crisis.

Often homeless folks hanging around.

I treat the homeless with respect and they return the favor but there are some that act out with drugs and mental illness.

Large groups of homeless at multiple benches on the center pathway make it uncomfortable to walk through a defined area with people yelling at you from benches on both sides.

All though the park closes at night, find the homeless seem to be using all the benches in the morning. They also inhabit the sidewalks around the park making it not easy to traverse the park.

Clean up trash and biohazards left by homeless.

No sleeping/camping in park.

The homeless seem more numerous & more aggressive. It's scary at night and wasn't 4 yrs. ago. Groups set up camps in the summer for a few nights and leave a large amount of garbage.

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• •

•

There's screaming and fighting at all hours, and the cops don't do anything about that or for people suffering psychosis.

Homeless are a problem in the park, especially since children are often present.

I do not feel unsafe in the park blocks; however, I feel like it has become a residential space for some of those that are house-less. I do not feel comfortable enjoying the space without having to keep an eye on my possessions and I often find that a space I would like to utilize is full of trash/shopping carts and people that look like they may or may not be dead.

Quit worrying about "housing," which is a boon to developers & does not help people who can't/won't participate in society.

Disruptive Behavior (17) • • • • • • • •

• • • •

•

Although it seems less this year, there are still groups of kids and adults that linger there and cause concern as I walk through.

Other concerns about disruptive behavior by some park visitors - loud, threatening, intoxicated.

Concern about groups of aggressive acting people, being loud, aggressive, acting unpredictably.

I have seen some truly disturbing episodes occur on the Park Blocks. I work right across the street and my window faces them. It takes a heavy toll sometimes.

There have been people who have attacked others in park.

Larger groups of folks are often present smoking, playing music on speakers, sometimes riding bikes or skateboarding. I've witnessed multiple verbal and occasional physical fights there.

The amount of groups of transient folks is intimidating.

Every, single time I walk through the park, I have to dodge some crazy person. Sometimes they are sitting in the middle of the path, sometimes they are swinging the metal lid of a trash can, sometimes, they are shooting up, and sometimes I have to walk through a cloud of smoke. It is INSANE. The parks are *supposed* to be for the community, not for the benefit of people who are in need of mental health, or jail.

I am concerned about mentally ill and aggressive people who live in the park during the day and move to near sidewalks at night.

I am concerned about aggressive homeless people who take over areas in the park making me feel unwelcome and unsafe. Also, they can be very loud at inappropriate times.

I work at the Portland Art Museum and often don't feel comfortable just taking a break there b/c of people camping out for the day/ smoking/ drinking or otherwise claiming space.

There are some regular park visitors who seem to be experiencing mental distress. They are often disruptive and definitely make the park less welcoming. This is not a park problem, but an example of how the city/county can have a positive effect on quality of life by providing mental health care and use less force, more care. We all benefit when people are taken care of.

Homeless and substance abusers are unpredictable and frightening.

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• • • •

Being approached/harassed by unsavory individual for drugs, cigarettes, money or unwanted contact.

Some acting out groups that make noise, leave garbage, and use loud foul language. After hours as well.

Concerned about loitering and aggressive behavior.

Lots of people sitting/laying with dogs & gear.

Drug and Alcohol Use (11) • • •

• • • • • • • •

We don't feel safe with the drug dealers and users. We fear being attacked and robbed.

This is the only place I have personally walked through that I saw someone shooting up.

I see a lot of drug abuse, violence, and unaddressed mental health episodes/concerns almost daily in the park blocks. Obviously, this is not the sole responsibility of the Parks Department and represents unmet needs and failures of a lot of different systems on a local and national scale.

I have often encountered people consuming alcohol, smoking tobacco/cannabis, in an intoxicated condition and passed out on the ground/benches.

There is drug selling activity and persons with addiction/mental health issues in the SPB. Too many people openly doing drugs in the park.

Opioid use and mentally unhealthy people who can’t hold a job loiter in the park dropped hypodermic needles near children and pets.

Lots of people smoking marijuana.

The number of questionable people is disturbing. The smell of marijuana, and sight of needles is disturbing. I really question the use of my tax $$.

I am concerned about the trash they leave, esp. the needles.

I don't take my kids here because of the drug paraphernalia.

Park Ranger and Police Patrols (11) • • • • • • • • • • •

Should be better patrolled because of homeless problem and drugs etc.

Littering - without adequate patrolling.

Very rarely see rangers.

We need more Ranger presence.

I think this study and the improvements could include a park ranger who walks the site all day between Salmon and the southern end of PSU. The South Park Blocks could use more police presence and enforcement of smoking bans and loitering laws to make it more inviting to more members of the community.

More surveillance & ranger presence.

The loss of park rangers.

Rangers should be full time weekends/evenings.

Need policing of park 24/7. Need to keep vagrants, drugs, and trash out. Come on Portland step up and make it safe for all of us!

Slightly more rangers.

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Light and Lighting (8) • • • • • • • •

Better lighting Lighting at night not very good.

It’s a little grungy and dark.

Lighting will help make the park safer for all users.

I don't think a place without lights as safe anymore for walking.

More light.

Better lighting is needed.

More natural sunlight needed.

The Park at Night (7) • • • • •

• •

I feel very welcome there, but I am a little concerned about safety when walking there at night.

I don’t feel to safe at night to walk there. I enjoy it from my deck.

I walk home at night and sometimes feel unsafe w/ the people around late at night.

Pathways are very dark, and not just late at night. Very insecure feeling.

I was accosted, but not harmed physically, by a homeless person in March 2019 on SW Park Ave between Columbia and Clay. He was apparently delusional because he kept saying I had threatened him, which I hadn't. It was nighttime although only about 8pm. I backed away from him quickly into the street, but he followed for about a block. It scared me a lot. Now I have pepper spray in my hand whenever I walk in the Park Blocks at night.

After 4:00pm there is a problem with vandalism. My two food carts have been vandalized multiple times, and items stolen by the nearby homeless camp.

Enforcing park closed rule at night could unintentionally result in accidental police brutality.

Has not happened yet as far as I know.

Shemanski Square (6) • • • • • •

Sometimes the homeless population (members of) can be intimidating in the Shemanski Park area.

Somewhat concerned about safety walking through Shemanski.

Seating area in Salmon Street area not welcoming to families or picnic due to smokers and drug users.

Shemanski is too dark and look at issues there.

I have also had negative experiences with my young son in the Shemanski Park after a play at the Newmark Theater -- vulgar language from people hanging out there and taking up space in an unwelcoming manner.

Large groups of homeless, specifically at Shemanski Fountain area make it uncomfortable to walk through.

No safety concerns (4) • I am an old lady and never feel concerned about safety. I just walk through with confidence.

• I nearly always feel safe and welcome.

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• Seems safe enough to me.

• No issues with safety for myself

Scooters, skateboards, bicycles (3) • Main safety issue is unlawful and reckless thoroughfare of e-scooters and bicycles.

• Not much, just several occasions where I have seen people almost get hit by people riding their bikes. I am not exactly sure how to minimize this problem, but that's one thing about safety I'm concerned about.

• Concerned about danger from bicycles, scooters, skateboarders running into pedestrians esp. senior citizens.

Plants and Trees (3) • Better attention to planting plan and tree placement • I noticed a few old trees with rotten branches and a heavy branch fell unexpectedly-almost hit someone on the head.

• I know there was talk of the trees. Some areas - though beautiful as I love the trees - some areas seem awfully dark.

Activities and Events (2) • Activities like art and farmers market would make people feel safer.

• If there were events I would go.

Other concerns • Some areas seem seedy - I like walking through but sometimes I feel uncomfortable - I certainly feel uncomfortable sitting in the park and never would.

• Permanent greeting kiosk in one of the blocks for eyes on the park.

• Remove all CARS from the east half of the Park. This is supposed to be the GREEN LOOP! We must prioritize people over cars. And activate the corridor with cafes that open up onto the park blocks!!

• More concerned about Tom McCall Waterfront. I've had a knife pulled on me at the waterfront.

10. Do you have any other ideas about how to improve the park, or anything else you want to tell us?

Plants, trees, gardens (22) • I really like the green landscaping currently; rather than the seeming waste of changing out flowering plants they used to do. I would like to see more landscaping, maybe evergreens, along the pathways.

• More diverse landscape allowing light.

• Stop over planting trees.

• Trees and plantings are beautiful, so don't "overplan" the park.

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• Make more garden areas in front of the Art Museum. Make it impossible/difficult for pedestrians to walk across gardens/lawns--off paths.

• Dangerous and overcrowded trees need to be removed throughout.

• Please do NOT cut the trees.

• Preserve the trees.

• Keep the trees.

• The trees are most important to me, plants and landscaping.

• Tree care & maintenance • Maintain historic trees, flowers.

• Need arborist evaluation and improvements. Love the big, old trees, but some appear unsafe - falling branches, etc.

• Improve the landscaping and care given to the landscaping.

• Definitely keep it as a beautiful green space.

• Really support more maintenance of lawn & plant materials • Don't remove the rose garden.

• Planting.

• I'd just like to voice support for restoring native plants and wildlife and making sure that the project is as eco-conscious as possible.

• With the lack of wildlife habitat, it is sad that the land isn't being used to create a better habitat. My idea is to use the leaves that fall every year to build soil in the shaded areas to support a diverse ecosystem of native, shade-loving plants. For instance, the area between the parallel walkways can be allowed to build up leaf mold, layered w/ coffee grounds to build healthy soil community. This would reduce carbon emissions and demonstrate to landowners a better way to use the land. Also, there would be more habitat for insects, worms, beneficial fungi, shade-loving plants like huckleberry and salal can be planted. When old trees die, the logs can be nurse logs. Fruit bearing trees (paw paw) can be planted. Maintenance needs will go down.

• One aspect of the park that needs to happen is to make the plantings and trees more resilient to rising temperatures. The best way is to work with nature (permaculture). The foundation of resiliency is healthy soil. At present, the soil in the park is very poor. It is compacted, lacking in organic matter, and devoid of soil life. This is the result of traditional practices like removing dropped leaves, not covering the soil (especially in winter), and trying to grow an annual (grass) in an area where shade loving perennials are more appropriate. The solution requires less "maintenance" and more practices that support natural regeneration of the soil. The number one practice is covering the soil at all times. The dropped leaves should be allowed to remain on the ground to nourish the soil organisms that will reduce compaction, retain soil moisture, and provide services to the elms. Yes, the grass won't grow, but it doesn't grow in many areas already because of the shade. Once the soil is covered, it can regenerate.

Appropriate plantings can then be made to complete the ecosystem. Test plots can be started in areas that are very shady and not attractive to grass sitters. The more areas that can be regenerated, the healthier the soil, and the healthier the trees. I strongly recommend

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consulting permaculture knowledgeable sources before dismissing the idea that soil practices in the park need revamping. Thank you.

• South Park Blocks is a unique, wonderful city space. In summer, the tall trees create a cool respite from the hot city, in the winter, the sculptured tree trunks, especially when covered in snow, provide a unique beauty. This much tree space and carefully landscaped understory should be preserved for everyone in Portland. The older trees will have to be replaced, of course, but to remove them all and convert this area to an empty open field, suitable for frisbee and large group gatherings, would be a huge loss to the city.

Activities, Programming and Events (9) • Program the corridor much more!

Let's make the park blocks and waterfront park DESTINATIONS, rather than dreadfully dead, Canada geese-dominated lawns. Look at how Oslo and Perth dramatically improved their versions!

• Live music would be cool.

• The park's otherwise great. I'd like more food carts, & events.

• I'd like to see the park as a hub for activity for all ages. Provide opportunities for games that all can engage in.

• Engage neighboring institutions more in programming activities in the SPB. • Increased scheduled activities and events, music, markets.

• I think that more frequent organized activities that include folks from around the area (festivals, performances?) might make the park feel friendlier for more people, less empty, less opportunity to smoke/do drugs/fight.

• Bring more classical music also more bands with fine music.

• More music and arts performances to attract people

Houselessness, Disruptive Behavior (9) • Too many homeless that throw trash in the park • It's a lovely space, but I know that all of our parks are suffering from the overall homeless situation in our city.

• Change the permissive attitude about people living in the park causing others to avoid visiting the park. Sometimes I can't sit at the streetcar stop on Market because a homeless person sleeps there during the day. We need more patrols in the park.

• How to settle down the homelessness to increase safety • Please provide a shelter somewhere for the homeless, so that the park can be clean and enjoyed safely.

• The city needs to house the homeless.

• Remove [unhoused populations].

• Limit transient camping or clear it out early morning because that is my only safety concern.

What they bring and leave behind.

• I have a lot of compassion for un-homed people and I would still like to be able to predictably enjoy communal spaces without garbage - what do we do to return our parks into community recreational areas?

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Preserve Historic Character (9) • Please preserve the historic character of this already welcoming and inviting green space that is so important in this part of downtown. Adding a lot of activities and changing the character of the open unorganized spaces in the park in this small area will ruin it in my opinion as a place for people to relax outside in a green space with mostly unstructured activity - a quality rapidly disappearing from the urban landscape in this town. Please don't over- plan it!

• Maintain historic stately look when making improvements.

• Retain historical design of park.

• Preserve open spaces and historic buildings/things.

• The south park blocks are very good as they are. Don't mess them up with too many changes.

• It's a great area.

• Protect historic architecture and monuments.

• History is important. Keep the formal lines and respect the past while upgrading.

• Basically, keep it as it is.

Amenities and Utilities (8) • As a food cart owner, I would love if we could have gazebo like food "carts". The ones in downtown Beaverton are very nice, something similar to that.

• Electricity and water would be amazing as well.

• Improve park infrastructure • Replace the irrigation system. More permeable hardscape and somewhat less grass.

• Provide one or two modestly sized open-air rain shelters somewhere between Market and Salmon Streets, just large enough for 2-4 people to wait a minute when the is just a bit too much even with hat and jacket.

• Hot dog cart would be awesome.

• Picnic area including benches or tables.

• More covered spaces would be nice for damp weather but covered spaces attract homeless.

• Please research the most permeable hardscape that can be used to allow rain to penetrate the soil and not pool and then run off, taking soil with it.

Paths, Walkways and Street Crossings (8) • We are seniors and sometimes use with a walker is harder given uneven paving in paths.

• Include and separate bike/e-scooters paths from pedestrian paths. Get rid of posts and other obstacles in pathways (traffic, parking, road signage post).

• Consider getting rid of street parking to add pedestrian and bike paths.

• Pavement easier on small wheels i.e. scooters/skateboards.

• Also, crossings could be improved - Market can be difficult and pedestrians should be given priority given it's access to the park, PSU, farmers market and street car.

• Pedestrian crossing lights at crosswalks.

• Easier street crossings. Traffic should wait for the pedestrians, not the other way around.

• First, improve each north-south street crossing from Clay to Main. I'd really loved dyed and stamped concrete (or dyed concrete pavers) speed tables. I don't like that the two centerline 17

paths in each block share a single zebra striped crossing. I think driver compliance would increase when they see (and feel subtly but distinctly) speed tables and see walkers 4-6 inches taller. The tables should extend to be in line with the outer edges of the centerline paths. I strongly recommend as first and most important one at Jefferson.

Bicycles, Scooters, Skateboards (8) • Skate park - let's provide a positive place for all the skateboarders to skate. it is a daily reality so let's create a positive place in South Park Blocks so park rangers don't always have to tell skaters not to skate, etc.

• Bikers walking their bikes would be great. Scooters should "scoot" elsewhere.

• Attractive trash/recycling containers would help as those without homes often leave their trash on the ground.

• Entertainment and sports are my lowest priority as the park offers a peaceful place to be in nature while in the middle of a city.

• No scooters/bicycles.

• Larger signs telling cyclists & skateboarders to use the street. Very large sign telling skateboarders not to jump on & damage stone sculpture on section 8.

• Bicycles and scooters should not be on sidewalks.

• Allow skateboarding & make surfaces more conducive to skating.

Maintenance (7) • Thank you for keeping it so clean and welcoming! I walk through twice a day with my dog and when I see glass it's always gone the next time I come through. My dog greatly appreciates it.

• Stop banning quiet smokers and clean up the trash!

• Garbage pickup • Since it is an iconic location next to Portland’s top cultural centers, maintain it.

Better to keep it clean safe and free of garbage! Everyone visiting sees this park and I am certain it needs more attention • Such a great established asset. Please keep it and make sure it survives the daily abuse.

• Too many green spaces in Portland aren't maintained properly and family safety becomes a concern.

• Keep it as clean as possible

Ranger and Security Patrols (7) • Regular Park Ranger presence.

• Send more patrols around to manage the vagrant population.

• Enforce rules about noise after 10, littering, over use of toilet, smoking on the Blocks - I think this is not allowed?

• More ranger presence at night for resident’s peace of mind.

• More rangers, spend some money on the taxpayers.

• Presence of rangers • More security patrols 18

Art, Culture and Education (5) • We need to celebrate the indigenous peoples who have been in Portland since time immemorial!

• Consult more w/ the ingenious communities of PDX. • More cultural education/art in the SPB's.

• The park also has several plaques that were donated by organizations that were donated in remembrance of events like Oklahoma City bombing. It would be good to catalog all these memorial plaques and include their story in interpretive materials - maybe even have a gathering on the date of the event to teach & share w/neighbors.

• Maintain historic sculptures and statutes.

Streets, Parking, Green Loop (4) • Is there a way to make more park space and less traffic space in these blocks?

• The "Green Loop" shouldn't be so close to the children's play area at the south end of the Blocks. The proposed route takes a 90-degree turn next to playground space.

• Use of the right of way. Certain areas could have the right of way used better, such as the parking along both sides could be used for vendors or more seating, plantings, bike/scooter parking.

• Make Madison Street into a shared street. The street stops in front of the art museum and is one-way east but is two fat lanes and simply excessive for the little traffic it gets. Now fully covered by mature tree canopy, it would be perfect for rebuilding into plaza that very slowing moving cars can pass through. Raise the plaza 6 inches to the same level as the blocks as if the plaza were a giant speed table, the car ramps being west at Park Avenue (9th) and east at Park Avenue (8th). Allow parking each side and perhaps as little as one one-way driving lane.

Let the lane meander a bit. Use dyed concrete pavers in patterns. Put something roughly in the middle, like a statue, fountain, or other civic art. There's a built example in Portland to see. It's not a public street and obviously made of economy materials in simplified forms, but still looks good and is clearly a shared space that drivers need to respect. It's made of the driveway among The Strand Condos, the three mid-rise towers in Harbor Place. The driveway is L shaped and connects to both River Drive and Hall Street. Google Street view includes it but see it for yourselves! Consider extending the plaza as speed table west to include the 9th Avenue part so the plaza unites the Madison pedestrian passage, art museum plaza, and the South Park Blocks. When built, I think this would be the prime event space!

Play Areas (4) • Please do not add children's playgrounds. I am an early childhood teacher/administrator of many years and welcome wonderful play areas for children. However, the size and shape of this park is not suitable for a children's playground and would be a disservice to both the children and other users of the park.

• The children's play area needs to be improved and the drainage in that block fixed.

• Add an ADULT playground, with a LONG set of RINGS, some chin-up bars, possible obstacle course, a fun web to climb, etc. It would be SUPER POPULAR :).

• Play spaces for kids.

19

Lighting (4) • Lighting improved.

• More lighting.

• Artistically improve the lighting (currently too bright and focused on roadway, while buildings and artwork dark).

• Up lighting in the gardens to make use of the plants and the tree canopies.

Benches / Seating (3) • Replace the benches. They seem to be very old. Put a spacing between so that no one can lie down on the benches. Have seen that work in the city I use to live in and more people willing to sit and enjoy the scenery.

• Benches that discourage sleeping could help those who are uncomfortable with the homeless.

An additional loo would be good -- perhaps further north.

• I would like to see missing benches replaced.

PSU / University District (3) • The PSU area needs significant improvement. The hardscape areas are old and do not meet ADA in many cases. The benches need to be replaced in many areas and the whole design is tired. This is not a historic area and needs to evolve to meet the needs of PSU and the broader public, including more open space with less trees and more turf for flexible use and better access to sun.

• PSU is currently working on a circulation plan for campus and we would like to sync our plans to make sure there is cohesion and agreement on the future of the park blocks between the plans.

• Keep PSU market here. Keep it accessible to all.

Quiet Space (3) • I don't think covered shelter is a good idea at all or children's play equipment, pickup games or exercise equipment. I think it should be used as a quiet respite for sitting, walking & reflecting - growing cities need places of quiet and reflection.

• I suppose I am being selfish, but I see no need to make the park blocks more than a quiet respite in our city. We don't need more crowds or boisterous activity.

• There is something about having this quiet, beautiful accessible series of garden blocks that provide shade and silence and comfort.

Restrooms / Portland Loo (2) • •

Public restrooms should be a right for all urban dwellers, and Portland Parks & Rec has a responsibility to provide adequate access to facilities.

The Portland Loo should not have been located on the main path through the SPBs. It should have been located off to the side. The day residents/homeless settle around the Loo in groups.

20

Feedback from Community Event Approximately 150 people participated in the “Party in the Park” community event on July 17, 2019, held in the South Park Blocks. Participants learned about the project, park history and conditions, discussed questions with project staff and were encouraged to complete a comment survey. Interactive display boards asked people to share their perspectives on park improvements.

Which features would you like to see more of in the park?

Feature Native plants & habitat Cultural performances Diverse public art Live music Movies Rain gardens Community events Resting places Picnic areas Community gardens Fitness equipment Children's play areas Covered areas Paved paths Informal pick-up sports Ceremony spaces Open fields

Dots 31 23 22 21 19 19 18 12 12 11 9 8 7 6 6 5 4

What additional features would you like to see in the park?

Feature Dog park Adult-sized playground "No scooters" signs Dog-free area Using leaves as resources to build soil Lighting in seating areas and pathways Limited equity cooperatives Clean, attended restroom Food carts More permeable hardscape Multi-generational games and play equipment "Hamsterdam" for the homeless like on the Wire Skateboard friendly surfaces/paths More features for children Skatepark

6 5 4 3 3 3 3 2 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 21

Additional Comments from Community Event Cultural District Map Comments • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Keep “Historical Character” of park The elms, open spaces, safety Address the homeless situation. Health issue even. (It is becoming more of an issue) Do something with cement sculpture so kids don’t use as skateboard ramp I want it to remain beautiful and green with no buildings More areas for children to play and a few picnic tables Clean park benches Improve by making more clean and create a dog park!

Light poles -- clean & repair Less smoking enforcement More trash enforcement Better enforcement of park rules Make it more family friendly Planting, mix tress are very important, as are the rose garden, sculptures, grass Larger presence of rangers and police to keep drugs (dealing, etc.) in check The art museum has owned this home for cars for 29+ years. Let’s insist it become a home for people instead. [refers to parking lot on Main and Park] Fabulous tree! May it live another 100 years! [refers to Farrell Sycamore] Fix the hole in the South Park Blocks – no more treeless asphalt deserts on the best site of housing in the City [refers to parking lot on Main and Park]

University District Map Comments • • • • • • •

Green Zebra grocery here [to the east] Fabulous free noon music at PSU Keep the trees!! (whole park) Farmer’s Market!! :) Food carts favorite feature The trees and greenery Keep skateboards out – they’re dangerous

22 South Park Blocks Master Plan Visioning Survey 2019

Written Statements The following written statements were submitted as comments at the community event on July 17, 2019. These two statements were signed by the authors and are included in this report with their permission.

23 South Park Blocks Master Plan Visioning Survey 2019

BIKE CURIOUS [IT'S

QUESTION 12: Which NYC Mayor in9tituted car-free hours Central Park in the mid-1960s?

A. John V. Lindsay

July 14,2019 My idea for the park is two-fold. The first part is to seasonally close the park blocks to traffic during the hours on Wednesday which is typical for the Market. And also perhaps add an additional day for the Market, like Friday.

After the streets are closed, the Market will b e ab le to expand in scope in a similar way to the Saturday Market at PSU, with the stalls on the interior of the park streets, and the rest of the street, including parking spaces to b e used for walkways and bicycle and scooter use in a more protected environment away from cars. I would also work on getting Powell's to add into the mix a portab le pop-up location for those days when the Market is underway.

I would arrange a presence in the park by the institutions which border it, perhaps a lunch-time concert or free hours in the Historical Society or Art Museum. Use the extensive experience of the PSU Market to guide this expansion, which from recent experience seems quite necessary.

Sincerely, Rand Russell

Vision for Housing Justice – DOWNTOWN! Where there is no vision, there is no hope.

George Washington Carver I have long railed against what I call Downtown Portland’s Treeless Asphalt Deserts.

Besides their daily assault on the health and well-being of downtown residents, try walking past a series of them on SW 12th Avenue or SW Main Street when it’s 105 degrees and smoky. Encouraged by my Portland State University Site Design class instructor, I redesigned one of these deserts: 935 SW Main Street—the 25,000 square foot surface parking lot owned by Portland Art Museum for the last 29+ years. I see this proposal as one exemplary step towards solving our housing crisis in a systemic way.

Here’s our vision (written as the developer) . . .

The mixed income Etta Cooperative will be in a multi-story, multi-level building owned by the residents as a limited equity cooperative. The land will be held in trust by a community land trust, a 50-year old model for a new system of land tenure that takes land off of the private, commodity, speculative market and puts it into trust. The CLT issues 99-year leases to buildings on that land—buildings that can be privately or cooperatively owned— or rented.

It is named after Henrietta (Etta) Eliot who supported her husband (first minister of First Unitarian Church, Thomas Lamb Eliot) in the many social causes he championed for the poor and disenfranchised. They raised eight children on the site and their legacy still lives in the activist Church one can see from the site. The site’s history—including its Native American history—will be celebrated throughout.

Since the cost of the land will be separated from the cost of the housing, shares in the units can be purchased at a very reasonable price--all the more remarkable because the Etta will sit on what is arguably the best residential site in Portland with its cultural, educational, park and transportation amenities. We’ll reach out to the many people of color organizations we support to generate participation from those populations. Through impact investing sites and media, we’ll seek to reach wealthy and middle class folks who want to put their bodies where their hearts are—by living in a racially diverse mixed-income community that demonstrates climate justice.

The land will be purchased from the Art Museum by a Portland philanthropist—akin to Sam Gary who founded Denver’s Urban Land Conservancy with a $15 million donation in 2003. We are now looking for that person.

All Etta Cooperative’s power needs will be supplied by the renewably sourced district energy/combined heat and power plant Apple will build as part of its development to the immediate west of the Etta. Since we wont need our own boilers or chillers we’ll have more space for our common areas and community center—and those will be open to the neighborhood. And we'll have more money to use other resource-conserving technologies—e.g, triple-paned windows, superinsulation and a bioreactor to treat toilet and greywater for reuse.

Our green roofs will provide garden spaces for residents—who will be encouraged to garden on their balconies too. Native trees, shrubs, vines and wildflowers within the site will create a haven for humans and pollinators. Those spaces will also help teach children about nature and add to the ambience of the Green Loop at our front door.

By being a highly visible model in downtown Portland, our vision for an Etta Cooperative will help to educate people—both Portlanders and visitors—that we are not stuck with the housing system we have. As we watch the current system leave more and more people on the street, a system that treats housing as a social good will inspire others to mimic it. Contact us to schedule a slide show or otherwise help with Etta’s progress. ___________________ We’d be remiss if we didn’t mention our precursor: the Proud Ground (community land trust)/Habitat for Humanity 5020 N Interstate project. This proposed six-story, 64-unit development has been advertising 2-3 bedroom condominiums from $121,000—$274,500 for qualified applicants. Market rate units will be available as well. It just passed Design Review.

Mary Vogel, through her WBE, PlanGreen, works on issues of climate justice, especially housing and green infrastructure. She has promoted the CLT model since 1978. She can be reached at mary(at)plangreen(.)net.

South Park Blocks Master Plan Draft Design Concepts Community Comment Report

February 2020

Contents Introduction

page 2

Survey Respondent Demographics

page 3

Survey Results – What We Heard

page 5

Focus Group Summaries

page 19

Comments Submitted by Email

page 23

Design Concepts

page 31

South Park Blocks Master Plan Project www.portlandoregon.gov/parks/spb Contact: Barbara Hart 503-823-5596 barbara.hart@portlandoregon.gov

1 South Park Blocks Master Plan Design Concepts Community Comment Report - February 2020

Introduction As part of Portland Parks & Recreation’s efforts to shape the future of the South Park Blocks, community comments were invited on three draft design concepts between November 23, 2019, and December 30, 2019.

This report presents the information gathered during this community review and comment period. The feedback on the design concepts will guide the development of a preferred design that will be presented to the community for review and comment later in the spring.

A written survey was used to gather feedback on design elements and park features shown in three concepts.

Fourteen paper surveys and 124 online surveys were submitted for a total of 138 responses. Paper copies of the survey were made available at a Community Gathering on November 23 and at stakeholder meetings and events. An online version of the survey was available on the South Park Blocks Master Plan project web page.

The same nine questions were asked in both versions of the survey.

In addition to the survey, two focus group discussions engaged high school and university students to understand their level of support for design elements and park features. Finally, five comment letters were submitted via email. This report presents the data and information from all these sources.

The community engagement for this stage of the project was designed to: • • • •

Enlist community participation in the design review process with a special focus on students, PSU communities of color, the Native American Community Advisory Council and Parks Accessibility Advisory Committee.

Explain how community feedback and ideas during the visioning phase influenced the development of draft concepts; Gather and understand community feedback on the design concepts to develop a communitysupported preferred design; Build community relationships and support for the South Park Blocks and PP&R.

This second stage of engagement included two meetings of the Community Advisory Committee, stakeholder discussions, focus groups with students at Portland State University and St Mary’s Academy, consultations with the Parks Accessibility Advisory Committee and the Native American Community Advisory Council.

Portland Parks & Recreation partnered with the PSU Farmers Market to engage market vendors and visitors to launch a month-long comment period.

•

PP&R partnered with the Portland Farmer’s Market to promote the project with a Community Booth at the 11/23 PSU Market and outreach through their vendor networks and social media posts.

•

More than 250 people were contacted at a Farmers Market Booth and Gathering held inside Smith Memorial Student Center on 11/23/2019. A Spanish interpreter provided language assistance to participants. Surveys were distributed at both locations during the event.

•

139 people submitted written and online surveys with detailed comments on the three design concepts between November 23 and December 30, 2019. Three additional comments were sent as letters.

•

Two focus groups were held with students at Portland State University and St Mary’s Academy.

2

South Park Blocks Master Plan Design Concepts Community Comment Report - February 2020

•

Multiple email notifications were sent to promote the design concepts, community gathering event and survey to neighbors, stakeholders, project advisors and community organizations.

•

Social media posts encouraged the review of design concepts, attendance at the Community Gathering in November and invited comments using a survey.

•

A total of 500 flyers in Spanish and English were distributed to residents, businesses, organizations, park visitors, PSU students and staff, and Portland Farmers Market visitors.

•

An announcement about the Community Gathering and comment survey was posted on the PP&R main web page, the project web page and featured in the City of Portland online citywide events calendar.

•

35 lawn signs in Spanish and English promoting the project and Community Gathering were posted in the park for ten days prior and one week after the event.

Survey Respondent Demographics Who did we hear from?

Where do you live?

Answer Choice

Percentage

Responses

Southwest Portland Southeast Portland Portland Metropolitan Area Northeast Portland Northwest Portland Prefer Not to Answer East Portland Outside Portland Metro Area

48.21% 15.18% 12.50% 8.93% 6.25% 2.68% 0.00% 0.00%

54 17 14 10 7 3 0 0

What year were you born?

Answer Choice Percentage Responses After 2000 0.00% 0 1990-1999 8.11% 9 1980-1989 21.62% 24 1970-1979 18.02% 20 1960-1969 16.22% 18 1950-1959 13.51% 15 1940-1949 14.41% 16 Before 1940 3.60% 4 Prefer not to answer 4.50% 5 When asked to identify your racial or ethnic identity, how do you identify? (Pick all that apply) 3 South Park Blocks Master Plan Design Concepts Community Comment Report - February 2020

Answer Choice American Indian or Alaska Native Asian or Asian American Black or African American Hispanic or Latino/A/X Middle Eastern/North African Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander White Unknown/Don’t Know Prefer not to answer Not listed above (please specify)

Percentage 1.89% 1.89% 0.94% 7.55% 0.00% 0.00% 79.25% 0.00% 11.32% 2.83%

Responses 2 2 1 8 0 0 84 0 12 3*

*Responses to “not listed above”: Persian, “White” is not a racial or ethnic identity, Slavic

How do you identify your gender?

Answer Choice

Percentage

Responses

Female Male Transmasculine Transfeminine Genderqueer/Androgynous Prefer not to answer Not listed above (please specify)

48.60% 42.99% 0.00% 0.00% 0.93% 6.54% 0.93%

52 46 0 0 1 7 1

Do you or a family member live with a disability or identify as a disabled person?

Answer Choice

Percentage

Responses

Yes No

20.75% 79.25%

22 84

If yes, please described the nature of you and/or your family member’s disability.

(Please check all that apply) Answer Choice

Percentage

Responses

Mobility (e.g., walking, climbing stairs) Visual (e.g., blind, low vision) Deaf or hard-of-hearing Cognitive (e.g., traumatic brain injury, learning disability Mental Health (e.g., anxiety, PTSD) Intellectual or developmental (e.g., Down syndrome, fragile X syndrome) Invisible (e.g., diabetes, HIV, cancer) Prefer not to disclose Prefer to describe * Responses to “prefer to describe”: I live downtown.

41.67% 20.83% 25.00% 20.83%

10 5 6 5

45.83% 12.50%

11 3

25.00% 6 8.33% 2 4.17% 1* The Park Blocks are my yard.

4

South Park Blocks Master Plan Design Concepts Community Comment Report - February 2020

Survey Results – What We Heard Key Findings ➢ Among the most favored improvements and new elements are social seating, connected gathering and event spaces, art representing more diverse histories and identities, renovation of Smith Amphitheater, gateways at the north and south entrances and a renovated playground. ➢ Among the least favored improvements and new elements are diagonal paths in Blocks 10-12, a new event plaza outside the Viking Pavilion (Block 2), a new performance plaza outside Lincoln Hall, and three gateways at Blocks 1, 6 and 12. ➢ To mark entrances and create gateways, respondents prefer the use of iconic landscaping, sculptural features, signage and art installations. Several respondents commented gateways and entrances were not needed in the park. ➢ To sustain the park’s historic tree canopy, respondents want to increase the range of tree species, decrease the percentage of elms over time, retain the healthy elms along the central promenade and plant small groups of trees to balance sun/shade areas in the University District. ➢ There is strong support to add native plantings in Block 1 to enhance connections to the Native American Student and Community Center, maintain open lawn in the University District, and add lower maintenance native plantings in Blocks 7-9. Reconfiguring raised planting beds to form diagonal “X” pathways in the Cultural District was the least favored planting option. ➢ Two pedestrian pathway improvements received similar strong support: a wider, enhanced central pedestrian promenade in the Cultural District, and short diagonal paths to connect pedestrians from pathways in center to corner street crossings in Cultural District. ➢ Safety and movement improvements with the greatest support are removing regular car traffic from one block of SW Main and one block of SW Madison between Park Avenues, and a signalized crossing at SW Market and Park Avenue West. ➢ The most favored Green Loop approach was to direct bicyclists to follow a two-way separated bikeway along Park Avenue West in both the University and Cultural Districts. ➢ The topic themes raised most often in response to Question 9 are: design priorities and features, traffic and cars, paths for pedestrians and wheels, pedestrians, people on wheels, trees, the planning process, plantings, the Green Loop and parking. ➢ There were thirteen comments about the difficulty using the survey tool and understanding the design concepts.

5 South Park Blocks Master Plan Design Concepts Community Comment Report - February 2020

1. Which major improvements or new elements do you think will help the South Park Blocks

better serve the diverse needs of Portlanders now and into the future? (rank up to 16 features with 1 representing your favorite and 16 your least preferred) 114 responses Ranking Answer Choice 1 Addition of new types of social seating in the neighborhood blocks (Blocks 7-9) in

Score 11.49

the Cultural District 2

Connected spaces for gathering and events in Blocks 10-12 in the Cultural District

10.94

3

Additional art throughout representing more diverse histories and identities

10.71

4

Renovated Smith Amphitheater at Block 4 in the University District

10.45

5

Gateways/marked entrances at Blocks 1 and 12 (north and south ends)

9.59

6

Playground renovation and social seating at Block 1 of the University District

9.59

7

Renovated plaza by Millar Library (Block 3) for outdoor study space in University

9.45

District 8

Focus on creating a community spaces with interactive elements and social

9.35

seating in Blocks 7-9 9

Greater connectivity to the Native American Student and Community Center at

9.30

Block 1 10

Interactive play features throughout

9.17

11

Extension of Shemanski Plaza to connect Blocks 11 and 12

9.04

12

Play and interactive/musical art at neighborhood blocks in the Cultural District

7.43

13

Gateways at Blocks 1 and 12 (north and south ends) and at Block 6 (entrance to

6.73

University District) 14

New performance plaza outside Lincoln Hall (Block 6) in the University District

6.63

15

New event plaza outside the Viking Pavilion (Block 2) in the University District

6.57

16

Connected spaces for gathering and events with diagonal paths at Blocks 10-12

6.54

6 South Park Blocks Master Plan Design Concepts Community Comment Report - February 2020

2. Gateways: What form do you think the gateways/entrances should take?

(select all that apply) 70.00%

119 responses

60.00% 50.00% 40.00% 30.00% 20.00% 10.00% 0.00% Iconic landscaping

Sculptural feature

Signage

Art Installation

Other (please Shelter or kiosk specify)

Responses to “other” • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Nature-scaping (Native Natural Habitat) Interpretive materials that share the history & future of the South Park Blocks.

Arch.

More trees. Native plants. Diverse native vegetation.

Open space to gather/linger with iconic feature to serve as its own way-finder and indicator of place.

Water feature.

Something that is interactive and playful.

Lighting!

Visual connections deeper into the park blocks to draw you in.

Elements of all of the above.

None. Not needed.

Not needed.

I don’t think gateways are necessary at all. It’s apparent visually what you’re experiencing. I think gateways to divide it into sections takes away from the impact of what it is and how many neighborhoods or different parts of the city it ties together.

No gateways, that would be a waste of money, add seating and gathering places and lighting No gateways are necessary.

Very complicated and not user friendly.

None of the Above! Let it be! Today the SPB remains unique to Portland, generally intact and true to its origin as it continues to serve the city as originally conceived, 167 years ago. The Park is fundamentally open-space, benefitting all who seek relief from our increasingly-dense urban habitat. This Masterplan is in its conception an aberration and biased. It demonstrates that good design can be thwarted by money. As a design exercise it was flawed since its funding derives from the $375,000 developer premium required by the city for planning approval for constructing an outsized project in our neighborhood. Funding was further appended with a developer constraint to program new use for the project-adjacent Park Block 8, this appears to have prompted predictable adverse consequences for the entire park. The Masterplan Plan documents exhibit an overwhelming fixation on programming new uses for the remaining open spaces in the park sequence (this is carried through in every Masterplan scheme shown and promoted in the survey without offer of a low-impact option). These schemes will result in adverse physical and visual effects to a critical and historic public resource in our central city. The SPB's should remain largely un-programmed, un-cluttered and unfettered by the influence of this singular developer and an apparently similarly inclined Masterplan program. If such a horsetrading scheme was reasonable and equitable, the funds would have been better spent restoring the open expression of the original park in its visually confused southernmost blocks. Certainly, the funding windfall 7

South Park Blocks Master Plan Design Concepts Community Comment Report - February 2020

would have been more wisely spent in needed renovations of the park's existing features (ie: repairs to period lighting and park benches) and improving policing by City Parks Ranger program. Let it be!

3. What additional ideas shown in the concepts do you prefer to assist tree succession planning

in the South Park Blocks? (rank the ideas 1-7 with 1 representing your favorite and 7 your least preferred) 110 responses Ranking 1 2 3 4 5 6 7

Answer Choice Increase the range of tree species to add visual character and improve ecological health Facilitate greater biodiversity by increasing range of species, while decreasing percentage of elms over time Retain the healthy, mature elms alongside the central pedestrian promenade path by removing trees in the center of Blocks 7-12 Plant small groups of trees to balance sun/shade areas in Blocks 1-6 of University District Limited removal of some trees to support new native plantings between Blocks 7-9 and increased sun access for other trees and park improvements Explore the strategic addition of evergreens (conifers) Limited removal of trees to support new features in neighborhood blocks and to increase access to sunlight in the Cultural District

Score 5.21 4.36 4.31 4.15 3.74 3.73 3.56

4. In addition to trees, what other plants and shrubs would you like to see in the South Park

Blocks? (rank the ideas 1-10 with 1 representing your favorite and 10 your least preferred) 103 responses Ranking

Answer Choice

Score

1

7.69

2

Add native plantings to Block 1 to provide connection to the Native American Student and Community Center Maintain open lawn spaces in the University District

3

Add lower-maintenance, native plantings to Blocks 7-9

6.57

4

Retain raised beds in the Blocks 9-12

5.78

5

Expand and simplify native mix planting areas in the University District

5.74

6

Simplify native planting palette near the Farewell to Orpheus fountain (Block 5)

5.65

7

Add new rose and/or flower beds by SW Market Street (Blocks 6-7)

5.65

8

5.53

9

Retain Cultural District planters and add new planting beds in the streets with limited vehicle traffic between Blocks 9-12 Redistribute raised planters and beds in Blocks 7-9 from north-south to east-west orientations

10

Reconfigure raised planting beds in Cultural District to frame diagonal “X” pathways

2.95

6.9

4.84

8 South Park Blocks Master Plan Design Concepts Community Comment Report - February 2020

5. Please rank the pedestrian pathway improvement ideas from 1-3 with 1 representing your favorite and 3 your least preferred. 101 responses Ranking Answer Choice 1 Wider, enhanced central pedestrian promenade in the Cultural District (Blocks 7-12).

Score 2.35

2

2.13

3

Short diagonal paths to connect pedestrians from pathways in center to corner street crossings in Cultural District (Blocks 7-9) aligning them with corner street crossings and to reflect diagonal paths that were present during the early years of the park’s history.

1.63

Diagonal “X” pathways in the Cultural District (Blocks 7-12) to connect with corner crossings and to reflect “X” pathways that were present during the early years of the park’s history.

6. Please rank the ideas for improving movement and safety from 1 to 11 with 1 representing your favorite and 11 your least preferred. 105 responses Ranking 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

Answer Choice Regular car traffic removed from one block of SW Main in between Park Avenues Regular car traffic removed from one block of SW Madison in between Park Avenues Signalized crossing at SW Market Street and Park Avenue West Regular car traffic removed from one block of Park Avenue West at Block 5 Tabled Intersections in the Cultural District Signalized crossing at SW Clay Street and Park Avenue East Narrowed road widths in the Cultural District Regular car traffic removed from one block of Park Avenue East at Block 1 Woonerf street treatment Regular car traffic removed from one block at SW College in between Park Avenues Median islands in the Cultural District

Score 7.68 7.29 7.05 6.6 6.43 6.34 5.98 5.75 5.6 5.49 4.72

7. Please rank the Green Loop approaches for the University District (Blocks 1-6) 1-3, with 1 being your favorite and 3 being your least preferred. 91 responses Ranking Answer Choice

Score

1

Bicyclists on the Green Loop directed to two-way bikeway on Park Avenue West from Blocks 2-7.

2.51

2

Bicyclists on the Green Loop directed to follow the shared path for pedestrians and wheeled users along Park Avenue West in Blocks 1-6.

2

3

Bicyclists on the Green Loop directed to follow a shared path moving diagonally through Park Block 2, along Park Avenue West between Blocks 3-5 and then diagonally through Park Block 6.

1.49

9 South Park Blocks Master Plan Design Concepts Community Comment Report - February 2020

8. Please rank the Green Loop approaches for the University District (Blocks 1-6) 1-3, with 1 being your favorite and 3 being your least preferred. 84 responses Ranking Answer Choice

Score

1

Bicyclists on the Green Loop directed to follow a two-way separated bikeway along Park Avenue West in Blocks 7-12.

2.29

2

Bicyclists on the Green Loop directed to one-way bikeways on both Park Avenues alongside Blocks 9 12. Northbound bikeway crosses from Park Avenue West to Park Avenue East through Park Block 8.

2.05

3

Bicyclists on the Green Loop directed to follow one-way bikeways on both Park Avenues alongside Blocks 7-11, then cross from Park Avenue East to Park Avenue West at SW Main Street.

1.72

9. Do you have anything else you want to tell us to help reach a preferred park design?

This question gave participants the opportunity to comment on any topic. The responses were sorted by themes, and the number shown after the heading indicates how many times the topic was mentioned.

Some people addressed more than one topic in their responses to this question. Comments that addressed multiple topics were divided and appear as separate responses under the most relevant theme headings.

Comment Themes ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪

Design Priorities and Features (17) Traffic and Cars (17) Paths for Pedestrians and Wheels (15) Pedestrians (13) People on Wheels (12) Trees (12) Planning Process (11) Plantings (9) Green Loop (8)

▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪

Parking (8) Safety, Security and Maintenance (6) Seating (3) Play Areas (3) Programming and Events (2) Loos / Toilets (2) Comment Survey Miscellaneous

Design Priorities and Features (17) • • • • • • • • •

•

More emphasis on public art, block landmarks and creative way-finding markers!

There should be signing showing streetcar linkages to other parks along the entire route.

Consider the aging population that are and will reside on the Park Blocks.

The park blocks are already designed for engagement and study spaces.

I like the idea of a promenade down the center of the park.

Wide, tree and plant-lined walkways.

Street crossings need to be improved.

The table idea is awesome.

Don't forget about direction for future Central City Fundamental Design Guidelines update -- what direction does the preferred open space design direction for the South Park Blocks/Green Loop give to future private development and their frontage improvements and/or relationship to open space?

Respect the calming effect of the blocks for people without homes to relax in.

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South Park Blocks Master Plan Design Concepts Community Comment Report - February 2020

•

• • •

•

•

•

Try to simplify the ideas. The space does not have to be filled up with stuff. We need open space not new art, gateways and plantings. The continuity of the string of blocks makes it a special experience, please do not lose that continuity.

For the Cultural District in particular: Introduce small area changes one by one as pilots. Don't add so much stuff that the parks disappear under a mass of pavement, art, and play structures.

I’d prefer to enhance rather than alter the appearance of the Park Blocks. I think the historic design is important to respect.

The legacy of the South Park Blocks is: a Simple Design of 12 Narrow Blocks with Open Space, an Allée of Trees creating an axial focus with a Canopy to shade in Summer, to allow sun in Winter, and beautiful color in Fall and Spring. For the health of downtown residents, we need a refuge of open space that is pedestrian friendly without the noise and clutter of programed spaces. We have a wonderful park now where one may sit in quiet and contemplate Lincoln, Roosevelt and roses. Step up Portland and spend our money on keeping this great legacy simply exceptional as originally planned.

Outsiders do not respect this area as a neighborhood. Anything we can do to slow traffic, reduce noise (more trees, enforcing noise ordinances) and increase downtown citizens confidence in walkability should be the primary aim.

This city needs more green space in the city itself. With losing trees around the museum and now the plaza at the museum turning this green space into more paving with multiple tasks for each square foot - loses what is now a beautiful space.

The impact of climate change should be integrated into every aspect of the design. This includes obvious things, such as the species chosen, as well as more opaque calculations regarding carbon sequestration calculations and retention of rainwater in the Park Blocks instead of running off into storm sewers. Removing cars from the downtown area is a positive from a climate standpoint and an air quality standpoint. Please use materials that have lower carbon footprints and investigate waterpermeable hardscapes and rain gardens to increase water retention. The plants will appreciate that in our hotter summers.

Traffic and Cars (17) • • • • • • • •

• • •

Slow down traffic on Market/Clay/Jefferson The calming and removal of private car use of the Park blocks should be #1 priority for this project.

Get rid of the cars for people walking, biking or scooting.

This design has the opportunity to be a big draw for getting people on foot and on bikes and cars don't belong in this mix.

The park should be family friendly with limited car access.

Minimize auto traffic and make pedestrian and bike traffic safe.

Cars are an eyesore to the Park Blocks and the Green loop. Eliminate cars.

You should close as many streets as possible to cars. Park West in front of the PAM should be closed to cars. It should be an extension of the museum to create a public plaza (hard surface) for events, art exhibits, etc. All drop offs can be moved to 10th Ave as part of the new Rothko pavilion. This new plaza can become the new sculpture park that will be lost with the new pavilion.

Close as many streets as possible to expand parks.

No cars on Park Ave West.

Please make all this area car-free.

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South Park Blocks Master Plan Design Concepts Community Comment Report - February 2020

• • •

• •

•

Car free as much as possible.

Close all sections of the Park Blocks to cars, remove all car parking, create separated bikeways.

Reduce car traffic and increase cost of parking. Make neighborhood less reliant on cars. People drive too fast and aren't paying attention. This point in time represents an opportunity to implement world class pedestrian and bicycle focused streets - with zero and/or limited automobile access - on two of the most beautiful streets in the city. Please prioritize "human-scale" modes of mobility over the car.

Vehicle traffic lanes and vehicle parking should NOT be removed as it will negatively impact tourism to the city if travel around the city is made more difficult.

I would be careful not to restrict vehicle access too much on either side of Park Avenue. There is a lot of coming and going and need for direct access among the many residents, businesses, and cultural institutions that line the park. For example, apartment dwellers with mobility problems, and people needing to be dropped off at the many cultural buildings.

Leave the blocks themselves mostly intact; instead focus on traffic calming of cross streets, especially Madison, Jefferson, and Columbia. Remake Madison Street: Narrow it to one lane by making one lane into parking for 2-3 cars, add a wide raised crossing in the middle, and have a bulb-out or two including near the south side fire hydrant.

Paths for Pedestrians and Wheels (15) • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Separate path for wheels and peds.

Keep pedestrians and wheeled travelers in different areas.

A two-way bikeway would go a long way towards creating important bicycling infrastructure that also doesn't interfere with pedestrian movement.

Giving more access to bikes will increase safety for pedestrians by limiting car and human interactions.

Safe biking means dedicated lanes, not shared pathways. Please ignore the DNA suggestions; they are last century opinions and have no place in our future.

I would like to increase pedestrian access and safety as well as increasing bicycle friendly access.

Please take lessons from Copenhagen as far as designing space for bikers to safely ride with children and old people.

I also am very much in favor of whatever improvements can be made to give walking and biking priority over cars.

I don't mind sharing walking the central paths amid cyclists.

NO “shared” bicycle spaces with pedestrians. Pedestrians always lose.

Please don’t let the developer/PBA stooges at the downtown neighborhood association kibosh the excellent plan for separated bike ways.

Emphasize bike and pedestrian separation in shared use paths as part of the Green Loop - Peds on park paths; Bikes on shared/bikeway.

Pedestrian, auto and bikes need to be the priority.

There should be more focus on improving bike and pedestrian options. To me they are still too confusing, and the options seem to remove existing pedestrian and sidewalk space for bike infrastructure. In particular the inner sidewalks next to the street seem to be removed to provide bike lanes which is unsettling. The goal should be to add bike infrastructure without reducing pedestrian space, especially on blocks 7 and up.

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South Park Blocks Master Plan Design Concepts Community Comment Report - February 2020

•

You state that pedestrian safety is a top priority - if so, please understand that bicyclists WILL NOT bike at walking speeds no matter what you do. Skateboarders and e-scooters will be there too. They will all move FAST and pay no attention to pedestrians. Check out the bike use along the Waterfront.

Pedestrians (13) • • • • • • • •

• • • • •

Park area should be extended by as much as possible and be strictly kept for pedestrians.

Preserving the pedestrian emphasis, quiet rest spaces, and the central Pedestrian corridor are all key priorities Ultimately a park is all about pedestrians, as everyone traveling there will eventually be.

Pedestrianize the space.

Make more pedestrian plazas, sculpture parks, etc.

Prioritize pedestrians.

Moving the traffic patterns in this area to give more space, safety and appropriate pacing for pedestrians is key.

I am an elderly woman pedestrian that walks through the park blocks. I do not like being forced to walk in the center of the blocks in the 2nd and 3rd options. There are times that I feel safer and do not have to interact with certain people if I can walk on the street side rather than down the center. Also a straight line is faster than crisscrossing.

Community feedback did not seem to focus on bicyclists’ needs; rather, on pedestrians. Listen to that.

I walk through the park blocks almost daily and would love to feel safer from traffic.

Safe crossings between each block.

Installing dedicated bike lanes in a high pedestrian traffic zone that the Cultural District is would pose potential dangers to walkers in that area.

As a pedestrian, I constantly need to avoid bikes and scooters while walking through the South Park Blocks.

People on Wheels (12) • • • • • •

Keep bikes as part of the plan.

Provide excellent bike/scooter facilities.

Prioritize safe non-motorized travel of all kinds!

Bikes and motorized equipment must be prohibited.

Scooter access should be kept as limited as possible.

Make the park blocks scooter and bicycle free.

Bike Lanes • BIKES AND CARS CAN SHARE THE ROAD. (Why make it more difficult for pedestrians and drivers?

Traffic is slow here.)

• Each one-way narrow lane is safe enough for shared bikes and the slow cars.

• I would prefer the SPBs have no designated bikeways.

• While I’m in favor of bicycle amenities I don’t think the Park Blocks themselves are the place to try and add bike lanes.

• I ride my bike south on the South Park Blocks most days of the week. This is an excellent bike route and much better for bikes than Broadway (which is steeper, busier, narrower, and more dangerous, especially because of right hooks).

13 South Park Blocks Master Plan Design Concepts Community Comment Report - February 2020

•

Shared bikeway on Mirrored Chain concept would be better without diagonal in block 6, although Mirrored Chain bikeway is preferred.

Trees (12) • • • • • •

• • • • •

•

Prioritize trees.

Keep the trees.

Keep the elms.

Please don’t remove any of the trees.

Keep as many trees of all kinds as possible.

Please don’t remove the beautiful mature trees that are already present. They provide beautiful canopy that both helps with rain shelter but are also beautiful to look at down the boulevard of the park. It’s so rare to see such big beautiful mature trees in the heart of the city. It’s what makes it special and unique to Portland. It takes so long to get trees of that stature. Let them be. Buildings are what is blocking light. Not trees.

I would go very slowly in removing existing trees, replacing only as needed.

Let the blocks be a natural green space. Good tree canopy needed. No evergreens.

Please retain as many deciduous trees as possible for summer shade and winter light. Coniferous trees are readily available in nearby forests.

Keep conifers out - they shade during our gloomy winters. Keep deciduous trees and native plantings.

I like the shade provided by the park blocks. There are plenty of other sunny places in downtown (Director Park, Pioneer Square, and McCall Waterfront Park all come to mind). I hope that as many trees as possible can be kept with new trees being added rather than cutting down existing trees solely for the purpose of admitting more sun. We need more trees, not fewer. Having shade in the summer is what makes the Park Blocks special and a great and comfortable place to be.

Talk with Bob Salinger, Audubon Society, concerning air quality and trees.

Planning Process (11) • • • • • • • • • • •

This is an exciting redesign of an iconic area of Portland.

I do not see this as priority given the homelessness situation we are experiencing.

Please do focus groups with disabled students and citizens before choosing a plan as so much of this affects accessibility/inclusion.

The appropriate priority for the South Park blocks is historic preservation designation.

The concepts are hard to follow what is different & not.

Please don't cave in to the DNA. Connect with BikeLoud and Street Trust also.

There are so many other parks that are unsuccessful. Please put money into those instead. Make those the playgrounds and covered spaces needed.

DON'T SPEND MONEY DOING ANY OF THESE THINGS comes to mind. Please note I have lived in and loved the SPBs since 2005 and would very much appreciate improvements to the park.

Further planning should be put on hold until the historic designation is completed for the south Park Blocks - so we will all know what needs to be kept pretty much "as is."

This park is critical for the nearby residents and downtown workers, so their responses should be prioritized. That would require bottom up planning, which always results in a much better product.

This top-down product ignores the results of the first survey. I suggest you go back to the drawing 14

South Park Blocks Master Plan Design Concepts Community Comment Report - February 2020

board. It occurs to me that this master plan process is being done only because developer money was available not because it was a high priority. That money perhaps should have gone to a review and research towards getting a historic designation for the park instead.

Plantings (9) • • • • • •

• • •

Increase of Native plants and cultural information in the park and decrease lawn space (which takes more water and is less eco-friendly).

Lots of native, low maintenance, plants - No lawn (sorry) - Mulch - leave leafs on ground -Make it like nature Prioritize native vegetation.

Rugged plants!

Maybe more non-token native planting would be good to integrate.

More foraged plants to get people out of offices. Biodiversity of microbes makes allergies, asthma, multiple sclerosis less likely. See "Never Home Alone" by Rob Dunn. Examples - American Chestnut, Huckleberry, Salmonberry, Thimbleberry, Salal, Oregon Grape. Also, let more diverse plants grow in lawn for insect health - clover, dandelion, chickweed, lamb's quarters, nettles, dead nettle, amaranth.

Less grass in general, it doesn't do well under so many trees and so much traffic.

Keep much of the lawns. Place little importance on native plantings. The parks are in downtown; they're meant to have arranged and introduced plants. If I want swaths of native plants, I could go to a Metro park or wilderness for that.

Replace grass with crushed rock.

Green Loop (8) • • •

• •

• • •

Please keep the green loop in the Park Blocks! Broadway is not a good option.

I’m looking forward to someday riding the Green Loop with family and friends. Giving cyclists a safe place to ride will enhance the city.

Please keep the green loop in the park blocks where it belongs and has been planned. A commuter bikeway should also be provided on Broadway. The neighborhood association's arguments against people riding bikes in the park blocks are at best not-factual, and at worst, spurious and fearmongering.

Green Loop should be routed to Broadway and not through Park - they endanger pedestrians and children.

Keep it simple and don’t get too cute with the options. You’ll turn the green loop into the green maze.

Bike and pedestrian routes should provide simple and linear north to south access with other routes as secondary.

The Green Loop should restrict bike traffic to another street owing to dangers with pedestrians in the park blocks.

Why include bicycles in the Park Blocks in the Green Loop?

Bicycles should use Broadway as this part of the "Green Loop", or the South Park Blocks will never be peaceful and safe again for handicapped, children, and pedestrians. The LAST thing bicycles should do is be put on a diagonal path through the Park Blocks.

15 South Park Blocks Master Plan Design Concepts Community Comment Report - February 2020

Parking (8) • • • • • • •

•

It also seems like it’d be a lot cheaper to just restore the way it used to be and remove the parking on the inner side of the blocks on each side and turn that space into a bike lane.

Please do not eliminate any parking on Park Avenue, as parking is already at a premium.

Do not remove any but the most token amount of parking from the Park Avenues.

Remove more parking (direct motorists to garages). Park Blocks should be about enjoying the park more than finding a place to park.

I really hope as much parking on Park can be removed as possible to improve the pedestrian experience and make the Park about people, not cars!

Remove parking, remove cars.

I live next to the South park blocks (Columbia and 11th) and am incredibly disappointed with these options. By far the best thing you could do to improve the South Park blocks is to remove car access along the streets next to them. Right now, the park blocks mainly serve as a parking lot, and this is a terrible use for one of the best public spaces in the city. Remove the car and parking lanes, put in super wide bike lanes instead, expand the park onto the newly available space, and the area would be fabulously nicer to spend time in and visit. I can't believe there's not a single option to remove car access along the blocks here, in a city that supposedly prioritizes pedestrian and bike movement.

Rethink these designs with that option please, who knows how many decades it'll be until the park blocks get another redesign look, and I don't want to be stuck with a stupid parking lot next to my house for decades when we could be easily putting together a world class human space. Parks not parking lots please!

The best part of all of the concepts involved removing cars/parking from the park blocks. I would encourage the team to look at thinking bigger. Remove ALL parking on the park blocks, make all of Park a woonerf, turn the park blocks in to a car-lite Las Ramblas.

Safety, Security and Maintenance (6) •

•

•

With safety/security as the number one concern, and Ranger staffing limited, please consider how the design will encourage or discourage houseless camping and vagrant drug usage as is currently common.

Meanwhile, the best thing that could be done for the Park Blocks is to increase patrols so people will understand that it's not okay to shoot up, sell drugs, smoke anything or throw all their garbage on the ground.

I pass people using needle in the South Park Blocks at least 3 times a week. A vagrant was caught camping in my storage room along Park Ave. Theft is rampant. Our HOA has tripled its security funding. Why doesn't your "Master Plan for context and the future" take into consideration of security and safety. None of this architectural BS means anything if the majority of people enjoying your "improvements" are criddlers. Portland keeps ignoring this issue and it's splitting the Dems, which is exactly what Trump wants. Not everyone who loves Portland is an SJW. Ramp up enforcement. Wake up.

• • •

Enforce no smoking Keep cleaner Of primary importance to making the park blocks useful to the citizens is maintaining a clean environment and not allowing smoking, camping, marijuana and drug use.

16 South Park Blocks Master Plan Design Concepts Community Comment Report - February 2020

Seating (3) • • •

Better seating opportunities.

Seating with tables!

If you observe how the park is being used now, you will realize that on many occasions people are EATING in the park, with very little to make that a comfortable experience. Many, many school groups come on field trips to the museum, the historical society and to the theaters. They sit on the grass to eat their lunches. When the farmers market is open in Shemanski in the summer, multitudes of office workers buy lunch at the market and have no comfortable surface to eat on.

Play Areas (3) •

•

•

Pre-school children are frequent users of the park but there are no facilities designed for play (except for the playground at the very far end, a long, long way from block 12.) The day care centers that serve downtown workers need open outdoor spaces for play. Westmoreland Park Nature Playground is a good model: No plastic, all-natural elements.

Interactive/play features that are part play area, part informal gathering space, part sculpture and part landscaping are the best. They can be enjoyed by many different groups and tend to avoid looking deserted during the off-season.

Park and natural areas should not be made into a playground for adults or children.

Programming and Events (2) • •

I'm excited that this project has the potential to create some really wonderful community spaces that can be activated with events, performance, and play.

Design can facilitate community building. Having educational and cultural events scheduled throughout the blocks helps connect people to the space. Could there be a combination of formal events (concerts, etc.) and informal (contra dancing in the plaza)? I'd like the parks to be used as community resources for addressing thorny issues. One example might be explaining our increasingly complicated recycling system, sharing resources for reducing & reusing, and organizing collection of hard to recycle kinds of stuff.

Loos / Toilets (2) • •

A second loo would be great.

I just think the Loo needs to go. And no others brought in. The constant door slamming is one thing.

But mainly it is just a drug house. Most people won't use it because of all the drug use and it is a biohazard. If we want to clean up the Park Blocks, we should get rid of the Loo. Last summer it was shut down for a few days for maintenance, and all the noise, litter and drug use was gone until they reopened the Loo.

Miscellaneous • • • • •

Thank you for listening.

Thank you.

Sorry to be so negative, but this is my backyard and I use it nearly every day.

Block the building of tall buildings on Park Avenue.

Is anyone reading these comments?!

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South Park Blocks Master Plan Design Concepts Community Comment Report - February 2020

•

Save Sylvester Sycamore from the ravages of a downtown surface parking lot that allows parking far too close and pours pollutants into its tree space. Sycamores can live 850 years if well-treated.

Comment Survey • • • • • • • • • • • •

Terrible survey.

Your design options are very confusing and don't meet my expectations!

Survey is extremely difficult to complete on a phone.

This survey offers only channeled comments.

This has been a difficult survey to follow and fill out.

The reason I didn't fill in all the "numbered choices" is that most of them were only "least bad" - there were very few that I could support at all.

This survey is flawed. There is no ability to say "poor idea" to more than one item, so the result is top down planning.

Your survey is very hard to follow, and the choices are poor.

Some of the later options around vehicular and ped circulation got too complicated for me, so I skipped those questions. Maybe a diagram with each one?

Woah, this was a lot of stuff, good luck with this poll. Looks like you can make the data say whatever you want.

I'm frustrated with this survey: 1) If I dislike an idea, I cannot tell if I should leave the ranking blank or rank it last. 2) Many questions had no correct answer for me.

"Portland the City that Works". Not one of your Master Plan Concepts works!

18 South Park Blocks Master Plan Design Concepts Community Comment Report - February 2020

Focus Groups St Mary’s Academy Students Tate White, Barbara Hart and CAC member Maya Sykes met with members of the St Mary’s Academy Student Review Board on February 25. The Student Review Board consists of a broad range of students to engage multiple perspectives and serves as a decision-making board for the approval of student-led initiatives, proposals and clubs. St. Mary’s Academy is a Catholic high school for young women in downtown Portland with an enrollment of 680 students.

The purpose of the focus group was to gather feedback from high school students on the draft design concepts.

The 45-minute focus group was held during the group’s regular meeting at the beginning of the school day.

Participants included 10 students and McKenzie D'Ambrosio, SMA Student Activities Coordinator.

How do you use the South Park Blocks now?

• • • • • • • • • •

I live nearby, the park is my front yard.

I go to the park to visit the Farmers Market.

I go on my way to an event, to attend a concert or movie.

I like to eat lunch there on school days when the weather is warm.

I pass through the park on my way to other places.

My family visits to attend events I don’t really visit the park; I have no reason to go.

I don’t use the park now as it doesn’t seem super safe.

I like to sit in the shade on hot summer days.

I walk through PSU campus on my way to the library.

After a presentation on the South Park Blocks and draft design concepts the students discussed their level of support for design elements and park features.

Feedback on the Emerald Arrow and Braided Districts Concepts: • • • • • • • • • •

Add more plantings, native plants, not just lawn and grass. (5) Add play spaces throughout the park to support families. These will improve the ‘feel” of the park. (4) Group seating is better than old style benches. Provide space for families and gatherings. (4) The Smith Plaza renovation ideas are good. This would make the area more usable. (3) Change the muddy places / lawn into better play spaces, especially near the museum where kids often play. Make these spaces usable. (2) I like the central promenade of the Emerald Arrow concept. (2) Make the street crossings safer.

The park is not a super safe place. (3) Walking surfaces are uneven and inaccessible for some people.

The sidewalks on the edges don’t seem safe. I like the idea of the larger walkway through the center.

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South Park Blocks Master Plan Design Concepts Community Comment Report - February 2020

• • • • • • • • •

Add coffee carts or food trucks to bring people in and make the spaces more vibrant.

Add another Portland Loo or toilet.

Consider adding a Community Garden in the Neighborhood Blocks, perhaps in raised planters.

Bike lanes separated from pedestrians -- the Green Loop -- is a good idea.

Add more art throughout the park.

Sustain the shaded greenspace – this is so rare in downtown.

Create spaces for students doing homework with seating at small tables.

Make the park a destination for families living and visiting downtown.

Consider a location for Biketown rentals near the park to encourage cycling.

Follow Up The group was very interested to participate in the next steps of the planning process. They requested a follow up meeting to review and discuss the preferred design in the late spring. Barbara and Tate will be in touch to arrange a second focus group during the next comment period.

Portland State University Students Tate White, Barbara Hart and Eder Katembwe met with 14 Portland State Students at the Karl Miller Center for a two-hour focus group on February 28. The group included student leaders from the My Africa Business Club, Financial Management Association, Green Council and Student Sustainability Center. The purpose of the focus group was to engage students with diverse perspectives including students of color, immigrants and refugees and students living with disabilities in a discussion of the draft design concepts for the South Park Blocks Master Plan.

We began with an overview of community engagement and focus groups, followed by a presentation and discussion of the South Park Blocks draft design concepts.

Reflect on a recent visit to the park - what did you notice?

• • • • • • • • • • • •

Not enough tables, clean spaces to work (10) Smoother pavement needed – surfaces are uneven, bumpy and not safe for wheelchair users.

Scooters and bicycles are mixed with pedestrians Trees – big ones, historic Beautiful tree canopy with clean walkways through the greenspace. Very special place in downtown.

Green, sunny spaces Smoking Intimidating behavior Lack of recycling and composting bins Not enough toilets - need personal hygiene supplies Park is dark and uninviting at times People walking, families 20

South Park Blocks Master Plan Design Concepts Community Comment Report - February 2020

• • • • • •

Historic preservation Street crossings are difficult, especially at night Bench seating - need space for groups and families Homeless people Some places are visually uninteresting, need more variety Gathering spaces need updating

Ideas to Improve the South Park Blocks • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Sustain the tree canopy with a strategy for tree succession Add picnic tables with umbrellas More seating for groups – design seating as art features Create outdoor education spaces to learn about park, history and native plants Create volunteer opportunities for students to help build and maintain the park Expand native plantings and make these contiguous so they function as habitat Add community garden spaces, put functional plants in raised-bed food gardens Add plants to attract bees and pollinators Add more diverse art in the park to reflect local artists Create rotating, changing, temporary art installations in the park Engage local artist community to create / select art in park and medians Separate pedestrians and bicycles/scooters/boards Install smooth pavements and surfaces to increase accessibility Increase park ranger patrols and enforcement Add more toilets / Portland Loos More and better lighting throughout the park Participatory gardens and plantings to connect Native American Community and Student Center Interpretive signage and art to acknowledge diverse cultures, sites and communities Earlier involvement of PSU students in the planning process Hire more diverse, community-based planning consultants and sub consultants Add interactive play spaces and games for all ages (small tennis courts, game pieces, programming) Acknowledge PSU Salmon-Safe designation Name each block in honor / recognition of a different cultural leader Recycling and compost collection Add dog bags to support clean up

21 South Park Blocks Master Plan Design Concepts Community Comment Report - February 2020

Participants shared their feedback on two of the design concepts with a focus on design elements and park features shown in each concept.

What proposed improvements do you like / support?

•

Emerald Arrow o Native plants - add these to the Cultural District, expand and diversify plant mix o Open space and open lawn o Street closures between the park blocks o Smith Plaza Renovation (10) o Large canopy for year-round use o Traffic calming – extend car free area across Market Street o Safer pedestrian crossings – ped-activated signals

•

Braided Districts o Native plants o Street closures with planters o More green space o Traffic changes - street calming o Separated bikeways throughout the park

What proposed improvements do you not like / not support?

•

Emerald Arrow o Large group seating may not last or hold up – maintenance challenge. Use durable, sustainable materials.

•

Braided Districts o Narrow streets without adding concrete / paving – think green, sustainability

Follow Up The group was very interested to stay involved in the planning process and review the preferred design in the late spring. Two students offered to help coordinate a second focus group with PP&R: •

Isatou S. Barry, Chair, My African Business Club and President of the Financial Management Association

•

Warren Gunn, Volunteer Coordinator, Student Sustainability Center

Barbara and Eder will be in touch to arrange a second focus group during the next comment period.

22 South Park Blocks Master Plan Design Concepts Community Comment Report - February 2020

Comments Submitted by Email Food Carts Thank you for your effort for making South Park Blocks a better place for all! :) Our little food carts are a part of day to day lives of people on SPB and after being here for 7 years, it feels like a we are a big family. Basha's food cart has been here for over 25 years. We have hung in here as small business owners and survived many conditions and obstacles we have faced here throughout the years. Our electricity (generator) usage was denied 1.5 years ago, after operating with generators for several years, but no other solution has been put forth. Loosing electricity has cost us thousands of dollars in trying to changing appliances and using solar panels, inverters, and deep cycle heavy batteries, which still does not get us through the whole day. having to bring in all the heavy stuff several times a day, everyday, has also come with physical restraints. Many carts have given up this location and even us who are left here, consider if we are going to survive.

I use to open my cart for breakfast at 7am-7pm, to accommodate to PSU library staff and early traffic and stayed after all others were closed; So, not only we have had to pay for new equipment and processes to provide power, we are losing many hours of sales and business opportunities to grow. All of us carts on Park blocks had to close down the three months of summer, due to the brutal experiences we had for the first year without power. I almost had a heat stroke last year because my batteries died in the middle of lunch rush and inside of my cart turned 173 degrees which I took pictures and shared with PSU and the City for hopes to get some help. I have also shared the email of pictures with Portland Business Alliance and they have been active in finding us a solution.

Due to our closure this summer, we have lost many of our regulars that came from pioneer square and waterfront areas because we were not there for three months of summer, that they could walk up to south park blocks during the sunny days. I've also lost many good employees because of the conditions and lack of schedule stability due to lack of our amenities.

We have been advocating and begging for at least electricity for our carts, or yet even a better solution such as a small stand alone shack that we can operate inside which can also provide water and power for farmers market or any other PSU or public activities that happen in our area while we are not in operation. This will also allow us to keep everything inside of our carts and eliminate coolers sitting outside and around our little 6x6 carts.

Sorry for all the little details, but I wanted to give you an idea and a good picture of what is happening, and of our needs. It was very nice to meet you and glad to see that there is someone in charge that is actively trying to help improve conditions on South Park Blocks.

Play Piece Since the meeting at 1500 SW. 8th where we discussed the upcoming 25-year plan for the S Park Blocks, I’ve been doing some more thinking about the gateway at the Southern end by the indigenous student center on PSU campus.

I think we could do an effective new play piece as an open-sided quarter-size model of a long house for climbing and imaginatory play. A long house would have its door facing the water (east to the Willamette River) It could be made of jungle gym type climbing material, some wood plank material fabricated of a synthetics that would avoid any splinters, molded shelves with reliefs of typical hand goods used at a long house.

23 South Park Blocks Master Plan Design Concepts Community Comment Report - February 2020

It might be approximately 12 feet by 20 feet. With 5 cubicles on each side of an open center corridor. Most cubicles but not all would have ‘shelves’ about one foot off the ground with reliefs of objects typically used. One of bows and arrows, another of stone/wood working tools, another of fishing tools (nets, hooks and stone weights) another of kitchen and sewing goods. Being reliefs allows engagement by 1. Paper and chalk rubbing.

2. Imaginatory play of outdoor large muscle activity and not just housekeeping activity as might be typical for a traditional ‘house” 3. Representation of typical equipment developed and used on this land.

A traditional longhouse in the area would have movable roof planks to let out smoke, let in light and air. However I think this trait is doubtful with respect to children safety. It goes without saying (although I just have) Such a piece should be designed for children’s safety as well as authenticity. Pits for acorn leaching, fire, cooking are tempting but implementation may be problematic.

I would be delighted to participate in future planning. thanks

Dog Park Around Thanksgiving I saw signs up along the South Park Blocks soliciting public comments to help inform the South Park Blocks Master Plan. While I was unable to attend the public meeting at that time, I would like to offer my input.

I think one of the best, most feasible, and affordable things that the City of Portland could do with the South Park Blocks would be to convert a block (or half block) into a public dog park. There are several reasons why I think this is a good idea: • Clear and demonstrated demand: Based on the current population in the South Park Blocks, there is clearly a need for a space for dogs and their humans to play and socialize. Visit the South Park Blocks any time of day, any day of the week, and you will see people walking their dogs. Many people already use the informal dog park on PSU campus, but this is not fenced or maintained as an official dog park, and thereby does not create the dedicated space that would so benefit the local community.

• Reduce impact to other parts of the park: Providing a dedicated space for dog-walkers would improve their quality of life while also concentrating dogs in a single, dedicated space, thereby reducing the impact of dogs to other parts of the park (and the local business community). Moreover, given urban lifestyle trends and new developments in the neighborhood, we can only expect to see more residents - and dogs - in the neighborhood in the coming years.

• Fits the vision of the Master Plan: The vision of the the South Parks Master Plan includes: gathering spaces for community and connect[ing] neighbors. A dog park clearly achieves these goals. Visit any other dog park in the city and you will see neighbors socializing, getting to know each other, and enjoying time outside. It would be great to offer this same benefit to the South Park Blocks community.

• Limited impact to the tree canopy: Portland Parks could create a dog park in the South Park Blocks without impacting the tree canopy. Only the ground would be impacted (with the addition of fencing and perhaps bark chips or other ground cover). Indeed, a dog park would help many residents enjoy the existing tree canopy without a negative impact.

24 South Park Blocks Master Plan Design Concepts Community Comment Report - February 2020

November 27, 2019 TO: Mayor Ted Wheeler – mayorwheeler@portlandoregon.gov Commissioner Chloe Eudaly, City Commissioner for Transportation – chloe@portlandoregon.gov Commissioner Nick Fish, City Commissioner for Parks – nick@portlandoregon.gov Subject: South Park Blocks Master Plan/Green Loop/Pedestrian Safety The Downtown Neighborhood Association (DNA) writes to warn of potential pedestrian-bicycle conflicts that need addressing at an early stage of the South Park Master Planning process, which at this point includes three concept options1 of running the Green Loop along the two north-south parallel streets (Park Avenue East and West) bordering the South Park Blocks.

The DNA supports dedicated bike lanes as an important part of the City’s transportation planning.

However, the DNA currently questions the concept of having dedicated lanes of the Green Loop run along the South Park Blocks for a number of reasons.

Given that: •

Hundreds of children come each week to the Cultural District (northern 3 blocks) by school buses to attend free arts programming offered by the Portland Art Museum, the Oregon Historical Society and the Portland5. o To accommodate all needs of these critical Portland institutions, the DNA recommends reaching out to the leadership all of these organizations to understand potential impacts on school bus parking, deliveries of children, and child safety with children assembling in the park blocks. o Portland5 indicates to the DNA that they serve 1,400 Title I children each week in their enrichment programming.

•

Kindergartens/preschools in the area bring children to the park blocks during the day to play, usually crossing the Park Avenues with a couple of teachers guiding them.

•

This is the only green space available to West End residents. Per city statistics2, there are no (0.00) open spaces currently in the West End, which holds one of the highest densities of affordable and “missing middle” housing and in the area. Given no alternative West End green space, the Park Blocks are heavily used and are a crucial green space for all downtown residents. As you are doubtless aware, the health benefits of green spaces and trees are well documented. The highest priority in the popular park blocks and adjacent Park Avenue(s) should be pedestrian safety. o Please keep in mind, there is no alternative green space for this population3, but there are plenty of other streets where bicycles can ride. Would the Green Loop be more appropriate on Broadway? We understand the “commuter” bike lanes are planned to be on Broadway, so combining the Green Loop with that is a possibility. o Cyclists could still take a side trip from a Broadway Green Loop to any destination within the park blocks. They just would not have a dedicated lane.

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•

Madison Street pedestrian-only walkways join the streetcar stops on 10th and 11th with the Park Blocks at Madison/Park. Hundreds of commuters/residents heading to downtown offices or shops or to the Cultural District organizations use the passageways day and night, resulting in heavy eastwest pedestrian traffic crossing both (east and west) Park Avenues. Because current on-street parking reduces the single car lane to one narrow lane, cars go very slowly; parked cars on both sides of the street currently act to protect pedestrians on sidewalks. Pedestrians can easily and safely cross a narrow, single lane of slow-moving cars.

•

Auto drivers are licensed and cars registered, so tracking and enforcement of violations is possible.

Because cyclists are neither trained nor licensed and because bicycles are not registered so not traceable, it is not possible to report violations. This lack of enforcement likely contributes to the many violations and “encounters” nearby residents witness/experience already today, without an increase of more cyclists the Green Loop would bring.

•

The Wednesday Farmer’s Market draws hundreds of people4 including school children, most on foot from nearby residential and office buildings. Heavy east-west street/park block crossings by pedestrians are common. o Vendors also need temporary parking to be able to deliver their produce and set up their temporary stands in Shemanski Park which would be complicated by a bike lane in place of parking spaces. o To reduce conflicts between distracted shoppers and cyclists, at least on market-day, closing down these bike lanes would also seem advisable.

•

Hundreds of people attend the churches that line the South Park Blocks certainly on Sundays, which is also a popular day for cycling. Worshippers come by foot, by public transportation or car from the suburbs (needing parking), but they all end up on the sidewalks and the park blocks as pedestrians.

In addition, these churches host a lot of other programming during the week. o We suggest it will be important to contact all these churches directly to hear their assessment of the impact of an increase in bicycles and a loss of parking. o The churches to be contacted are First Congregational United Church of Christ, St James Lutheran Church, Sixth Church of Christ Scientist, and First Christian Church.

•

When asked in the Parks survey how people usually travel to the South Park Blocks, the overwhelming majority come by foot (nearly 90%). Cyclists weren’t even close (less than 10%).5

As a result, the following recommendations are presented for consideration: 1. Consider moving the Green Loop to Broadway to keep the park a pedestrian-priority area to minimize cycle and e-scooter conflicts with pedestrians. Prioritize pedestrian safety.

2. If Broadway is not possible, make any bike lanes on the 3 northern Cultural District blocks walk-only for bicycles. Along the three other (so-called) “orphan-residential” blocks north of Market, install bike lane street lights/stop signs at each north-south bike lane intersection with Market, Clay, Columbia, and Jefferson. All four of these major streets are high traffic volume 2|Page

commuter/evacuation/emergency streets. Add pedestrian midblock, raised crosswalks with stop signs for bicycle lanes only. Cars already stop at any sign of pedestrians midblock or at crosswalks but cyclists do not, so pedestrian-priority signage would be important.

3. Create new design features that effectively force cyclists to slow down along the park blocks.

Options might be rumble strips or raised tables at cross walks, etc. (Emergency vehicles also need to be accommodated as design features are created.)

4. Make violation enforcement possible by a cyclist licensing and bicycle registration program. Fees might help support bicycle lane maintenance. Bicycle violation enforcement is today a safety concern often cited.6 The DNA appreciates the City and both Commissions giving a close and critical look at the placement of the Green Loop in this dense residential, urban, largely hardscaped neighborhood whose residents walk much of the time and are heavy users of this particular city park.

At this early stage of the South Park Blocks Master Plan, the DNA is opposed to the Green Loop being placed along the South Park Block, preferring it be on Broadway. However, the DNA is open to discussions and to working with the City. Pedestrian safety remains our top priority.

Finally, it would be useful to know who has final authority on where the Green Loop will be located. We were advised that the Green Loop is part of the South Park Blocks Master Plan, but that neither the Design Commission nor the Historic Landmarks Commission have the final authority over this particular master plan. This seems at odds with CC2035 master plan guidelines (33.510.255 E.) Clarification of this process and the final approving authority would be useful.

Thank you for your consideration.

Sincerely,

Walter Weyler Chair, Downtown Neighborhood Association (DNA) Cc:

Wendy Rahm Chair, DNA Land Use Transportation Committee

Todd Lofgren, Senior Policy Director office of Nick Fish— [todd.lofgren@portlandoregon.gov] Historic Landmarks Commission (c/o Hillary Adam [Hillary.Adam@portlandoregon.gov]) Design Commission (c/o Art Graves [arthur.graves@portlandoregon.gov]) PBOT Director, Chris Warner – PBOTDirector@portlandoregon.gov Portland Parks, Brett Horner – Brett.Horner@portlandoregon.gov Portland Parks, Tate White – Tate.White@portlandoregon.gov PPS, Rachael Hoy – Rachael.Hoy@portlandoregon.gov PPS, Brandon Spencer-Hartle – brandon.spencer@portlandoregon.gov 3|Page

NOTES: 1 . “South Park Blocks Master Plan, Master Plan Concepts”/elements/Movement and Experience, October 2019 (presentation documents) 2 . CC2035 Vol5A p.59, adopted by City Council June 2018, effective July 9 2018.

3.

“South Park Blocks Master Plan, Visioning Survey Results,” September 2019, [https://www.portlandoregon.gov/parks/article/746830] p. 5. Graph 4 shows reasons people visit the South Park Blocks: From top of the list in descending order are: “Shop at Portland Farmers Market”(75%); “enjoy nature and be outdoors” (68%); “on way to cultural events, performances, concerts, church” (65%); and “it’s the closest greenspace to my home (55%).” All other reasons were well below 50%.

4 Ibid.

5 Ibid. P4. Question 3. “How do you usually travel to the South Park Blocks on a weekday and weekend day.?”

6 Ibid. Some relevant excerpted comments: “Main safety issue is unlawful and reckless thoroughfare of e-scooters and bicycles;” ”…just several occasions where I have seen people almost get hit by people riding their bikes;” “Concerned about danger from bicycles, scooters, skateboarders running into pedestrians – esp. senior citizens;” “ Bikers walking their bikes would be great. Scooters should ‘scoot’ elsewhere;” “No scooters/bicycles;” ”Bicycles and scooters should not be on the sidewalks.”

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December 16, 2019 Commissioner Nick Fish City of Portland 1221 SW 4th Ave. Portland, OR 97204 RE: South Park Blocks Master Plan Dear Commissioner Fish, As Greater Portland’s Chamber of Commerce, the Portland Business Alliance (Alliance) represents more than 1,900 small, medium and large businesses throughout the seven county region. Alliance members and members of our Central City Standing Committee value the opportunity to comment on the three proposed South Park Blocks master plans.

First, we would like to thank the staff of Portland Parks & Recreation for taking the time to develop a master plan that guides the improvement of the South Park blocks. We applaud the process for the development and refinement of the master plan concepts. We also appreciate the inclusion of members of the Downtown Portland Clean & Safe district on the year-long advisory committee.

We are supportive of the process the parks department went through in order to deliver these master concepts and will be supportive of the outcomes from this process.

The Alliance would like to reiterate the value of safety in the park blocks, highlighted in the community survey, encouraging safety improvements. We are also supportive of transportation improvements for all modes and would discourage the closure or narrowing of any streets within this section of the blocks, except where noted below. Activity along the South Park Blocks is essential to positive activation to park and to discourage unwanted behavior.

In the community survey, 86% of respondents listed safety as very important to the improvements made in the planning process, with 50% listing safety as an area in need of improvement. It is vital that safety is a component of these concepts, with activation and crime prevention techniques deployed in these public spaces. Increased lighting, well maintained park fixtures and landscaping, and clearly defined paths for pedestrians and bicycles should also be included in the final design. The installation of security or park rangers within the blocks to maintain safety and encourage community activation should also be explored.

In addition, we are supportive of safety infrastructure for pedestrians and bicyclists proposed in the three concepts, such as the introduction of crosswalks, signalized intersections, and dedicated bike and pedestrian paths. Creating a separated bicycle path from pedestrians along SW Park Ave, will encourage the safety of pedestrians in the park blocks.

Furthermore, the streets near the South Park blocks are essential connections for commuters and restricting or removing access to these streets will exacerbate congestion within downtown. The Alliance opposes the closure or narrowing of any streets that provides through traffic, especially streets with transit service and freeway access. However, we support the considered closure of SW Madison Street as outlined on the Emerald Arrow and Braided District concepts, as it will not restrict commute patterns since it is already a dead-end street along SW Park Ave. Lastly, to ensure the success of the South Park Blocks revitalization, a sustainable funding model should be developed to provide ongoing maintenance and operation of the park blocks. If programming is introduced, continual funding needs to be identified as a way to keep those programs running. Building community spaces is an excellent opportunity to encourage positive activation of the park blocks, but to ensure the use of maintenance of these important city assets as outlined in these master plan concepts is crucial.

Sincerely,

Andrew Hoan President & CEO Portland Business Alliance

Portland Business Alliance

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Roosevelt Hotel Hotel

Lot Owned by Portland Art Museum

Masonic Temple

Rothko Pavilion (Future)

St. James Lutheran Church

Cumberland Apartments

Jeanne Manor Apartment Building

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Simon Benson Residence

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Peter W Stott Center & Viking Pavilion

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Sixth Church of Christ, Scientist

UNIVERSITY DISTRICT

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Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall

Portland’5 Centers for the Arts

First Congregational Church

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1500 SW Park Avenue

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6TH

Existing Conditions Map FullResidential Existing Tree Canopy (approx.)

Residential - Planned or Construction Lawn Residential / Commercial Ground Native / Ornamental Mix Plant Bed Level Religious Affiliation Rose Bed Institutional

Historic Landmark Park Block Tax Lot Development Opportunity

Institutional - Planned or Construction Commercial Educational Educational - Residential

Source: 2019 Mayer/Reed Fieldwork and Site Documentation, Next Portland, PortlandMaps Open Data, COP GIS, 2019 MHA Tree Inventor y, 2019 MIG, Inc. Fieldwork and Site Documentation, ESRI orthoimager y, South_Park_Blocks_Base.dwg

SOUTH PARK BLOCKS // master plan

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South Park Blocks Design Options

We are presenting three design concepts for your review and input. Please find an overview of the major elements of each concept on the next six pages.

The Emerald Arrow Concept emphasizes the pedestrian experience along a central promenade and two dominant character areas in the South Park Blocks, the Cultural District and the University District. New event spaces, crossing treatments, and closed streets improve pedestrian connections between blocks in the Cultural District, evoking an emerald arrow through the blocks.

South Park Blocks Design Options continued

The Braided Districts Concept braids together three districts in the South Park Blocks: the campus, neighborhood blocks, and institutions. Enhanced corner crossings in the neighborhood blocks create opportunities for social interaction and also improve crossing safety and pedestrian visibility.

South Park Blocks Design Options continued

The Mirrored Chain Concept reflects needs of individual adjacent block uses whether they be educational, residential, religious, mixed-use commercial businesses, or cultural institutions. The South Park Blocks are linked together like a chain with added gateways, interactive art, and all ages play opportunities.

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South Park Blocks Master Plan Draft Preferred Design Community Comment Report

November 2020 South Park Blocks Draft Preferred Design Community Comment Report

1

Contents Introduction

Page 2

Survey Respondent Demographics

Page 3

Major Themes from Focus Groups

Page 5

Survey Results

Page 6

Focus Group Summaries

Page 40

Comments Submitted by Email

Page 42

South Park Blocks Master Plan Project www.portlandoregon.gov/parks/spb Contact: Barbara Hart 503-823-5596 barbara.hart@portlandoregon.gov

South Park Blocks Draft Preferred Design Community Comment Report

2

Introduction Portland Parks & Recreation is working with the community to develop a plan for a South Park Blocks that is safe, accessible, and welcoming for all Portlanders. The plan will address key challenges and opportunities, including maintaining a healthy tree canopy, making the park more accessible for all users, retaining park character while enhancing connections, and providing space for community events.

Portland Parks & Recreation began the South Parks Block planning process by convening a Community Advisory Committee to guide the project and launching a community visioning process in Summer 2019 to inform the development of three draft design concepts. The draft concepts were shared with the community in Fall 2019. The feedback on the design concepts guided the development of a Draft Preferred Design.

The community engagement approach for this stage of the project was designed to: • • • •

Enlist community participation in the design review process with a special focus on PSU students, the Native American Community Advisory Council and Parks Accessibility Advisory Committee; Explain how community feedback and ideas heard during the draft concept phase influenced the development of Draft Preferred Design; Gather and understand community feedback on the Draft Preferred Design to develop a preferred park design; and, Strengthen community relationships and build support for the South Park Blocks and PP&R.

This third stage of engagement included two meetings of the Community Advisory Committee, discussions with stakeholder groups and organizations, a focus group with PSU students, consultations with the Parks Accessibility Advisory Committee and monthly briefings for the Native American Community Advisory Council. Briefings were provided for a joint meeting of the Design and Historic Landmarks Commissions, the Urban Forestry Commission, Portland’5 Centers for the Arts, PSU Campus and Facility Planning Staff, Portland Business Alliance, and the First Congregational United Church of Christ.

An online open house for the draft preferred design was held in June 2020. This open house was available in English and Spanish and gave community members the opportunity to review the draft preferred design and provide feedback through a survey. The open house was viewed 1,050 times and the survey received 220 responses. This report provides survey respondent demographic data and their responses to the survey.

South Park Blocks Draft Preferred Design Community Comment Report

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Survey Respondent Demographics Where do you live?

Answer Choice Northwest Portland Southwest Portland North Portland Northeast Portland Southeast Portland East Portland Portland Metropolitan Area Outside Portland Metropolitan Area Prefer Not to Answer

Percentage 8.42% 34.65% 9.41% 11.88% 20.79% 2.48% 6.93% 2.48% 2.97%

Responses 17 70 19 24 42 5 14 5 6

What year were you born?

Answer Choice After 2000 1990-1999 1980-1989 1970-1979 1960-1969 1950-1959 1940-1949 Before 1940 Prefer not to answer

Percentage 0.0% 8.59% 25.25% 12.12% 15.15% 14.65% 16.67% 3.03% 4.55%

Responses 0 17 50 24 30 29 33 6 9

When asked to identify your racial or ethnic identity, how do you identify? (Pick all that apply) Answer Choice Percentage Responses American Indian or Alaska Native 0.98% 2 Asian or Asian American 1.96% 4 Black or African American 1.47% 3 Hispanic or Latino/A/X 2.45% 5 Middle Eastern/North African 0.98% 2 Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander 0.98% 2 White 77.45% 158 Unknown/Don’t Know 0.49% 1 Prefer not to answer 14.22% 29 Not listed above (please specify) 4.9% 10

*Responses to “not listed above”: Russian (born and immigrated to the US); forcing an answer helps with stats but not participation; Norwegian; Norwegian American; German American; Slavic; immigrant; Slavic; Irish American; Human Race

South Park Blocks Draft Preferred Design Community Comment Report

4 How do you identify your gender?

Answer Choice Percentage Responses Female 41.41% 82 Male 42.93% 85 Transmasculine 0.51% 1 Transfeminine 0.51% 1 Genderqueer/Androgynous 2.53% 5 Prefer not to answer 11.11% 22 Not listed above (please specify) 2.02% 4 *Responses to “not listed above”: forcing an answer helps with stats but not participation; nonbinary; Non-Binary; I don’t “identify” anything. My SEX is female. Gender is a […] collection of stereotypes.

Do you or a family member live with a disability or identify as a disabled person?

Answer Choice Percentage Responses Yes 24.12% 48 No 75.88% 151

If yes, please described the nature of you and/or your family member’s disability. (Please check all that apply) Answer Choice Percentage Responses Mobility (e.g., walking, climbing stairs) 32.2% 19 Visual (e.g., blind, low vision) 6.78% 4 Deaf or hard-of-hearing 6.78% 4 Cognitive (e.g., traumatic brain injury, learning disability 13.56% 8 Mental Health (e.g., anxiety, PTSD) 28.81% 17 Intellectual or developmental (e.g., Down syndrome, 3.39% 2 fragile X syndrome) Invisible (e.g., diabetes, HIV, cancer) 15.25% 9 Prefer not to disclose 23.73% 14 Prefer to describe 6.78% 4 * Responses to “prefer to describe”: forcing an answer helps with stats but not participation; Neurological/mobility; cerebral palsy; Nowhere to put this comment - I own 1 rental property along the park blocks. My son lived in the condo for 7 years, I may end up moving there in a couple more years. I consider this my neighborhood although I don't live there currently.

South Park Blocks Draft Preferred Design Community Comment Report

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Focus Groups – What We Heard Survey respondents tend to be predominantly White and from higher income groups with resources that support a higher level of involvement in planning processes than other communities who experience competing priorities and barriers to participation. Focus groups are important for providing opportunities to have deeper conversations with groups we hear from less frequently. In addition to the survey, the focus group with students at Portland State University was reconvened and a focused meeting with members of the Native American Community Advisory Council was held over the Zoom meeting interface.

Major themes from the PSU Focus Group •

The Draft Preferred Design has worked towards incorporating a lot of different ideas and seems like a good compromise;

•

Like the addition of evergreen trees – important for stormwater management;

•

Concerned about anti-skate design elements as skateboarding is a legitimate and more affordable form of transportation for many;

•

Please continue to work towards making more inclusive spaces, important to make sure that everyone feels welcome;

•

Favor for representing more diversity in cultures and identities, the historic presentation opposition seems like coded language;

•

Work at telling more diverse stories through visuals that are reminder of roots of Portland – great for visitors;

•

Like the idea of bringing art into the park – look at San Francisco MOMA who provides art in public spaces that can be viewed without paying an entrance fee;

•

Please engage non-white artists for new work – the Portland Bureau of Transportation is working on a Black Street Art Request for Proposals that could be a good model;

•

Temporary canopy seems like it might be too labor intensive or costly; and,

•

Interest in continuing to be involved in transportation decisions around the Green Loop and crossing treatments.

Major themes from Native American Community Advisor Listening Check-in •

Concern over the historic focus on settler culture and the Euro-centric park design resulting in an erasure of Native American history and culture;

•

Disappointment about the number of elms proposed to be replanted with a concern a monoculture is being created – evergreen and native trees as well as species diversity provide more habitat value and resiliency;

•

Emphasis that the Roosevelt and Lincoln statues should be reconsidered; would be great to have a Native sculpture, something by a Black artist, and/or rotating temporary art instead; and,

•

Negative impression from lines of trees along central promenade, consider planting native understory to soften those lines and provide a more productive and restorative landscape.

South Park Blocks Draft Preferred Design Community Comment Report

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Survey Results – What We Heard Key Findings  Most respondents expressed favor for all proposed new features in the University District with relatively lower levels of favorability for the removable canopy at the Smith Amphitheater Plaza renovation and the Green Loop crossing at Block 2.  Most respondents expressed favor for proposed new features in the Cultural District with relatively lower levels of favorability for new social seating types at Blocks 7 and 8.  Most respondents expressed favor for the Tree Succession Strategy approaches in the University District with some disfavor expressed for replanting elm trees or comparable species in central rows.  Most respondents expressed favor for maintaining the overlapping tree canopy in the Cultural District and providing increased space for two rows of elms to become healthier and more resilient but notable disfavor for not replanting the central row of trees over time to support this increased space.  Significant support was expressed for proposed safety improvements related to transportation, inclusive design, clearer visibility, and opportunities for activated spaces throughout the day.  Concerns about the Draft Preferred Design expressed most frequently focused on: o The creation of an overly busy, cluttered space; o The addition of too much hardscape and activity with a loss of quiet, green space; and, o Conflicts with the historic park design and reduction of elm trees over time.  Many contrasting views were expressed related to the Green Loop, bicycles, and cars: o Support for the Green Loop and improving bicycle accessibility along the park blocks and contrasting concerns about bicycles and the Green Loop negatively impacting the experiences of park users. o Disappointment that there are not more car-free areas proposed with contrasting concerns about the reduction in car access, loading, and parking.  Many comments were expressed related to the need to reconsider the relevance and appropriateness of the Roosevelt and Lincoln statues.

South Park Blocks Draft Preferred Design Community Comment Report

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1. Please tell us what you think about the key features of the Draft Preferred Design in the University District: Strongly/Somewhat Like

Strongly/Somewhat Dislike

Don't Know/No Opinion

Addition of native planting areas at Blocks 1 and 5

79%

New play experience and gathering area at Block 1

71%

Space for rotating exhibits for new and permanent art at Block 6

65%

29%

New flexible gathering plaza at Block 2

65%

30%

Shared Use Path for the Green Loop through Block 2 and west of the park

55%

38%

Renovation of Smith Amphitheater Plaza and removable canopy at Block 4

55%

41%

Strongly Like

Somewhat Like

Somewhat Dislike

Addition of native planting areas at Blocks 1 and 5

49%

New play experience and gathering area at Block 1

40%

Space for rotating exhibits for new and permanent art at Block 6

38%

New flexible gathering plaza at Block 2

33%

Shared Use Path for the Green Loop through Block 2 and west of the park

39%

Renovation of Smith Amphitheater Plaza and removable canopy at Block 4

32%

4%

17%

5%

25%

Strongly Dislike

South Park Blocks Draft Preferred Design Community Comment Report

5%

Don't Know/No Opinion

30%

8% 9%

32%

13%

16%

13%

18%

9% 29%

13%

28%

4%

5%

10% 14%

26%

22%

5%

7%

30%

16%

6%

6% 5%

7%

5%

8

2. Please tell us what you think about the key features of the Draft Preferred Design in the Cultural District: Strongly/Somewhat Like

Strongly/Somewhat Dislike

New Madison Plaza gathering space between Blocks 10 and 11, with a permanent closure to non-emergency vehicles

63%

Separated bikeway with green buffer for Green Loop along Park Avenue West

60%

Central promenade and central street crossings

64%

Spaces for interactive artwork at Blocks 8, 10 and 11

60%

New social seating types at Blocks 7 and 8

58%

Strongly Like

Somewhat Like

Somewhat Dislike

Don't Know/No Opinion

7%

30%

9%

31%

6%

30%

8%

33%

5%

37%

Strongly Dislike

Don't Know/No Opinion

New Madison Plaza gathering space between Blocks 10 and 11, with a permanent closure to non-emergency vehicles

48%

15%

Separated bikeway with green buffer for Green Loop along Park Avenue West

49%

11% 8% 24%

Central promenade and central street crossings

42%

Spaces for interactive artwork at Blocks 8, 10 and 11

31%

29%

New social seating types at Blocks 7 and 8

31%

27%

South Park Blocks Draft Preferred Design Community Comment Report

22%

10% 20%

9% 22%

15%

14%

17%

23%

7%

9%

6%

8%

5%

9

2. What do you think of the following approaches to the Tree Succession Strategy in the University District?

Strongly/Somewhat Like

Strongly/Somewhat Dislike

Tree canopies will overlap at their edges to provide shade and enclosure similar to the current experience in the park.

81%

A variety of compatible deciduous trees (medium and large) are added to maintain the visual presence of planted rows and increase the resiliency of the tree canopy.

77%

Elm trees or comparable species are present in a central row of plantings with breaks for pathways and plazas.

66%

Strongly Like

Somewhat Like

Somewhat Dislike

Don't Know/No Opinion

12% 7%

11%

13%

14%

20%

Strongly Dislike

Don't Know/No Opinion 4%

Tree canopies will overlap at their edges to provide shade and enclosure similar to the current experience in the park.

58%

23%

8% 7% 4%

A variety of compatible deciduous trees (medium and large) are added to maintain the visual presence of planted rows and increase the resiliency of the tree canopy.

48%

Elm trees or comparable species are present in a central row of plantings with breaks for pathways and plazas.

43%

South Park Blocks Draft Preferred Design Community Comment Report

28%

23%

8% 11%

8% 12% 14%

10

4. What do you think of the following approaches to the Tree Succession Strategy in the Cultural District?

Strongly/Somewhat Like

Strongly/Somewhat Dislike

Tree canopies will overlap at their edges to provide shade and enclosure to preserve the current experience of being in the South Park Blocks.

Over2nd time, 2nd4th androws 4th rows of elms framing Over time, and of elms framing thethe promenade are provided more growing room and solar promenade are provided more growing room and solar exposure using a new spacing standard resulting in exposure using a new spacing standard resulting in healthier, stronger trees. A variety of compatible healthier, stronger trees. A variety of compatible deciduous trees (medium and large) are added to the deciduous trees (medium and large) are added to the…

Don't Know/No Opinion

80%

11% 9%

65%

23%

11%

park’s edges over time.

Center planters are removed over time, with no tree replacement taking place.

Strongly Like

Somewhat Like

27%

Somewhat Dislike

57%

15%

Strongly Dislike

Don't Know/No Opinion 3%

Tree canopies will overlap at their edges to provide shade and enclosure to preserve the current experience of being in the South Park Blocks.

Over2nd time, 2nd and 4th rows of elms framing Over time, and 4th rows of elms framing thethe promenade are provided more growing room and solar promenade are provided more growing room and solar exposure new spacing standard resulting exposure using using a newa spacing standard resulting in in healthier, stronger trees.

A variety of compatible healthier, stronger trees. A variety of compatible deciduous (medium large) addedtotothe… the deciduous treestrees (medium andand large) areare added

27%

53%

34%

32%

8% 9%

9% 14% 11%

park’s edges over time.

Center planters are removed over time, with no tree replacement taking place.

14% 13%

South Park Blocks Draft Preferred Design Community Comment Report

19%

38%

15%

11

3. The plan recommends several safety improvements throughout the park. Do you support these safety improvements?

Strongly/Somewhat Support

Strongly/Somewhat Oppose

Recommendation to PBOT to continue to study the safest crossing treatments and signal improvements

86%

Improved surfacing and inclusive design of new park features to increase accessibility

83%

Centralized crossings in the Cultural District and raised median islands where appropriate to make crossings safer and shorten pedestrian crossing distances

79%

Separated bike lane for the Green Loop along Park Avenue West in the Cultural District

64%

Clearer visibility to provide park users a higher perception of safety and awareness of their surroundings

67%

More opportunities for activated spaces throughout the day

59%

Strongly Support

Somewhat Support

Somewhat Oppose

Recommendation to PBOT to continue to study the safest crossing treatments and signal improvements

Don't Know/No Opinion

10%

4%

4%

13%

16% 6%

28%

8%

5%

29%

33%

Strongly Oppose

8%

Don't Know/No Opinion 2%

60%

8%

26%

4%

4%

Improved surfacing and inclusive design of new park features to increase accessibility

58%

Centralized crossings in the Cultural District and raised median islands where appropriate to make crossings safer and shorten pedestrian crossing distances

54%

Separated bike lane for the Green Loop along Park Avenue West in the Cultural District

54%

Clearer visibility to provide park users a higher perception of safety and awareness of their surroundings

42%

More opportunities for activated spaces throughout the day

35%

8%

26%

4%

7% 9%6%

24% 4%

South Park Blocks Draft Preferred Design Community Comment Report

10%

25%

24%

8%

24%

17%

12% 22%

5%

12%

8%

12

4. How well do you think the Draft Preferred Design for the South Park Blocks accomplishes each of the project goals, as defined below?

Fully/Mostly Accomplishes Goal

Partially Accomplishes Goal

Does Not Accomplish Goal

Don't Know/No Opinion

Expand opportunities for a variety of uses and activities for people of all ages and abilities

60%

17%

Provide strategic guidance for the management of the character-defining trees on site, including a succession planting scheme

60%

13%

Establish recommendations for a future alignment of the Green Loop that balances the needs of bicyclists and pedestrians, promotes safety for all transportation modes, and benefits park users

49%

Account for adjacent uses and development trends along the park blocks, including the University and Cultural Districts and increasing residential densities

51%

Develop a community supported park design

47%

Reflect the capacities, resources and strengths of the many stewards of the South Park Blocks

42%

Understand, respect and reflect the complexities of the park blocks' history

40%

South Park Blocks Draft Preferred Design Community Comment Report

22%

19%

24%

20%

16%

16%

19%

24%

14%

24%

35%

7%

16%

8%

12%

9%

9%

17%

9%

13 Fully Accomplishes Goal

Mostly Accomplishes Goal

Does Not Accomplish Goal

Don't Know/No Opinion

Partially Accomplishes Goal

Expand opportunities for a variety of uses and activities for people of all ages and abilities

31%

30%

Provide strategic guidance for the management of the character-defining trees on site, including a succession planting scheme

32%

28%

Establish recommendations for a future alignment of the Green Loop that balances the needs of bicyclists and pedestrians, promotes safety for all transportation modes, and benefits park users

31%

18%

Account for adjacent uses and development trends along the park blocks, including the University and Cultural Districts and increasing residential densities

26%

Develop a community supported park design

24%

Reflect the capacities, resources and strengths of the many stewards of the South Park Blocks

22%

20%

Understand, respect and reflect the complexities of the park blocks' history

22%

18%

South Park Blocks Draft Preferred Design Community Comment Report

16%

17%

19%

13%

24%

14%

22%

19%

25%

24%

20%

22%

16%

16%

24%

35%

7%

8%

12%

9%

9%

17%

9%

14

7. Do you have any other comments, or anything else you want to tell us?

This question gave participants the opportunity for open-ended responses. The responses (179 total) were sorted by themes, and the number shown after the heading indicates how many times the topic was mentioned. Some people addressed more than one topic in their responses to these questions. Comments that addressed multiple topics were divided and appear as separate responses under the most relevant theme headings.

Q7 Response Themes 1. Overall Assessment of Draft Design • Block 1 • Block 2 and 3 • Block 4 • Block 5-9 • Block 10 and 11 • Block 12 2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

9.

10.

11.

12.

13.

14.

15.

16.

17.

18.

19.

20.

21.

22.

23.

24.

25.

26.

27.

Park Character / Green Space (27) Bicycles (23) Historic Preservation and Nomination (23) Pedestrian Safety / Street Crossings (21) City Funding Priorities (18) Community Engagement and Comment Survey (17) Green Loop (16) Cars on Park Avenue (16) Tree Canopy and Tree Succession Plan (15) No changes (15) Seating (14) Plantings (14) Trees (13) Central Promenade (13) Vehicle Traffic and Parking (12) Maintenance and Security (10) Parking (9) Statues (9) Art (9) Homeless / Houseless Community (8) Lawn and Grass (7) Restrooms / Portland Loo (4) Dogs (4) Skateboards (3) Questions Other / General

South Park Blocks Draft Preferred Design Community Comment Report

15 Overall Assessment of Draft Design • • • • • • • • • • •

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

I can't wait to see the final result.

Essential to retain open space for Farmers Market.

I would also like to see treatments to deal with stormwater runoff.

Please integrate Central City wayfinding into this project (bike/ped) Keep it simple!!!

Don't encourage a lot of events.

I think this looks great.

There's a lot in this Master Plan to be excited about, and I am grateful for the clear attention and thought that's been put into making these public spaces vibrant, accessible, and beautiful.

Otherwise, great job.

I support the masterplan I have worked on the park blocks since 1973. I really like what this plan is hoping to accomplish. It is a fresh, modern look that adds a great diversity to the look and appeal of the space. I look forward to seeing it take shape.

Excellent assessment and proposed transformation of the urban fabric, community users and long-term growth of Portland's downtown!

Plan should reflect connections to currently proposed developments along the park blocks such as PAM. Unify park blocks rather than divide them- this plan makes it look like two different parks rather than one because of way north end was reconfigured with central path. Don't like.

Creates two separate parks rather than unifying all 12 blocks The South Park Master Plan calls for the addition of many new features that will clutter the open spaces do not clutter the park.

Clutters the restrained design, over programs it Does little to accommodate different ethnic interests (ie., Asian and African Americans).

This proposal looks great overall, though. Great job balancing upgrades with preservation of the current feel and historic nature of the parks blocks.

Overall - a great plan. I can tell a tremendous amount of thought has been put into this plan!

On the positive, larger gathering spaces, separated bike paths, closing of some streets, more art are all great.

Thank you for these ideas.

I looked at your plan and was impressed! I feel like the future of the South Park Blocks is in good hands!

Thank you for your hard work and your caring!

Great initiative overall.

Thanks for putting the plan out and I am sure I won’t be around to see the new trees fill in but I’m glad it’s being planned.

I live in the Park Blocks and am delighted about the possibility of these plans coming to fruition.

Generally, I think the design incorporates many of the ideas voiced by people over the course of the planning process. Thank you!

Accessibility and universal design are key.

Very ambitious. .In terms of wayfinding, including more options for blind and low vision folks would be useful, perhaps with interactive kiosks at various locations that include visual and auditory information Some of the ideas are great but some of the ideas are really awful and expensive.

I am very disappointed with this plan.

Overall fairly disappointed in many aspects of the plan.

South Park Blocks Draft Preferred Design Community Comment Report

16 •

• • •

• •

•

•

• •

• • •

• • • • • • •

I'm very disappointed in the plan. The new structures are a bad idea, keep the open space and the historic character of the park. Keep the rose planters! Rose City! Don't add a lot of hard pavement, keep the plantings.

This is a plan for a plans sake. It is not reflective of current or hoped for park use. This is a neighborhood park!!

This is such an incredibly disappointing plan. Please throw it out.

This plan dismantles the park, block by block, when the goal should to unify the park, and make it cohesive, with long visual sight-lines, the “allée” of 5 rows of deciduous trees (preferably Elms). Fragmenting it will lead to piecemeal destruction, block by block. You only have a “whole park” once.

This proposal destroys the serenity of a park designed by Olmstead. The proposed plan is amateurish.

The Park Blocks are beautiful. Yes, repave them for wheelchair users and maybe add some art if you want, but do not remove the elms and do not add those ugly "new Portland" art features that make everything look like the Pearl District. This plan is so out of touch it hurts.

There is WAY too much proposed in these plans. The urban design elements are all good, but it’s not a smart approach to shove every trendy tactical urban element in a few blocks. The area doesn’t feel cohesive and there’s no common thread running through the blocks. Pare it down to a few elements. I don’t know enough about trees and urban forestry to have a say on the plantings. This is a crappy way to get feedback-you bombarded a reader with too many planning elements The Master Plan does not clearly convey what’s being impacted, in terms of tree succession plan, changes to walkway systems (2 narrow walkways vs single wider one), addition of communal tables/seating, “temporary” canopy additions, pedestrian-bike interactions/safety, etc.

This is a fun project for designers, but the results are overdone. Simple beats complex. Keep the design simple, as it has been. Don't let a desire to create more stuff take over. That appears to have been the result.

Creating additional public space for events is a double-edged sword - if they're being used and the space is activated, it's great. The minute those spaces aren't used, they become a vacuum and houseless folks come in to sleep on the social seating.

This plan is an urban planners dreamscape but covid 19 just reminded everyone the benefits of living outside the urban core.

With covid19 the designs do not take being spaced apart into account.

Part of Portland’s appeal is its adherence to vintage beauty. We do not need hi-tech looking remodels that detract from that! Some of the recommended changes are ok, but I do not support complete overhaul!!

This design was far too cluttered.

The plan does not address the underlying main needs of the Blocks before anything else can happen.

Surely there’s a better way to revitalize the Park Blocks than to make them look and feel like a tacky, ugly theme park.

This is way too complicated. I have a master's of urban and regional planning from PSU and I can't follow it.

I am also concerned with how all community members will interact within each block setting. Will the design attract and isolate people based on demographics/economic status?

The additional hard surfaces proposed at each block is anti-ethical to the use of the South Park Blocks. There are plenty of other hard surface gathering places west of the park blocks on the PSU campus.

TOO MUCH PAVEMENT!!! The greenness of the Park Blocks is necessarily jeopardized by the death of the elm trees. The creation of a wide promenade replacing the double paths worsens the problem. Greenery near the park blocks is likely going away. Specifically, the shrubs adjacent to block one just south of Shattuck School, along the former tennis courts are at risk. PSU should announce its plan for that block as part of this process.

South Park Blocks Master Plan Draft Preferred Design Community Comment Report

17 Also, the trees on the east side of the block between Columbia and Clay are likely to come down when the promised affordable housing is built on the SE corner of Park and Columbia. None of those plants (neither the tennis court hedge nor the scrawny trees) are beautiful but they are likely to be replaced by concrete structure or pavement sometime soon. So each of the individual plaza ideas has some merit, the cumulative impact is negative. Closing Madison in front of the Art Museum is a great idea. Setting up that area as a venue with the overhead sculpture sounds good.

Block 1 •

• • •

• •

• •

More seating around the actual perimeter of the play area would be great. As a parent, I've found having seating in direct proximity to the play area allows me to stay nearby without directly hovering over my child. I'm always thankful for seating options like this!

Is the giant playground necessary given the dearth of children in the neighborhood? There's not enough parking to bring in more kids and families anyway.

The playground improvements at the north end. Don't make a playground out of the rest of the blocks.

Children's active equipment near the Native American center should echo an indigenous long house. By style or layout. Could be an art/architectural climbing piece to incorporate, 1. round door in a square facing the river, 2. raised platforms as each segment of a lodge, 3. surfaces with reliefs of home artifacts, stretched skins, baskets.

With the block 1 play area, keep in mind that the trees will drop leaves and other things onto the area, and we might want to keep it grass instead of turf.

Block 1's design doesn't seem to reflect that it's right by a busy freeway - developing some sort of barrier would be nice. Additionally (this is totally anecdotal), I rarely see children using that playground. I'm not confident that doubling down on a play-oriented space is the approach that will provide the most benefit to the community.

With the play area and seating, please ensure that it is universal and can be used by folks with disabilities.

I suggest considering a dog park as part of Block One. PSU would likely maintain it at their cost (per the AVP for Planning, Construction & Real Estate at PSU) if PP&R created it.

Block 2 and 3 •

•

The viking pavilion is a terrible idea. We need the green space there for quiet study, and leisurely relaxing with friends. WE DO NOT WANT A LARGE GATHERING SPACE. That whole area is surrounded by classrooms, and it already gets too loud to be able to concentrate. Additionally, we've been under construction for years, and we're sick of it. By all means, add more pathways for accessibility but leave the area outside of Smith Memorial Student Union alone. It is not broken, and does not need to be fixed. Please please please DO NOT BUILD THAT PAVILION!!! I sincerely regret attending PSU, and if I weren't a year away from my MFA, I'd transfer to another school.

Blocks 2, 3, 4 are not the private domain of Portland State University. Existing tree cover and green space should be maintained. Building additional PSU facilities at the cost of existing mature trees and park space is not community oriented. The “plaza” in block two is especially egregious. Removing tree cover and replacing it with a sere expanse just to make an antechamber to an athletic stadium is a disgrace.

Block 4 • •

That removable tensile canopy will soon look dirty. It will not be a good addition. In fact, it will be a disturbing feature.

Not sure about the large removable canopy for the Smith Amphitheater plaza and would like to see more specifics about improvements to that plaza to ensure accessibility. Smith plaza is currently riddled with

South Park Blocks Master Plan Draft Preferred Design Community Comment Report

18 tripping hazards, elevation changes and poor visuals for walking through/using/sitting in the space.

• Will the canopy block the view from the balcony of Smith Hall?

• Tensil roof violates historic concept of open space without buildings.

• I work at Portland State in Smith Memorial Student Union--the department that oversees the events in the South Park Blocks--and I sit the Smith Advisory Board. I also work in Student Activities and Leadership Programs, which hosts Portland State's largest engagement event for the past 25 years with nearly 2000 people in attendance each Fall, and I supervise student organizations that utilize the Park Blocks for events and host the bi-weekly concert series each Fall and Spring weather pending. With this in mind, I have the following concerns about the University District. o I don't see that there is a stage at all anymore in Block 4. While a physical stage may not be necessary, maintaining the high-amp electrical connection is important, and the installation of additional ones could even be helpful for the flexibility of use in the block. o 2 - The large planned garden outside of Smith at Block 4 referred to as a "sloped planting bed" will have a significant impact on the size of our event because that is space that we currently use for tabling. The way that the blocks are set up does not allow for growth in either direction for us to make up for this loss of space, and we already have to turn away people who want to table. It is unclear whether the flexible event/plaza space will offset this loss of space. This will have budgetary impacts for our department as well. I would advocate for a smaller garden in this area.

Block 5 •

I like that there is a paved sidewalk included on the north end of Block 5, by the streetcar stop. The goat path that exists now clearly indicates a need for this.

Block 6 •

People often gather outside before a performance in Lincoln Hall. More seating or a gathering place on east side of Block 6.

Block 7 • •

In the north half of Block 7, i.e. past the In the Shadow of the Elm pavement art installation, retain two central walkways and preserve trees by not paving a promenade segment here.

I like the diagonal walkways on the south side of Block 7. I think they will do a great job of naturally guiding pedestrians directly to the crosswalks over Market street, on either side of the streetcar stop. It makes a lot of sense and seems like a logical transition from the straight-line promenade walkways of the cultural district to the more diagonal pathways of PSU.

Block 8 •

Block 8 - Neighborhood Block: RE: social seating, communal tables Built environments invite behaviors which aspire to be safe, inclusive, and community building. The design demonstrates that aim. I know that it will be a time period before any of this happens and design features re-evaluated then. So, I am just saying that all things staying the same, it is a tough call whether a design like this would become nice community gathering spot or a menacing hang-out for criminal activities. I have seen both in the park over the years and it is going to depend on direction of downtown Portland from this perilous point.

South Park Blocks Master Plan Draft Preferred Design Community Comment Report

19 Block 9 •

Commenting on the photo example of a midblock crossing for Columbia and Jefferson, the two crossings should be speed tables with each tabletop at least 2 inches above street surface and as high as 6-inches (same as curbs) and tabletop width of 8 to 12 feet. Speed tables work fine for fire trucks and would vastly increase drivers stopping when pedestrians cross and make pedestrians taller as seen by drivers.

Block 10 and 11 • • • •

Closure of SW Madison St would unify that end of park and allow for safer and better event flow.

Yes, SW Main Street at Shemanski Square should be closed to vehicular traffic permanently to promote interconnection of the northern most park blocks and pedestrian safety.

South of the Roosevelt statue, keep at least one of the two central raised flower planters or create one of similar dimensions.

Displacement of rose beds in front of museum is a problem; they have been a welcome sight and rose growth in other areas of shaded park blocks may not be feasible.

•

North of the Lincoln statute, shorten instead of removing the central planter as a means of providing more plaza space in front of Lincoln

•

Please close Main St permanently. The constant opening and closing of it makes no sense. People deserve the space back.

I especially love the ideas of the permanent street closure between the Schnitz and P5 and the place making structures are particularly wonderful.

I support permanent closing of Main St. Block 10/11 shows Madison Street closed west of Park West - it MUST remain open to pedestrians and bikes. Like permanent closure of Main to vehicular traffic.

I like the idea of an overhead sculpture in block 11 but hate to lose any of the existing rose bush plantings.

I like the idea of connecting the cultural district and closing Madison and Main streets to motor vehicles. I think it has the potential to really open the space up to some great programming.

People first, designers second. I don't recall the term for space creating sense ideas, but people will use those areas without pointless lighting and sculptures overhead. Oh, yes: Those overhead sculptures. No, no, no.

Again, it is for people, not designers.

Block 10 & 11: Roosevelt Square and Lincoln Square: I'm excited to see a magnificent, interactive sculpture that really accomplishes place-making, and especially one that reflects diverse cultural histories and identities. Grandly, I hope it establishes the park blocks as more of an iconic city park to not only visit but to spend time and recreate, leisurely or otherwise.

The block 10 and 11 mixed plantings in the center planting areas that are now present are the best features of the park today. They provide a modicum of habitat for non human creatures and provide a nice view for the people sitting on the benches. Without these areas I would not be spending any time in the park. These center planting areas should be preserved and new areas created. It's unclear whether the plan eliminates these areas. If it does, then I strongly oppose this aspect of the plan.

• • • • • •

•

•

Block 12 •

I support and encourage consolidating the divided central pedestrian crossing of Main Street (between Blocks 11 & 12) into one. The two existing cuts through the median island make no sense. Within Block 12, shorten or shrink instead of removing the central planter south of the existing plaza.

South Park Blocks Master Plan Draft Preferred Design Community Comment Report

20 Park Character / Green Space (27) • • • •

•

•

• • •

• • • • • • • • • •

• •

As much green and calm as possible.

I am against adding concrete and removing green space and trees in the center of this city, which otherwise provides little respite for people to breathe and rest.

The park blocks are a quiet, green line through the center of a downtown district. We do not need shopping mall style 'arty' seating areas and rotating sculptures, we need green and quiet.

Portland of all places should welcome nature and human planted green spaces with as little pavement as possible. I use these parks several times each week for contact with nature and for shady, cool walking, public communing, restorative quiet in the middle of the busy city, where I don't have to wear sunblock. For people who want bright, sunny, open public spaces, we have an even larger riverfront Downtown walkers and retreat-seekers need these parks preserved with the priorities we are currently enjoying. We downtown dwellers need our natural beauty and quiet without having to drive to the state parks.

Plan as presented replaces trees and plantings with concrete. Changes character of a park which is a retreat from the hassles of city life. Adds more paved surfaces with wide central promenade by removing the central planted beds and separated walkways which offer relief from congestion. Is the goal to make the Park Blocks, especially those in the Cultural District, less of a buffer for quiet and enjoyment of nature? Benches and pathways are now rarely busy. Why add more ?

Keep the historic nature and open space.

Honestly, I mainly want a green park space to walk in quietly because I live in an apartment with no green space.

Also, it appears there is only one block designated for more quiet space, and currently the Park Blocks are the main quiet green space downtown, so I would want to see some of that peaceful aspect maintained--e.g., a place a downtown resident can go read a book on a bench.

This is critical green space for residents downtown Keep the historic promenade nature of the park.

Too much concrete and hard surfaces will make us loose a cool oasis in summer.

This is a great shady place to walk.

Shouldn't we be keeping as much greenspace as possible to offset the fact that Portland is a heat island and to offset air pollution? We are surrounded by freeway so every little bit helps in terms of air quality.

I have lived on the park blocks for 26 years, and the most important things to me are the tree canopy, access to PSU and the cultural district, and a relative lack of traffic.

Most of everything the city is proposing would degrade the experience of the park as a haven from concrete and commerce, Do not add structures. Keep the flexible open space.

Green, quiet open space is what the park always has been and should continue to be.

Aside from the children's park at PSU, my greatest desire is for this to remain a primarily passive park environment. Residents love having a quiet green space to unwind, sit, read, think, and calm themselves.

Especially these days when we live with flash bangs. Helicopters, and protesters. Do not take our place outside where we calmly can sit under a tree and enjoy beautiful vegetation. A majority of us living in downtown can only take a green respite here.

The SPB are unique in the USA and are a very important part of Portland's design history. Current use is flexible, the central parallel pedestrian pathways provide safety.

I attended PSU for four years (back when it was PSC). I worked nearby for 40 years. I lived in an apartment on the South Park Blocks near PSU for a year or so. I have a long and strong sense of the beauty of the

South Park Blocks Master Plan Draft Preferred Design Community Comment Report

21

• •

•

•

• •

blocks, of their usefulness, of the wisdom of Portlanders decade ago in preserving them. Again, keep them simple.

If anything, we need more green spaces than fewer. The park is beautiful as is and enjoys tremendous use currently.

Why does Parks & Rec want to waste our money turning one of downtown Portland's few peaceful, noncommercial spaces into yet another hardscape with tree highlights? Increased density only intensifies the need for quiet greenspace in the center of the city. Please stop trying to make every pubic space a venue, in constant motion.

The current narrower width pedestrian walkways separated by landscape are more conducive to slower pace and the quieter setting which has long been the strength of these blocks. This better supports the senior residents in this community and the students who study here.

Having enjoyed the tranquility and relaxed pace of this area for walks, it holds its' own to the louder and busier spaces such as the waterfront, PSU plazas, Pioneer Square, Terry Schrunk park, and other similar places. The denser landscape and more pedestrian sized walkways is the greatest strength of the South Park Blocks.

As currently designed, the SPBs provide a quiet, contemplative, greenspace for strolling, reading, and chatting of a sort that very few city centers in the US are lucky enough to have. To me, all other considerations should be secondary to preserving this fundamental character. The Tivoli, the High Line, the Indianapolis Cultural Trail--all have their virtues, but I hate to see Portland sacrifice the rare and precious 150-year gift of an oasis in the city to the current design fashion of the "activated" linear, theme-park trail. I fear that designers are too often focused on the standards of their professional peers to the detriment of the interests of park users and the legacy of history. There's more than one good thing––and I believe it's shortsighted to repurpose an urban treasure like the SPB. This “preferred plan” would destroy one of the city’s great gifts to its citizens and visitors.

FOR 150 YEARS, NATURE'S OASIS AND PORTLANDERS' RETREAT. Let’s keep it that way! Treasured for their enduring beauty, the South Park Blocks have long offered relief from the city's encroaching hardscape, growing noise pollution and frenzied tempo. Just as city-dwellers of the 1870s sought the timeless gifts of nature—deciduous trees that give shade in the summer and light in the winter, and quiet interspersed with birdsong—so do today's visitors to the South Park Blocks, be they solo or clustered. The Park Blocks need not serve all possible park-type functions—Portland boasts enough public land to see to all these needs, but why throw them together carelessly on unsuitable lands? There are ample numbers elsewhere of playgrounds, ball fields, concert venues and picnic tables. Why not retain the more subdued profile of the Park Blocks, an urban island of nature-blessed beauty that may be unique among Portland’s parks: a spot to appreciate nature, think, read, visit and relax under an incomparable arch of mature elms (long may they survive) and other deciduous trees. The South Park Blocks do not need to serve as a dedicated play area, a concert venue, a picnic site, or a bikeway, all defined by a spreading concrete crust, intrusive outdoor furniture, unneeded pathways and uprooted trees. Thus changed, our Portland treasure would no longer bring joy to those who frequent it most through every season.

Bicycles (23) •

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Bikeportland.org has the best take on what bicycle improvements are needed. Protected bikeways are needed. Broadway is not a pleasant place for riding a bike and it is also a place for sunburns. The park blocks need a bike overhaul now.

I would like to see continued investment in safer bike facilities I also hope they aren't seriously considering pavers for the bike lane - so loud, so dangerous. Maybe it was just a bad example picture.

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Alternatives to concrete pavers should be investigated for the separated bike lane. They don't work well for narrow tires, scooters, skates, or skateboards, and can be a source of noise. Asphalt strips like those used in Sevilla's major plazas, while less visually appealing, are better for multimodal paths.

I am concerned that bicycles will still be able to go through Madison Plaza with whatever new treatment there.

Why no accommodation for bicycles on the East side of the Park Blocks? Your documentation never mentions if the bike facility will be two-way, however the pictures show a two way facility. Is that correct?

Please make protected bike lanes and improved safety for vulnerable road users a priority.

"No painted green lanes in keeping with the historic character of the Cultural District." Cars aren't historic so I can assume that they aren't welcomed. Many of those buildings aren't historic either! So that argument seems a bit silly.

Please ensure that the bicycle lanes are clearly visible and identifiable throughout the park blocks, including the transition zone in blocks 1 & 2.

I appreciate the need for pedestrian and bike safety, but please leave out that bright green and white paint and flashing markers. The park blocks are green and lush and please keep them just that - a park!

Do not carve out parts of the parks for bicycles.

No bikes within park blocks.

I'm very opposed to accommodating bicycles in any way in or near the park. Portland bike riders don't adhere to bike lanes and will still ride through the park, endangering pedestrians. What about scooters and skateboard riders?

Bike routes should be located on Broadway not in the park!

Adding intrusion of wheeled vehicles (bicycles, scooters, etc.) into the park destroys the safety, tranquility and purpose of this unique pedestrian asset. Keep such conveyances in streets (streets adjacent to E &W Park), not in park or It’s sidewalks. A diagonal bike paths across a block is overt folly. Pedestrians are already driven off sidewalks By bikes and scooters elsewhere. Please preserve the only remaining refuge.

Strongly support improved bike accessibility.

Leave the bicycles out and away from the park. There are streets nearby they use. No need to ruin a beautiful, relaxing setting with bicyclists zipping around. I realize they will be on their own little path but invariably some will come into the park where children are playing or people want to relax with any kind of vehicle rushing by.

Although I understand bike culture in PDX, it would be nice to have one area where you don't have to worry about getting run over by a bike since they rarely follow the rules of the road. Keep this area for walkers but with access for cars to the Arts section of the greenway. Thanks!

Don't give over any park space to bikes.

Our moments to enjoy nature should not be made into an active play environment with bikes racing through.

Bicyclists are rude, rarely ride in the streets but on sidewalks and never move for pedestrians. Bicyclists seem very entitled.

Keep the bikes in the streets, not the park. I'm a cyclist, we have many good places to ride.

Oppose a bike lane within the parks blocks The Park Blocks feel full with people as it is- I don't think added bike spaces will help with interactions. Seems that the roadway is sufficient for bikes.

Historic Preservation and Nomination (23) •

"Add gateway art or features that reflect diverse cultural history and identities of Oregon" is vague - I would like to see more focus on demonstrating the South Park Block's history and the history of the Cultural District. The Oregon Historical Society is right down the road, folks can go there if they want Oregon history.

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When visitors are in the South Park Blocks, I'd like them to really feel like they're someplace special and hyper-local.

The South Park Blocks are a valuable historic asset of the entire city. Preserving its intrinsic qualities is central to any future use.

I would like to pause the master plan until the historic nomination is successful. We are losing so much of historic Portland to developers and bike lanes [who seem to be linked], please leave this beautiful park alone and preserve its integrity.

I do wonder what impact the historic listing that Wendy Rahm is pursuing will have on this plan.

Plan should be deferred pending listing under National Historic places and proceed considering that listing.

I am strongly opposed to any national historic district for the south park blocks.

This master plan should be put on hold until the historic nomination is complete. Then a more robust input process should take place.

Must wait until Historical Designation Application has been accepted and approved.

This plan fails to emphasize and preserve the historic aspects of the Park Blocks.

New ideas and uses should not be stopped in the name of historic preservation.

All "development" plans for the South Park Blocks should be put on hold until the SPB historic nomination is submitted and successfully determined.

The Master Plan process should be paused to allow the historic nomination process to go first. It is the proper order. That nomination has a high likelihood of being approved and would provide a great base to blend a Master plan with. First things first!

I want to see that the key historic design features (dating from 1870's) are respected: o Open space - flexible and adaptive -- for the enjoyment of all o 5 rows of Deciduous trees -- not evergreen -- in ordered ranks and axial alignment o Restrained and refined simplicity o Defined boundaries (i.e., curb to curb) o Green loop bicycles in the street only, not within the boundaries of the Park Blocks.

This plan should not be finalized until after a decision is reached RE: historic designation. Historic designation would necessarily cause any current design plan adopted to be immediately out of date. Please work with the DNA and other organizations to formulate an optimal plan once you know what historic design aspects must be considered.

The application and listing of the Historic designation for the Park Blocks should be completed as a first step prior to finalizing a Park Blocks master plan process.

My preference is that the historic designation be greatly supported by the city, and they should assist in every way to move this designation submission quickly.

Preserve the historic design principles.

This master plan process should be paused until the historic nomination is completed. That is the only way to be sure that the defining historic characteristics can be respected.

2016 land use document note the applicant (funding source for the MP) “proposed listing the Park Blocks on the National Register of Historic Places; however, PP&R has [had] an agreement in place with the State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) to list the Park Blocks in the National Register of Historic Places by 2020 and elected to pursue this listing on their own.” (LU 15- 281248 DZM MS – Broadway Tower, April 21, 2016; p.18). Why is the nomination not already completed? Why was research for a nomination not in the scope of work for the MP historic consultant? Why did the nomination not precede the master plan?

Please understand what have first, before you make it something else. That understanding begins with the nomination for National Register of Historic Places. Do that first!

If I understand what I read about the Historic Registration for the South Park Blocks, this process would occur

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after the Master Plan is completed. That seems backwards to me.

The South Park Blocks Preferred Master Plan should not precede the completion of a National Register nomination, which is intended to inform its design. PP&R had an agreement with the Oregon SHPO to pursue listing by 2020. What happened with this agreement?

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Crossing the streets can be very difficult and feels unsafe at busy times. I strongly support daylighting all intersections (removing parking at the corners) to make it easier for all users to see.

Crosswalk safety cannot be emphasized enough. After having kids at St James childcare for 6 years now, we've learned that it's SCARY AS HELL to cross Jefferson or Columbia at any location between 10th and Broadway. Vehicle speeds are consistently excessive and almost no cars will yield to pedestrians at crosswalks or intersections.

This project is in the city core and within close walking distance to many locations including the largest state university. There should be more tabled, raised crosswalks than the plan includes at present to slow traffic speeds, increase safety, and encourage walking for all vulnerable users of public right of way and space.

Too many compromises made to accommodate cars and bikes. Get the cars off the Park Blocks, then there will be fewer safety issues with pedestrians. Move the bike paths to Broadway then there are even fewer safety issues for kids, families, and pedestrians in general.

As a driver, pedestrian, and cyclist, I applaud the changes to promote better walkability and ease of cycling even at the expense of slightly longer waits [e.g., stoplights] or routes [redirection].

Please go as far as you can in prioritizing pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure over car infrastructure.

Remember that this is a place that people, especially children and the elderly, can feel safe using, and they should be prioritized above all else.

But it is really difficult to walk the full length of the Park Blocks right now because the street crossings don’t match where you would want to cross based on the park itself. So it’s good if you are addressing that.

And the mid-block crossings should be raised.

This is a walking park we have lots of cycling opportunities in town. Keep the historic strolling / walking nature of the park, keep bikes in the street. They are vehicles.

And we're supposed to be taking Climate Change seriously!! The days of row after row of cheap curbside parking downtown needed to be over with ASAP! Include striped crosswalks at each block to Park Ave E. Propose alternative paving materials between each block to unify and alert drivers to pedestrian and cyclist crossing.

The MP Path would be better considered separately - it absolutely should not intrude on the park, which remains one of the few pedestrian-friendly parks downtown.

The South Park Blocks desperately need safe street crossings and minimization of high-speed traffic during rush hours.

Keep all crossings.

I think safe crossings of the E-W streets both at the corners and in the middle of the block are important.

Clay is a very busy street during rush hour, and I've seen a fair share of emergency vehicles attempt to navigate down it during this time. I'm always amazed there is enough space for cars to pull over and let them through. I like the idea of a planted raised median,but wonder how this would work with emergency vehicles.

I see a lot of very prominently marked pedestrian crossings on the west side of the park blocks.

I understand this might be the case because of the greenway, but I think they are also important on the east

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side. Pedestrians will likely want to connect to the center of the city/transit mall in this direction.

Adjusting pathways to more closely follow paths actually taken by pedestrians, especially between PSU buildings, and to separate bike traffic, should help improve walkability.

-Pedestrians should be encouraged to cross at every intersection, not just a few. Raised crosswalks would be nice to slow traffic in certain spots.

Adjusting pathways to more closely follow paths actually taken by pedestrians, especially between PSU buildings, and to separate bike traffic, should help improve walkability.

City Funding Priorities (18) • •

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Please spend those resources on the east side of the river. Better yet, spend it east of 82nd.

You are going to do what you want however it is a shame to change something just because you want it new.

When the east side of Portland needs so much help you are pouring money into something that doesn't need to be fixed.

I am surprised there is money to accomplish this project which must be quite expensive. We are in the middle of a pandemic and our city is experiencing significant social unrest. My understanding is that the city budget has been cut for parks and maybe money should be directed to more urgent needs? The optics aren't good if a beautification project is started now.

The South Park Blocks are fine as they are .... you're investing millions to spur development to make developers rich. It's a Neoliberal plan ... not a public one. You're spending money to do something wholly unnecessary while you close swimming pools and defund parks in areas that serve actual people in need. Shame on you. #BLM #displacement #whitecitypriorities With a mayor and city council that would like to reduce or eliminate police financing, what will the redone South Park blocks look like in 5 years? Or one year? Will it be secure, clean and free from tents, tarps and garbage? Will neighboring residents, cultural sites, clubs and businesses feel more or less secure? Without very specific financially and politically backed plans for this area it will be a totally irresponsible use of public funds as it will be merely a place for inappropriate gatherings and loitering.

This is absolutely not the right time to be spending money on a frivolous project that is not needed.

This project seems ill-timed. While all of these projects are fine, the South Park Blocks are currently fully functional and open. Why not instead focus scarce Parks Bureau resources instead on figuring out how to re-open the entirely closed resources downtown, including O’Bryant Square and the southernmost block of the North Park Blocks between Burnside and Ankeny, as well as figuring out how to work with PBOT to accommodate the food carts that were displaced from the Alder Street pods and then never re-located, breaking promises made by the City last summer.

Folks are dying and homeless and if your plan isn't including anything to help, you can all shove your budget and your tree canopy somewhere else where the sun don't shine.

The city needs to spend its reduced funds are societal needs, retraining police, lowering cost of water and sewer services. This project is not a priority at this time.

It also looks very expensive. In our current climate, we have more pressing ways to spend our money.

Right now there is NOTHING wrong with the Park Blocks and there are places that need the money that this will cost much more. This plan shows the tone deafness of the Parks Department that they are still spending large amounts of money on central and downtown areas of Portland when so many Outer Portland areas still either need parks period or need update and improvement so much more then the Park Blocks.

I hope that no changes are made in the next two years because the city has already depressing to live in, and if the Park is dug up and made ugly, the city would be horrific. Portland’s few beautiful places include

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these blocks, please do not disturb them now. I hope that there is no budget for this fully optional project, anyway, as it would be a wasteful use of scarce city resources.

Spend the money in park deficient parts of the city...outer east and southwest. Whose idea was this anyway?

It looks like it is a solution in search of a problem.

What is wrong with you people? Why do you keep trading aesthetics, history, livability for more money like the greedy developers you cater to over citizens you allegedly represent? This is just another attempt at social engineering to make a city that does nothing to enhance the residents or instill a sense of pride that is primarily geered to giving more land to developers to increase density that already has tons of units (as opposed to homes) or attracting tourists who don’t leave a sales tax here to help the revenue stream. I would love some of your kool-aid so I can still pretend this is a livable city...or one that works for us peons!

You should put handwashing stations in areas you know people will be eating.

How about taking this money and re-vamping Columbia Pool. It seems like all the Parks and Rec dollars go to rich white areas while those of us in N. Portland and East County get the short end of the stick..This is a criminal waste of money, especially at a time like this.

It’s an insult to taxpayers that you’ve ended Park and rec services, swimming pools, etc but have the funds to yank out trees to put in bike lanes and public art. These changes are a waste of valuable tax dollars that are in very short supply.

Community Engagement and Comment Survey (17) • •

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Get more people in the city involved. This used to be a community process. I didn't even know about it until 6/27.

This survey language is specifically skewed to reinforce the conclusion of the master plan and do not in any way respect the historical character of this nationally recognized unique and serene space in the middle of Portland. NOWHERE in the city can one find peace and quiet--all of these efforts are designed to destroy the tranquility of the space.

Also be aware this survey is mentioned in BikePortland and will therefore get many responses from members of the bike community that probably never been to this park.

As a resident of the South Park Blocks, I attend the Portland Farmer's Market every Saturday at PSU. I strongly recommend that the City of Portland consider their needs throughout this process. I would like to see any changes to the South Park Blocks positively impact the farmer's market experience; that event is part of the reason why I love living in the neighborhood so much.

The virtual open house website is beautiful.

This survey seems very biased and pro-developer.

The "draft design concepts" from last fall were very hard to understand and gave no opportunity for combining features from one concept to another. There was insufficient representation on the advisory committee, and very little publicity about the planning process itself.

This survey seems fairly biased to garner approval.

This is a very complex and detailed story. Fortunately, I have looked at it several times and attended the DNA discussion. I do not know how much informed opinion you will receive.

Coming back to this from the last page: your demographics questions ask where I live (southeast) but not where I work (just off the park blocks). Commute here daily and spend 40+ hours a week in this area.

Workers should be taken into account in deciding whether survey responses are from people local to park blocks or not.

This survey does little to allow public comments based on what’s being proposed. Furthermore, the process does not seem transparent and allows for little public outreach and feedback.

Wow. It is truly unfortunate that the majority of the people discussing this bloated, out of touch, and self-

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indulgent project do not have the time nor patience to slog through such a clunky and inaccessible survey.

PSU Students have participated in several design charettes over the years about the PSU Oak Savanna and garden spaces. A lot of energy, time, money, and design work has already went into these conversations and designs that could be referenced.

As I submit this, I am also concerned that I learned today that the larger student body was not given a direct chance to comment on these plans. I know that a few were involved from the sustainability/gardens perspective, but it's just now being sent to students today, the week after classes are out.

The survey would work better if there was a way to answer questions as you review each block. These are detailed statements to reflect on for very specific locations, so unless you have memorized everything it is difficult to do.

This input would be easier if I could make it while reviewing the plan.

Wow. It is truly unfortunate that the majority of the people discussing this bloated, out of touch, and selfindulgent project do not have the time nor patience to slog through such a clunky and inaccessible survey.

Green Loop (16) •

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I would rather see the Green Loop routed through Downtown on SW Broadway, which is far better suited to continuous bicycle traffic and—unlike the SPB—greatly in need of activation. The synergy between a lively Green Loop with festival and commercial and active uses along SW Broadway and a quiet green space in the SPB would be powerful, preserving the best of Portland's parkland legacy while giving new life to a moribund urban corridor.

I'm definitely concerned about expecting bikes to ride through the park blocks and the shortness of the green loop. Why doesn't it go all the way down the park blocks? Biking and skating near pedestrians is dangerous for everyone, and it's more efficient to dedicate road space to bikes than cars. This is a great step forward, but I hope this project can take the green loop even further!!

There need to be physically separated bike lanes, protected from traffic, on both the West Park and East Park streets, to facilitate bike travel on the Green Loop, in both directions. Putting one direction a block or two away is not easily understandable, and does not advance the Green Loop concept, which includes riding through tree-lined spaces with seating opportunities, etc., which the South Park Blocks have room for, and other street routes may not. Do not let the Historic District block bike lanes, either.

Please preserve the bike facilities and complete the Green Loop!

Please do not preclude the Green Loop path from using the South Park Blocks as envisioned in Central City 2035.

I especially support the green loop through the park blocks.

Plus, they're a crucial part of the *Green Loop*. You'll find a lot of entitled people trying to push bikes over to Broadway, which is RIDICULOUS! Do NOT fall for this! Again, this is the GREEN LOOP! Really glad to see the green loop shared use path in the cultural district, but am not sure why it doesn't continue further along the planned alignment Many people who ride bikes downtown like myself already use Park Aves. to more safely travel north and south through downtown. This use will only increase with implementation of the Green Loop. I often turn left (east) onto SE Madison from SW Park in order to get to the Hawthorne Bridge, and ask that bike facilities are built into the design for the vacated street on SE Madison. It is a key and safe connection from the Park Blocks to the Hawthorne Bridge for people on bikes.

• I have responded that "don't know" to the items re the Green Loop. It is totally unclear to me how the north/south bike thoroughfare can be compatible with the pedestrians accessing the Park and all of the cultural, religious, residential, commercial and university buildings that line the Park. I have had to jump out of the way of thoughtless speeding bike riders on the greenway walk north of Willamette Park dozens of times

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despite the posted 10mph speed limit.

Bike loop violates historic context of park and abuses historic boundaries.

Glad the green loop is included to get people out of their cars and healthier.

I do not think the Green Loop will fit well, if it is to be cyclists all the time who are trying to go somewhere and who will not be cognizant of pedestrians.

Scrap the two-way bike lane.

Don't necessarily support the green loop going through Block 2. Would rather have it go up and along the south end of block two than through.

For sure, not knowing what impact the "Green Zone" would have on use -- particularly cyclists on shared pathways -- makes it difficult to support. Wouldn't it be "greener" to create cyclist routes outside of the Park Blocks -- similar to the creation of the downtown transit malls -- expanding the non-vehicle footprint in Portland instead of just layering it on top of the current nature of the Park Blocks?

I honestly think that putting the Green Loop bicycle path as a shared path through the University District is a disaster that could only make sense to someone who hasn't spent much time in the South Park Blocks. The pedestrian traffic is very heavy running from East to West particularly across Montgomery where commuters flow directly from the MAX and streetcar at Urban Plaza toward the classrooms on the West side of campus.

They also flow back from that direction to Smith, Cramer, and FMH (Blocks 3-5). Those pedestrians aren't paying much attention to what's going on and they are moving in large groups. They're also moving heavily North-South on the West side of the Park Blocks to access the library, housing, and other services and classrooms further North. Having cyclists cross this heavy flow of pedestrian traffic through the University District seems very problematic. As someone who has dealt with cyclists as a pedestrian and utilized the mixed use paths in other parts of the city, it is very frightening because pedestrians are not treated with respect, and unfortunately, we don't all have rear-view mirrors attached at the neck to know what's coming up behind us. If I were a cyclist, I would also be frustrated to encounter the thick groups of people passing through perpendicular. I do not think that putting the Green Loop into the Park Blocks at this district improves safety. If you want it to bring the loop in at SW Hall, it should continue up to SW 10th (not crossing Block 2 diagonally) and should cut back to the Park Blocks no sooner than SW Mill to protect pedestrians. If this is not feasible, I think that the bike path should enter the Park blocks from the East no sooner than SW Mill (or further North). Otherwise you're compromising the closed, safe, pedestrian feel of the University District that is so much a part of how it has been experienced for several decades.

Cars on Park Avenue (16) •

Park Ave should be closed to car traffic. It presents an unnecessary risk to public safety, wellbeing, and accessibility that people are allowed to drive cars along the south park blocks.

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Parking on street: For the cultural district blocks (Blocks 7-12), along west Park Avenue, keep both east and west lanes of on-street parking and east sidewalk. Leave as is or simply stripe sharrows on each block segment. Don’t add a cycle track, and substitute only one or two parking spaces per block for the proposed drop-off zone (that the proposed cross section labeled). Cyclists and slow-moving cars can and already share the one-way Park Avenues, so there’s no need for a one-way cycle track on west Park Avenue…

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No cars on NB/SB Park. Certainly no parking - that's just a waste of space.

Remove all parking along SW Park Ave (E &W).

The plan doesn't even attempt to address the problem of 24/7 vehicular access and parking, despite the reality that the public institutions lining the park blocks - PSU, churches, museums, performance venues attract thousands of patrons in cars, busses, and vans. Expecting public transport to absorb this traffic seems unrealistic to me.

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I am deeply disappointed to see private car access and parking maintained on much of the South Park Blocks.

Cars add noise, air pollution, and traffic safety risks. They don't belong here.

I know there are pressures to maintain car access and on-street storage, including from nearby residents and PBOT. Failing to confront these pressures head-on will result in a far less visionary plan than Portland deserves. Please consider reinstating and expanding earlier proposals to restrict car access to the greatest extent possible to create a beautiful and comfortable South Park Blocks.

Why retain driving lanes in any of the park blocks? Areas by PSU already closed to cars are the best. No parking garage entrances on the street, no real need to use this area for driving. Plenty of other car streets downtown.

Simply prohibit motor vehicles from the park blocks. More park. More safety.

There is zero reason for car lanes, or parking spots here.

Protected bike lanes and a ban on cars would be an improvement.

It appears that 9th Ave (Park Ave West?) has only one lane of traffic and no parking. How will the loading and unloading for the businesses and residential uses take place?

I'd love to see a design that fully shuts down SW Park West or SW Park E to make more space, and/or does away with parking. Too much space is devoted to cars, even in this design.

Close the streets as recommended.

Remove the car lanes, they have no business in the tiny park blocks, and let people enjoy the park instead.

More needs to be done to reduce auto traffic numbers and speed along and through the Park Blocks, particularly at Market and Jefferson!

Tree Canopy and Tree Succession Plan (15) • • • • •

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It is critical in any tree succession plan to preserve the character of the current mature park.

Retain and reinforce the existing high canopy deciduous tree scheme.

The South Park Master Plan calls for the removal of many canopy trees ......... do not remove these trees.

Opening up the Park Blocks to more light is a mixed bag. The shade on warm summer days is a blessing.

The dense canopy keeps a little of the rain out on drizzly days.

I would like to see continued investment climate resiliency from improved resilience of the urban canopy.

Also strongly oppose removing trees with no replacement in the central paths. The large tree canopy is the defining of the South Park Blocks. We don't need more concrete downtown.

What I see in the plans is politically correct double speak and the 'after' photos show a distinct loss of trees and the shade they provide. The Park Blocks have always been like a familiar, comfortable, shady, grassy backyard. Why do they have to be turned into more formal, more commercial spaces? Leave them as is.

Sure, replace dying trees but leave the test alone. And don't plant evergreens, they have never been part of these parks.

Keep the center row of trees as well as the other rows. Only replace trees that are diseased and dying. The trees make the park blocks what it is and is why people enjoy being there. Please leave it mostly alone.

I live on park Ave. Please keep as much of the tree cover as possible, understanding that new trees will need to be planted and grow overtime so that future generations can enjoy tree cover in the central city.

The current plan takes out too many trees and reduces the canopy.

I can’t comment on the details because I’m not a landscape architect, but one thing caught my eye: I’m glad you’re planning to let some of the trees die a natural death and then not be replaced. As much as I LOVE all the trees in the South Park Blocks, there are too many of them. They give TOO MUCH wonderful shade, so the grass can’t grow. That’s not good. I’m glad you’re planning to thin them out a bit.

I’m concerned about the tree removal. I acknowledge that many of the trees are nearing the end of their

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lives. I witnessed one of the elms break a large window of the student union. However, I worry about a plan that replaces so many mature trees with saplings and structures. It was unclear to me what was meant by “long term” for the removal. Is that a year? Fifty years? A ballpark would be helpful. Are you planting mature trees? Or just buying small trees like what you would get at a nursery?

Portland's identity is a forest of giant trees and peaceful, natural outdoor space. If some trees are not healthy, replace them with the same type and relatively large size.

I support the urban forestry idea for this city and your new design takes away from that. I recommend rather than do a complete make-over you address issues one at a time. Tree succession is a good option for starters.

I like the existing shady canopy of deciduous trees that lets in more light in the winter. Keep the 5 rows of trees - that defines the character of the park.

A succession planting strategy is sensible, but the one outlined seems designed more for developing the space than conservation.

No changes (15) • • • • •

I vote to keep things as they are.

There is no need for major changes to this idyllic city island.

Leave the SP Blocks alone. This project is unneeded and will destroy an historic Portland treasure. City sponsored vandalism and vast amount of funds when we have urgent problems to deal with.

Stop the exercise of changing the park, just so one builder could get the city's blessings of an exception it's insulting to me!!!

Why not just leave it the way it is now? The Park Blocks have served Portland very well for the last 150 years, thank you. The "improvements" proposed here will look dated in 5-10 years. Maintaining the Park Blocks current form will never go out of style. It is classic. This proposal is a solution in search of a problem.

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This is a successful park. There are many many unsuccessful parks in Portland. Why not invest in changing those? Please delay this process…

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My preference is that it be renovated not changed.

Just leave it alone. It’s beautiful as it is.

Please leave this precious historical park alone, it is beautiful in its simplicity. I have been visiting this park since the I was a girl and despair at any of your changes. Please, please leave it alone. Do not develop, no bike lanes please. Leave something of precious Portland. Central Park in NYC would never allow this. The whole project sounds heartbreaking and disrespectful to our history. I am against all your plans.

I actually like the park blocks very much as they currently exist and see little need for change. They are my daily refuge.

Park blocks aren't broke, so need no fixing. City has horrible recent track record of "improvements" that are anything but, e.g., Vision Zero, Residential Infill Project, tree code revamp that does even less to protect trees, now this. Leave history and beautiful spaces alone please, and let's also save $ we don't have. Thank you.

Leave everything as it currently is. This master plan is a waste of money The South Park blocks are beautiful just the way they are. Put this on hold for at least 40 years and then revisit.

I realize the changes will happen no matter what I write here, unfortunately.

FOR 150 YEARS, NATURE'S OASIS AND PORTLANDERS' RETREAT. Let’s keep it that way! Treasured for their enduring beauty, the South Park Blocks have long offered relief from the city's encroaching hardscape, growing noise pollution and frenzied tempo. Just as city-dwellers of the 1870s sought the timeless gifts of

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31 nature—deciduous trees that give shade in the summer and light in the winter, and quiet interspersed with birdsong—so do today's visitors to the South Park Blocks, be they solo or clustered. The Park Blocks need not serve all possible park-type functions—Portland boasts enough public land to see to all these needs, but why throw them together carelessly on unsuitable lands? There are ample numbers elsewhere of playgrounds, ball fields, concert venues and picnic tables. Why not retain the more subdued profile of the Park Blocks, an urban island of nature-blessed beauty that may be unique among Portland’s parks: a spot to appreciate nature, think, read, visit and relax under an incomparable arch of mature elms (long may they survive) and other deciduous trees. The South Park Blocks do not need to serve as a dedicated play area, a concert venue, a picnic site, or a bikeway, all defined by a spreading concrete crust, intrusive outdoor furniture, unneeded pathways and uprooted trees. Thus changed, our Portland treasure would no longer bring joy to those who frequent it most through every season. Instead, this “preferred plan” would destroy one of the city’s great gifts to its citizens and visitors. There is no need for major changes to this idyllic city island.

Seating (14) • • • • • • •

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I especially like the grouped social spaces - except for Block 8, which seem overly large and not effective at letting people sit together. The new style seating looks ridiculous.

I like the variety of seating options Social seating is fine in the university blocks but I’d really prefer it to be left out of most of the neighborhood blocks.

The social seating as proposed that’s just a flat-bench platform will likely act as a base for houseless people to camp. I don’t like the ugly orange social seating either.

All social seating, tables, art, play features, lighting must be vandal, graffiti and skateboard proof.

Additional seating will be helpful, especially in the PSU area. I do not care for the idea of promoting large crowd-serving features in more places than there are now--one at PSU, and one on Main street.

Please do not use the new wooden bench models outside of the Fariborz Masseh Hall on PSU property for use elsewhere in the park blocks. They retain water in the winter, rendering them useless, even when it is no longer raining. The current park block benches dry out much more quickly.

Much of the added outdoor seating shown in the illustrations will allow for more camping, sleeping, and the possibility of large groups taking over space while smoking, dealing drugs, and ignoring other park rules.

Social distancing strategy is needed because more pandemics are coming, thus dense seating and gathering must be comfortably spread out. Seating must include seats with backs and arms for older visitors. The homeless would camp on the many benches in the design, and already the homeless in the Park Blocks are too numerous. So, the seating designs must be changed to allow distancing and discouragement of homeless sleeping.

And for the love of all that’s holy, why does all the seating need to be social and interactive?

All the "extra seating" is just gathering spaces for the already problematic homeless overtaking of the park blocks. We need to get the homeless issue under control before giving them yet another nice new renovated place to destroy so the rest of us who paid for it can't use it.

With seating, please ensure that it is universal and can be used by folks with disabilities.

Concerned that increased ‘community seating’ will be invitation to those that abuse the park by congregating (drug use and intimidation) Most of the new seating planned appears to be social, aimed at groups rather than individuals.

Plantings (14) • •

Please maintain and increase shade and native plants as much as possible.

I really like the increase in native plantings--those are attractive, potentially educational, and

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environmentally friendly.

The native plantings pictured as examples look too much like the understory of a forested area, not in keeping with the stateliness of this historic central city park.

Nice job in including NATIVE PLANTS in the plan--although the renderings were sometimes of great concern. I hope we can do without the Saw Palmettos (or whatever they are).

Why would you do away with the roses, another Portland identity and heritage?!

Please don't remove the center plantings. They add to the garden-like flavor of the park.

Keep the roses! We're the "Rose City", after all - Portland guides point these out to visitors, and residents volunteers are dedicated to helping maintain them.

Keep the roses! We are the Rose City and they smell wonderful.

Oppose removing the roses and other center beds

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I do not understand the removal of roses to pots rather than gracing the Art Museum and Historical Society buildings. After all the is supposed to be The City of Roses…

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The rose plantings in the Cultural Blocks are very popular; lots of visitors take photos; provides color and fragrance in an otherwise green expanse. KEEP THEM. One sustainability problem is that all proposed new plantings would be trampled by pedestrians, bikes, skateboards and dogs if they are not in raised beds, no fences or barriers. Rose Lane Project is impractical due to great potential for damage by users.

Planted buffers (park Ave W/Green Loop bikeway): This being a slim buffer, planting selection should consider the contemporary urban realities of park use. The historical park roses have worked well because their thorny nature and ability to survive mistreatment while still looking lovely. A "swath of color" perennial/annual flower on flat surface would not only be yanked out/picked/ stomped on, but also require extensive amount of care to maintain. Point being, if the buffer line is meant to be spot for roses " in keeping with historical character of cultural district" , then, that is a good choice with one caveat. Roses work to prohibit certain destructive behaviors if they are grouped a little, like the gardens, not just a single line. The whole idea, I would think, is to display a healthy and lovely flower experience while not requiring or incurring excessive ongoing maintenance expenses.

Although I like the idea of smaller shrubs and planting, that is where trash often collects. And since it breaks the line of visibility it can feel less secure. If I had to run, it would be easier to run over grass than through low shrubs. Not sure how tall the plantings will be - can people be obscured behind them? Will this require more lighting? Will the lighting annoy the tenants in the buildings?

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Trees (13) • • • •

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This park means so much to Oregonians, it is one of the last stands of elm trees in the USA and one of the few original parks in Portland. Please, please leave it in its natural beauty.

Don't mess with the old canopy elms.

Deciduous trees only.

DON'T REMOVE THE TREES! ! YOU CAN'T REPLACE MATURE TREES WITH SAPLINGS. EVERYBODY WANTS TO CUT TREES & PUT IN MORE CONCRETE & STONE, CANOPIES, REMOVABLE OR NOT TAKE AWAY AESTHETICS OF -T R E E S- !

Avoid evergreens, we are dark enough in the winter.

The Oak Savanna is a space that is sacred for the NASCC Community; please consider coordinating with them in your land use plans and efforts in the park blocks. The Oak Savanna has been a site of conflicting uses due to the dogs that use the area after sacred plantings occur by PSU students in Native American communities and Indigenous Nations studies department. Please consult with Judy Bluehorse Skelton.

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This introduces evergreens in a park that is too small for them, doesn't protect the 5 rows of trees in alignment.

In general: I am not sure where evergreens, firs and such, fit in. But they should not be part of the new tree plantings.

Conifers at the south end of Block 1 will create a gloomy place in winter and often an inhospitable place year-round.

I am heartbroken you plan on removing so many of the elms, it looks like around 20%. The world is quickly losing so many trees over a hundred years old, they provide so much richness to our environment and urban animals.

Retain all trees until their natural life cycle is achieved.

Please don't take down any healthy trees!

I am very opposed to the removal of Trees.

Central Promenade (13) •

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Central Promenade through park is too much hardscape in this walk through park. It makes it more of a straight though shot for skateboarders/scooters/bikes. The historical nature of the design was for people to pause a bit on bench, read, visit with friend, meet a lover, walk through the park and fell refreshed from the city cacophony of sounds and hardscape concrete.

I like the central promenade idea, but I'm not sure that the park blocks are wide enough to accomplish the desired atmosphere. I worry that it might feel too exposed and the ration between pavement and vegetation will be off balance.

What was unclear to me is: are you replacing the center of the Park Blocks with a path? If so, are there also paths on either side? I found that a bit confusing.

Promenade: For the cultural district blocks (Blocks 7-12), keep the existing set-up of two central walkways instead of removing trees to create a central walkway. Unlike the photo examples of a promenade, which I assume come from Central Park in New York City because I’ve visited that promenade near 5th Avenue and E. 60th Street, the South Park Blocks are too narrow to have side landscaped areas to complement a wide central promenade. The promenade would eliminate the appearance of a park through loss of trees and lawn or groundcover. To be clear, my comment excludes new or enlarged plazas (symbolized in pale yellow) in line with or extending from what would be a promenade (medium gray). I think the existing walkways subtly encourage clockwise one-way movement (southbound on the west walkway and northbound on the east walkway).

The promenade images suggest that both the central pathway and the adjacent grass areas will get wider.

That seems unrealistic The South Park Blocks Master Plan calls for consolidating the two walkways into a single walkway do not create the single walkway.

This increases the likelihood of conflicts within the park by creating a single central promenade instead of keeping the 4 existing choices, Sidewalks on both sides of the park are important for safety.

Generally, I like the promenade idea for its simplicity and openness. I think it will be important to think about sight lines going down it, right now my eyes are always directed toward the trees in the middle of the planters. I'm curious what they might be guided toward in the future. I think it could help with drawing people toward newly activated parts of the park blocks.

I also like the central promenade but I love the current parallel paths. since you are moving toward a single central path in blocks 7-12, it might not feel like there are as many places to slow down and sit by yourself. I cannot remember if you had seating that branched off from the

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main central path.

Bifurcated walkways are preferable to central promenade.

I'm not a fan of the wide central promenade. hard surfaces should not make up the majority of the footprint of the park.

Vehicle Traffic and Parking (12) • • •

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Please remove as much parking as needed to provide a safe and pleasant experience for walking, biking, and rolling.

Removal of far more car parking is needed.

The park blocks are a special place in our city and I encourage continuing to deprioritize vehicle traffic in the immediate vicinity, ideally restricting or deterring cross-traffic in the park blocks except for major designated roads such as Market. Consideration should be made for either permanent or time-based traffic calming on these major roads in the vicinity of the park blocks as well. As an example, through traffic permitted during peak commute times, with traffic calming / lane restrictions in place outside of those hours and potentially blocked completely on weekends.

I'm mainly writing in to encourage Portland Parks and Recreation and the Portland Bureau of Transportation to push themselves farther on limiting automobile access and making more of the public right of way available to people walking and biking. Doing so is in line with our equity goals, our climate goals, our air quality goals, and a crucial opportunity to make public space available to a larger number of Portlanders.

This park, located in the center of the densest neighborhood in the state and with abundant transit access, simply does not need to give away so much space to private automobiles - and would be enhanced with quieter, cleaner streets without automobiles. I think the city should move forward with car free blocks, with raised crossings, and with every inch of this park designed to accommodate people instead of cars.

I'd like to add my voice to support increased traffic calming measures on streets crossing the Park Blocks. As someone who uses the Park Blocks regularly (I work at PSU), I find it often annoying to walk or bike down the Park Blocks from PSU to downtown because drivers on streets that cross the Park Blocks often refuse to stop for pedestrians who are trying to cross in the crosswalks no matter whether they are in the middle of the Park Blocks or at the edges. It really detracts from the park-like setting of the Park Blocks, because you constantly have to battle auto traffic. To compound the problem, there are no stop signs for cars driving across the Park Blocks so they speed up (I think that speed is what makes them unlikely to stop for pedestrians). This is a residential and highly pedestrianized area but currently it feels like cars and drivers are given priority. I don't see a discussion of traffic calming in this proposal. The example of a promenade you show is of Central Park in NYC, which is largely uninterrupted by cars. I would appreciate if you could work with PBOT not to just separate traffic modes, but to really and significantly slow down the drivers and calm traffic. I also want to urge you to imagine and work on a goal for a completely car-free Park Blocks and have that as your ultimate goal with the current design as an intermediate step.

Extremely disappointed in the preservation of vehicle traffic through the South Park Blocks. This is at odds with the vision of the Green Loop and a modern walkable and bikable city. This area has the potential to be a world-class biking and walking hub. Instead we have a narrow separated bikeway. This would be a huge missed opportunity.

I think that parking and private vehicles are very poor uses of space in and near the South Park blocks, including on roads.

Please make it car-free.

Permanent closure of Main through the S Park Blocks is an excellent idea I think the plan will impair access to First Congregational Church for elderly people who don’t walk or bike.

The South Park Blocks should be carfree to provide the safest and most enjoyable experience for people

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walking and cycling through this resource.

I am very opposed to the removal of car lanes in this area. The traffic during peak times is heavy enough.

Covid 19 has taught us that public transport (max and bus) are not all that healthy and it’s ageist and ablest to assume that everyone is riding bikes.

Maintenance and Security (10) •

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What the park does need is a reliably funded program of professional maintenance; any money made available for the proposed changes would be better dedicated to the care of the special place we already have.

The increase in program spaces is counter the Park Bureau’s current capabilities. The current DECREASE in park programs and inability to maintain what we have doesn’t make this plan look reasonable.

New plantings in beds and as buffers adds a tremendous amount of additional maintenance work in the park. Plantings are much more labor intensive than turf.

As a downtown resident who walks the 2.1 mile loop of these blocks 3-4 times a week-- sometimes twice in one day--I can say that only the south end is in need of care. PSU has not kept their part of the bargain.

Poorly cleaned and managed. Look at the weeds around Shattuck Hall for example. Giving them MORE responsibility is wrong headed.

I would like to see updated waste and recycling receptacles within each of the blocks, especially in the University District portion of South Park Blocks.

Any plan should include funding for action AND maintenance of the plan.

Creates too may new planting beds that will not be properly maintained due to lack of funding, All of these plans look great but who is going to monitor these additions? Without monitoring these new seating spaces and covered areas may quickly be destroyed or used as temporary housing for folks who may have no other options. Also, what sort of issues will these spaces cause for PSU as there may be more nonPSU folks around campus all the time. The art and tree projects seem awesome, but it seems to be without proper vetting and a plan to monitor these spaces they will be a poor investment.

Currently these 12 blocks are not safe, are hanging out places for street people, drug dealers, have trash everywhere and tent sites.

We need improved availability of Park Rangers.

Parking (9) •

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Very concerned about reduction in parking in cultural district. Not so much for residents but for guests of residents and/or vendors/couriers who already struggle now at rush hours. More loading/short-term parking only areas would be critical.

The amount of cars parked in this corridor should be reduced overall. Leave the cars out of the park.

We don't need to preserve automobile storage over space for people.

The proposal removes too much parking from the part of downtown that appears to attract the most visitors, particularly with the art museum and the performing arts center. The nearest SmartPark garage (at 10th Ave) is too distant from most of the blocks. The South Park Blocks are already one of the safest areas for cyclists compared to elsewhere, particularly East Portland. Drivers already take a cue from their surroundings to go slow and stop a lot. I’ve also seen far more pedestrians and cars than cyclists along the blocks. This would keep the approximately 84 parking stalls along west Park Avenue in these six blocks.

• If no or minimal change is defeated, I’d urge a Plan B that keeps approximately half of existing parking using one of two parking lanes along west Park Avenue and adds a one-way cycle track. Revise the proposed cross section from left to right from the proposed travel lane of 12 feet (which is too wide anyway; it would encourage speeding), buffer of 6 feet, and cycle track of 12.5 ft to: west side parking lane

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of 8 ft, a travel lane of 10 ft, a striped buffer of 2 ft with flexible plastic poles, and a one-way cycle track of 10.5 feet. This would fit within the existing west curb and the east edge of what is now the east sidewalk and keep about 42 parking stalls. (This outcome would be similar to the west side of Director Park, where on-street parking is on the west but not the east side of that street.)

Parking is a problem. Having events and other large gatherings will bring more people as well as more cars.

What's the plan for parking?

I am disappointed to not see a recommendation to remove the on-street parking that was added adjacent to the park. That parking greatly reduces the safety of the streets and greatly reduces the attractiveness of the park. I think parking could be acceptable adjacent to the sidewalk, but not next to the park blocks.

Instead of cramming bikes together in a dangerous 2- way , remove the parking and create more space for people biking, jogging, skateboarding, etc. A one-way, 9' lane would be a safe, comfortable recreational experience that is much more in keeping with the spirit of the park blocks and historic district that the parked cars, which were not a part of the original design.

Remove at LEAST TWO lanes of parking! The South Park Blocks should be for PEOPLE, not CARS! If the on-street parking goes away, what will replace it? This is important for students.

Statues (9) • • • •

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It appears that the present statues of Lincoln and Roosevelt would remain, but it is not entirely clear.

In view of our current social climate, however, might be a great idea to remove the statues of white men and replace them with a more up to date representation of the history of the land.

Additionally, considering the long-needed national discussion and Portland's long history of white supremacy, designing a park around a statue of Theodore Roosevelt is tone deaf at absolute minimum.

Just one thought: the statue of George Washington off of NE Sandy was recently toppled. I assume it will be restored at some point. But consider whether it should be put back at its old location or placed in the center of the new "Madison Plaza" to create a trio of Presidential statues, flanked by Lincoln and Roosevelt.

Take Teddy off the horse.

Please remove statues of Lincoln and Roosevelt and replace with BIPOC people.

I'd like to see the removal of the statues of Lincoln and Roosevelt to be replaced by artwork acknowledging Oregon's troubled racial history and erasure of indigenous peoples.

I would like to ask that you all remove the Roosevelt and Lincoln statues and replace them with statues of political figures from Black history. We don't need to keep celebrating slave owners.

How about a statue of a non-racist, non-white, non-man?

Art (9) • • • • •

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All art in this park should be developed and managed by the Portland art museum.

And for the love of god, stop putting people on the ‘art.’ Vegas odds you are definitely going to get it wrong, and even if you didn’t it will be dated and irrelevant by the time you hit dirt.

Most of the interactive art samples are repulsive.

Do hate to see the Orpheus Fountain removed.

My only concerns are how well interactive art installations will be maintained over time-- rotating art installations sound promising, but I would worry about interactive features breaking down and not being replaced if they are seen as permanent and sufficient funding isn't secured.

When selecting art, please avoid anything tokenizing or created by white people for a surface appearance of "diversity and inclusion" without complex, intersectional representation of minoritized/marginalized

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identities. Thank you!

Playground and changing art exhibits, esp. as they allow the arts district to blend with the park blocks, are terrific.

I would like to see the following idea replicated somewhere between blocks 1-6, the PSU area: Example of art or interactive features to reflect diverse cultural histories and identities for Blocks 10 & 11. I think having a flow of this information throughout the entire SPB would help to reaffirm the commitment to acknowledging histories and identities.

Can you clarify who would administrate the rotating art exhibitions on Block 6 - PSU, City, a collaboration?

Homeless / Houseless Community (8) •

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People set up tents, sleep on benches or in sleeping bags in the park blocks. These people have not been tested for Covid-19, and there is no city effort to deal with this crisis. Our South Park blocks no longer belong to all of the community.

Consider safety primary in usage. Develop plan for transients and drug use. Homeless / Houseless Community.

I'm also concerned about permanent street closures that give housed folks more space and while not addressing the needs of houseless folks.

My main concern about improvements to the South Park Blocks is that they will, intentionally or unintentionally, make homeless neighbors unwelcome in the park. I live in the Cultural District and believe that my homeless neighbors have just as much a right to use these spaces as I do, but I worry especially about whether new social seating will have hostile design elements (e.g. metal bars at varying intervals to discourage sleeping). I am so excited about many of these improvements, but please don't use hostile design to kick out the homeless just so white cyclists and concertgoers have more gentrified green space devoted to them.

This project does not address the most consistent users of the space, i.e., the homeless population and people who are forced out of shelters with no place to rest in the city. Not providing any space for homeless people to exist and be in their neighborhood will not erase them or make them invisible.

I suspect a bunch of Karens who don't want to see homeless people designed this. The homeless are Portland residents who deserve their peaceful, free spaces preserved.

Also, please consider the volume of homeless in the Cultural District. They often congregate in the area in order to stay out of the way of other business and walking traffic.

I want you to address the serious homeless crisis in the South Park blocks, specifically the neighborhood and Peace Plaza and Roosevelt Plaza. There are dangerous behaviors that make residents, groups of children, families, older citizens, women walking alone and visitors to museums afraid. Many groups of unwashed, unhoused men gather and dominate the benches, particularly near the public loo. There is spitting, smoking, public urination, drug paraphernalia and garbage on the ground. There are many mentally ill who are sometimes agitated. They don't need the police, they need mental health care and should not be wandering in the park and streets. It is not safe during the Pandemic, but also problematic during normal times.

Lawn and Grass (7) • • • •

If you have the grass too long, needles will be hidden in the grass.

Replacing lawn with native plants is great up to a point.

I think native planting, ground covers, etc can work in what is currently lawn areas but they should be carefully designed to not look wild or overgrown and messy.

Still way too much grass in the Cultural district. At the last open house, many, many comments and notes

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talked about less grass and more native plantings. In the draft preferred design, there is still not enough native plantings and way too much grass. Please, listen to us.

I am also saddened you plan to remove so much lawn space. I like the native planting, but people also need access to sitting in grass and feeling nature. If you do the research, you will find sitting in natural landscapes, touching plants and grass literally helps our mental health. People need a grass space to spread their blankets and sit with their children. These spaces are hard to come by in an urban environment.

Additionally, while I favor replacing certain areas of grass with native plantings, the amount of grass that would remain is unclear. In one of the tree designs, the key seemed backwards, indicating native plants in most of the area in the current layout, where there is currently grass. This made it difficult to assess what is being proposed in the mock-up for the new design. There needs to still be a large grassy area for students.

They love laying a blanket on the grass in summer. So many promotional PSU photos feature students doing just that. It would be very sad if so many grassy areas were replaced by structures and large pathways.

As the surrounding blocks get built up, we need to keep the grassy places, even the small patches between the two paths.

Restrooms / Portland Loo (4) • • • •

I didn't see anything about bathrooms in this. I hope the plan keeps the one we do have--and even adds another.

Where are the public toilets? Is the only existing one to be removed?

Leave the loos.

I hope the Portland Loo will remain in the design, and I would like to see another installed.

Dogs (4) •

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Off-leash dogs are an issue in this park already. It's the law yet ignored, and owners get belligerent (see Central Park Karen story) when asked to leash their dogs. How can this issue be addressed by Park Rangers, PSU campus police, etc?

There is a clear demand for a fenced dog park in the area that should be strongly considered.

Downtown Portland, in general, lacks safe off-leash dog spaces, compared to nearby districts: e.g., pearl district, and NW district. Dog parks promote leash law compliance, helps keep walk paths and green areas clean, and also serve as community building spaces. I believe there is a great opportunity within the project vision for a dog park. thank you!

I love the Park blocks and live here. I’m concerned about residential use such as dog walking.

Skateboards (3) • •

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Remove the skateboarding deterrents too. Skateboarding is a healthy activity.

I realize skateboarding and sleeping on community benches is viewed as problematic and mediated through design features like metal strips. To reduce the need for this, have you considered allocating space for a small skate park?

Why isn't there a space created for skaters, since they are frequently at the park as well? Instead it is noted that "deterrents" will be established to prevent skaters from using the space.

Questions • • • •

What is the estimated cost of these changes?

Tax ramifications?

How will rules be enforced: no smoking, bike riding, skateboarding, scooter riding?

Will there be drinking fountains, hand washing stations, public toilets, and

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trash/recycling/compost facilities?

Even before the events of the past weeks, who does this space serve? Who does it reflect and represent?

Are you discussing diversity or are you performing it?

Other / General • • • •

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Without having specific knowledge of the number of users, the types of users it's tough to embrace this plan full on.

Will be challenging to get community support and excitement due to complexity of populations and activities in this area. May also be difficult to get funding in near future.

There is a clear demand for a community and/or student garden.

The "place-making" installation examples were all rather ugly. Please remember that a city park doesn't need to be a hub of activity to have value; it serves better as a refuge from activity. If I want excitement I can go clubbing.

Please abide by PSU commitments made to the blocks in 1970.

Support the DNA recommendations ignores the needs of local residents (who don't live in single family homes in green neighborhoods so who consider this park vital to their well-being) Adding physical structures is a major distraction and fateful step in the _wrong_ direction. Once begun, it will only expand. A very bad idea.

This project has not received the TV or newspaper.

The original plan was unique and should be more respected.

I like the addition of free charging stations for all.

The negative reactions to these new spaces are overwhelming. Is this a competition in cheap modernity? A challenge to make one Portland park indistinguishable from another? An effort to cover the entire city in flexible cement event spaces and bicycle freeways? Are our decision makers really *that* blind to the perceptions that ‘New Portland’ growth has done zero to integrate and smooth older aesthetics to current?

And again, WHY SO MUCH CONCRETE. Not every space needs to be ‘useful’ or ‘usable.’ Not every space has to be potentially profitable or marketable. These motivations are not hidden nor is their message missed.

I wish you could put some pressure on PAM to TAKE OUT the parking space closest to SILVESTER SYCAMORE. It is shocking to see vehicles parking so close to the tree there when what should happen there is a rain garden to save the tree from some of the pollution of their newly re- surfaced otherwise TREELESS ASPHALT DESERT of a parking lot. Silvester has long shown signs that s/he needs more TLC. So glad to see the city continue the ongoing project to destroy Portland’s character.

Just let parks be parks stop screwing them up and get rid of the homeless.

You won’t scrap these plans, even though you should. If nothing else, the tone-deafness of Portland leadership remains wildly on-brand. Look forward to hearing complaints of not knowing this was happening and criticisms of how stupid/ugly/etc it is. Luckily for you, the public certainly isn’t under the impression that anyone is listening anyways.

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Focus Groups Summaries Portland State University Students

In February 2020, Tate White, Barbara Hart, and Eder Katembwe met with 14 Portland State Students for a two-hour focus group to review and discuss the design concept options for the South Park Blocks. The group included student leaders from the My Africa Business Club, Financial Management Association, Green Council and Student Sustainability Center. The purpose of the focus group was to engage students with diverse perspectives including students of color, immigrants and refugees and students living with disabilities.

On June 22, 2020, we followed up with six of these participants on Zoom to review and discuss the Draft Preferred Design. After introductions and a recap of the previous focus group and planning process to date, the project manager presented the Draft Preferred Design. The purpose of this follow-up focus group was to overview the Draft Preferred Design, answer any questions, discuss if the Draft Preferred Design reflected their previous input, and encourage participants to take the survey and spread the word about the Online Open House and Survey to their friends, family, and colleagues.

At the first focus group, a desire was expressed to see more community gardens in the park for students experiencing food insecurity. The project team explained that while they were supportive of the concept, it was not something that could be integrated into the Draft Preferred Design as the South Park Blocks are narrow, highly programmed spaces.

Design and technical analysis suggest there is insufficient available space and solar access to support a successful community garden within the South Park Blocks. Through previous planning and policy work, PP&R has established that we do not have enough appropriate park land to meet the demand for community gardens. To resolve this challenge, our Community Garden Program partners with schools, churches and other property owners to combine community garden resources with increased land capacity. The project team encouraged the interested students to reach out to PP&R’s Community Garden Coordinator to explore partnerships to expand the existing student garden programs on University property. Having more space to work with will help benefit more students experiencing food insecurity.

Feedback included the following: -

First impression is that it is awesome Good job of hearing the public concerns Like the addition of evergreen trees – important for stormwater management.

Concerned about anti-skate design elements Skateboarding is a legitimate form of transportation for many Has worked towards incorporating a lot of different ideas and seems like a good compromise Please continue to work towards making more inclusive spaces Favor for representing more diversity in cultures and identities Important to make sure that everyone feels welcome The historic presentation opposition seems like coded language Work at telling more diverse stories through visuals that are reminder of roots of Portland – great for visitors Temporary canopy seems like it might be too labor intensive or costly Like the idea of bringing art into the park – look at San Francisco MOMA who provides art in public spaces that can be viewed without paying an entrance fee Please engage non-white artists for new work – PBOT is working on a Black Street Art Request for Proposals that could be a good model

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Additional Questions and Discussion focused on transportation issues, including: -

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Elimination of street parking to accommodate the Green Loop o Questions about the Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT)’s thoughts on this. Response explained that it was something PBOT planning was advocating for in order to promote more sustainable modes of travel. PBOT parking groups are concerned about lost parking revenues and service. Their new datainformed dynamic parking model will be good way to explore how to best implement this through more detailed design and construction.

For vehicle travel lanes that remain, are raised crosswalks still being considered? o Yes, this is still recommended as a best practice but there are many drainage challenges to design and implement successfully. Due to uncertainty at this concept level phase, proposals of specific crossing treatments have been removed from the park master plan, but we will be recommending that PBOT continue to pursue the safest crossing options.

Discussion about being interested in doing a focus group like this with PBOT when transportation details are being explored further.

Native American Community Advisors

On July 28, 2020, Barbara Hart and Tate White met with members of the Native American Community Advisory Committee that participated as advisors on the South Park Blocks Master Plan.

Feedback included the following: -

Information was provided on the PSU Oaks Savannah. The new PSU President has shifted the conversation to recognize the role of resiliency, reconciliation, and healing in the landscape.

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By, contrast, they were disappointed to see the by the monoculture focus of the Draft Preferred Design with the replanting of Elms. They would like to see much more species diversity.

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A presentation on the draft historic nomination has been shared with them and they were deeply hurt by the focus on settler culture and the European-influenced park design which feels like the erasure of Native American history and culture.

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Happy to see the introduction of Evergreen trees for more diversity and added habitat value. Potential of what could be done at Block 1 is really exciting. Pacific Madrone is a great Evergreen with medicinal properties and Douglas Fir may be more difficult to have plants be successful underneath.

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$150,000 of PP&R budget every year goes to inoculation of existing elms for Dutch Elm disease which seems to provide financial incentive to move away from elms and monocultures.

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Tribal liaison is working on a process to more respectfully involve and incorporate Indigenous communities in land use planning processes.

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Instead of statues of Teddy Roosevelt and Lincoln, it would be great to have native sculpture of some kind and a spot reserved for a Black artist. The art could be rotating so there is less permanent.

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The rows of trees feel colonial, which is too bad. Would like to see more of a decolonizing landscape. Could native understory be added to soften these lines and create a more resilient landscape?

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Historic nomination presentation quotes the poetry of Emerson, but Emerson was inspired by the diverse forest near his house.

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Comments Submitted by Email 1. Delay. I urge Portland Parks (Parks) to delay the Plan until the nomination for historic status has been filed by the Downtown Neighborhood Association (DNA) and determinations made by state and federal agencies. The determinations should precede any final draft of the Plan.

2. Equity. I have heard that Chautauqua Pool in North Portland will be closed. If true, where is the justification for putting all this money into the Plan. Has Parks lost its equity lens?

3. Costs. I have also heard that Parks need more funding. Again, if true, where is the justification for starting a major new project like the Plan before Parks can show Portland residents how and when it will right its ship.

Julie Livingston, Design Commission Chair, and Commissioners Kristen Minor, Landmarks Commission Chair, and Commissioners: I support the South Park Blocks Master Plan. I also support the proposed routing of the Green Loop in the central blocks, from Salmon to Market, along the eastern edge of SW Park West, as shown in the plan:

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43 This seems like an excellent compromise, which will separate bicycle and pedestrian and auto traffic. It does not extend any paving beyond where there is already paving. It does not affect any trees, and will in fact create a more pleasant space by removing auto parking, thus reducing the amount of parked cars which intrude in that space today.

I disagree with the Downtown Neighborhood Association's push to designate the blocks as Historic, wherin one motive seems to be to block this bike facility.

While yes, the fact that there are rows of trees could create an "historic" claim for the rows of trees only, I fail to see any continuity of "historic" significance for the various hardscape and/or paving patterns that have existed over the years.

The earliest images show not only trees in the Blocks, but along the curb lines:

1870 It appears that sidewalks were initially wood, with curbline trees within them.

1880s (?)

By 1911, separated concrete sidewalks had been built, with a "planting strip" along the curb for the trees:

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44 Some time later (in the 1940s?) the sidewalks were rebuilt as curb-tight narrow walks, and most (later all) of the curbline trees removed:

1970 In 1987 or so, these curb-tight concrete walks were replaced with the pavers we see today:

2017 So, there was no consistent pattern along the edge of the blocks that survived from the historic period proposed, to the present.

I see no reason that today's sidewalk outline has any historic status. The proposed plan would, in fact result in paving in the same place as today, and keep all the remaining trees at this point.

(I also support using better, modern forestry practices to achieve a healthier canopy, which may include not replacing some trees as they decline. The "5 rows of trees" is not necessarily what's historic, so much as "parallel rows of trees and a continuous canopy") In addition, it is important to listen to all voices in the community, many of which were represented on the Committee, and balance today's needs with the desire for historical continuity, so "history" can continue to evolve, and not be frozen at one time period.

Thank you

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The Park Blocks represent a unique feature of life in downtown Portland. I live in the Eliot, and would not have chosen to live downtown otherwise. Friends and family who visit always comment on this feature, unique for the center of an American city. The long expanse of canopied trees and open spaces are reminiscent of European cities that provide such spaces for their residents as a place to walk and/or sit quietly in the midst of the hubbub of a city.

Especially in the situation we now all find ourselves in, to make the proposed changes that would involve removing trees, the historic rose garden, and adding tables, planters, and othe items that would clutter that space feels even more like something essential to our life here would be destroyed. We live in a changed world, and any proposed new plan should reflect that reality. In addition there is the ongoing issue of global warming and the essential role our trees are playing.

Thank you for your consideration.

1. Delay I urge Portland Parks (Parks) to delay the Plan until the nomination for historic status has been filed by the Downtown Neighborhood Association (DNA) and determinations made by state and federal agencies. The determinations should precede any final draft of the Plan. Why? It is clear to me after listening for two hours to presentations by Parks re the draft Plan, and by PBOT re additional planning ideas for Blocks 10, 11, and 12, that the Plan is and continues to be a work in process. Many items in the Plan are evidenced by examples, while the PBOT ideas, worthy of consideration, are at this stage mere suggestions.

Too many questions are unanswered re the Green Loop, the tree succession strategy, and the pedestrian walkways. The Green Loop is an independent plan not fully vetted and developed to be part of another plan.

The Plan is not ready for review by the City Council.

2. Open Space A major characteristic of the SPB is its open space and simplicity-it is made for walking, talking, reading, and meditation. The Plan with its additional uses, a major bike route, tree removals, insertion of evergreens, street closures, and consolidations of walkways, would threaten the open space and simplicity of the SPB. Some of these items would be okay, not all of them. To a certain extent this planning process is the equivalent of throwing ideas at a wall to see what sticks and might be possible. The planners and consultants do not have solid answers to the many questions raised by the Plan.

3. Tree Canopy A critical characteristic, the deciduous tree canopy in five rows of trees, will be devastated by the tree succession strategy if adopted. Too many trees will be lost, even if it is over time. And there is no reason to introduce evergreens to the mix of trees. Let’s keep it all desiduous. We need shade in the summer and light in the winter. Tree loss should be minimized to reduce climate change and avoid heat islands. The SPB is unique in its reliance on deciduous trees-let’s keep it that way. The tree strategy treats the two districts differently, the University District loses the rows of tree concept in exchange for a hodge podge design to accommodate additional uses and furniture and event spaces, while the Cultural District has rows of trees, but many trees are taken out, too many. The rows should be maintain throughout the SPB. 4. Green Loop/Borders The Green Loop must not intrude within the historic boundaries of the park. Bike lanes must stay in the streets. As a long time bike rider and commuter (1972-present) I strongly believe that the bike ways should be South Park Blocks Master Plan Draft Preferred Design Community Comment Report

46 separated, and place as two independent one-way bike lanes on the two N-S one-way Park Avenue streets. Two one way bike ways would reduce dramatically major peds/bike conflicts inherent in the current Plan. The bikeways deserve more input from bike users and from pedestrians, it should be separated from the Plan process.

The final Plan should keep border sidewalks to demarcate the historic border and accommodate alternative pedestrian-priority paths for the park.

I like the DNA suggestion that a multi-day on-site survey be undertaken of preferences of pedestrians, especially local residents/workers who cross the park daily, regarding the use of one-street versus 2 streets. This survey should be conducted over the course of multiple days by PBOT, but after the COVID closures are finished and PSU reopens. Offices are largely empty now, I know mine is.

5 Street Closures. With PBOT’s proposal for more street closures, I suggest separating the Green Loop configuration and the street closures/traffic issues from the Plan. These traffic decisions will change plans relative to the SPB, and should precede the Plan.

6. Unify SPB The Plan should not create two distinct parks, which the draft currently does. All 12 blocks were originally conceived as a single entity, with unifying concepts of 5 rows of several varieties of deciduous trees in axial alignment and long allée views as unifying principals. Except as modified by the Green Loop/Street Closure work, the Plan should retain cross streets and borders as defining characteristics too.

The existing long, simple benches also unify the Cultural and University blocks. Replacements should be simple too and placed throughout to maintain unity. And care must be taken to avoid cluttering this historic, simple, unifying design with too much stuff.

The “Draft Referred Plan” has been presented for proposed revisions to the South Park Blocks, along with a nomination to the National Register of Historic Places to the State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) in Salem. These two efforts seem to me not to be compatible. Either the Park’s primary historic elements are respected intact in a new nomination, or they are abandoned for an entirely new design. The plans presented are for an entirely new design, after the extant historic elements are proposed for removal.

Of the 12 blocks comprising the South Park Blocks, six (The University District) to the south, have already been seriously compromised when PSU took them over as a central part of its campus. At that time, all the original North to South (N/S) central paths were removed and the original deciduous tree “allee” concept (planted in 1877) was replaced by more modern, multi-purposed open spaces-- all different in concept from each other. The original simplicity of a “Cathedral of Trees” concept did not remain on the ground, when its original central walkways were removed and when shrubbery was planted, blocking the N/S views. The present Draft Plan retains these PSU revisions, but adds a new bike Greenway (12’-6” wide) along the entire west side (at Park Avenue West) of the six block University District, dividing the buildings from their existing free access to the park. This bike freeway seems to be the backbone of all the proposed changes.

The other six blocks to the north (The Cultural District) at present retain their original allee concept (a green lawn with five rows of deciduous trees (4 allees/5 rows of trees), with two N/S pedestrian paths at each side of the central row. A South Park Blocks Master Plan Draft Preferred Design Community Comment Report

47 more open allee developed in time at the Portland Art Museum (PAM), where the equestrian statue of Theodore Roosevelt is located. The new Draft Plan replaces this concept with one central pedestrian path and two rows of trees to each side, much more widely spaced, with larger trees in the middle and smaller ones at the perimeter. The original allee design of the park, the Cathedral of Trees, tall and closely spaced, is totally gone in the new Draft Plan.

There are four significant features of the Draft Plan for the six northerly South Park Blocks. (1) There is a significant addition with a new (30’-6“wide) bike freeway (Greenway) at the south side of the Park Blocks. The bike freeway includes two parallel bike lanes flanked by planters at each side, penetrated only at street intersections and at some mid-block locations. (2) In the Draft Plan ALL the trees in the South Park Blocks are eventually removed and replaced with new trees, which differ in size, species and spacing. (3) The apparent width (W curb to E curb) of the Park Blocks is reduced from 124 ft. (W/E) by inserting part of the bike Greenway and by removing in the process many thousand sq. ft. of lawn. Originally, the dimensions of the Park Blocks were thought to be 100 ft. x 200 ft. (or one-half of a city block). At Salmon Street, the existing E/W width of the Arlington Club, to the Park’s north, is 100 ft. with 50 ft.

R.O.W. at each side and gives evidence to this. The width of the Park Blocks was further recorded in 1903 at 109’ (by J. Olmsted), and expanded in the 1980s to its present 124 ft. Yet, this plan proposes to REDUCE the width of the park, presumably to accommodate the bike freeway at its western border. (4) With the 30’-6” Greenway barrier at its front door, access to the PAM is severely restricted, both for car unloading and pedestrian entry (not to mention fire truck access). The PAM now has been encircled by the Rose Lane (bikes, etc.) Project (to the south), light rail (to the west), a pedestrian path (to the north) on vacated Madison St., and now the Greenway barrier (to the west) on West Park Street. While the PAM is the essence of the “Cultural District,” this plan, on the contrary, belittles its presence and further hampers its continued presence on the South Park Blocks.

In 1903 famous park planner John Charles Olmsted from Brookline, MA presented Portland with its first Parks Plan. In his final Plan, he commented that our Park Blocks “correspond closely in effect to Commonwealth Avenue in Boston” (planted a few years earlier than Portland’s Park Blocks)-- in essence, a green lawn with parallel allees of deciduous trees. With the proposed changes to the South Park Blocks, all similarity between the still existing Commonwealth Avenue and Portland’s South Park Blocks will cease to exist. The proposed changes significantly alter the character and use of the Park Blocks. Originally, the Blocks were for pedestrian passage and use, simple in concept and innately peaceful. The new plan includes every possible use, including the dominating hustle of a bike highway and multi-activity oriented use, all seemingly cluttered, such that listing them on the National Register of Historic Places after all historic qualities are removed seems hard to fathom. Commonwealth Avenue is listed on the National Register, but WITHOUT changing its basic planning concept.

I’m writing to urge you to maintain the extant tree canopy as part of any plan for reinvisioning the South Park Blocks.

These are a critical asset in our efforts to tackle climate change. And, mature elms are a rare and special thing indeed.

Testimony to the Combined Design and Landmarks Commission July 14th meeting pertaining to the South Park Blocks Master Plan.

I am a member of the Downtown Neighborhood Association, and the Park Blocks are my back yard.

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48 The adoption of a South Park Blocks Master Plan is premature and out of sequence with other important planning processes. The South Park Blocks nomination for historic designation has been submitted to the Oregon Historic Preservation Office. If approved there will be documented important features that should be incorporated into any long ‐term Park Blocks Master Plan.

Since there are currently not approved budget dollars to actually implement any significant changes to the existing park blocks there is no reason the planning process cannot be paused until the outcome of the Historic nomination process is completed.

To Members of the Design Commission and Landmarks Commission, I am here today to support the South Park Blocks Master Plan. The experience of being on the Master Plan Community Advisory Committee has been rewarding and helpful to my work. Through the committee, I was able to listen to a wide array of stakeholders who interact with the South Park Blocks in various ways. The committee included representatives from the Portland Art Museum, Oregon Historic Society, Portland 5, Portland State University, Portland Farmers Market, residents, students and Portland citizens. We were also able to interact with Portland Parks, Portland Bureau of Transportation and Mayer/Reed. This assembly was excellent.

For Green Loop, it was important to understand the uses of the Park Blocks, such as the Portland Farmers Market and accommodating school buses for the Art Museum and Portland’5. Relationships formed in the committee led to opportunities to learn more outside of the committee - I was able to volunteer at the Portland Farmers Market and understand how Green Loop would need to interact with this event including vendor loadouts, market entrances and chef concierge areas. Working with everyone, we came to a consensus on Green Loop alignment that reflected the needs and visions of everyone - an alignment on the west side of the park. This recommendation is being vetted through the public and is looking like it has consensus. As a result of this work, this is the alignment that I will be advocating for with PBOT and the public.

Recently, I have been informed that the Downtown Neighborhood Association does not approve of the Master Plan and has submitted a historic nomination for the South Park Blocks. It is unfortunate that the DNA has not taken advantage of the opportunity they had as a member of the Community Advisory Committee to listen to the voices in the room and work together through the process to develop a nomination that represented that combined vision. It is very troubling to me that the DNA has developed this nomination without the inclusion of any other committee members or Portland Parks. As far as I know, no one has seen the actual nomination - including Parks. I am very disappointed in this unilateral action that discards all of the work and public input that we have put into this plan. This historic nomination did not need to precede the Master Plan, nor should it had. The process was an opportunity to discover the features and functions of the South Park Blocks that we all value and prioritize that could be included in a nomination.

I support an inclusive and representative committee that includes key stakeholders from the public, private sector and the City of Portland to properly nominate the Park Blocks in the future.

I’d like to thank Barbara Hart, Tate White and Portland Parks for their comprehensive process to develop this plan.

Thank you.

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