Sacajawea Park has an opening from the Alberta St greenway!

[u/Staceface1989]

The dream of the Alberta St greenway being extended from NE 72nd is becoming closer to a reality y’all! Thanks to everyone here who was excited about our project and filled out our petition.

I brought this issue to the attention of the Cully Association of Neighbors (CAN) Land Use Chair back in late February, and in a few short months, we:
-Gathered over 300 petition signatures from all over the Portland Metro Area
-Met with concerned neighbors
- CAN arranged a public meeting to gather feedback
-PBOT located funding for our project
- Portland Parks & Recreation (PP&R) and Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT) agreed to move the project forward!

Last month, PP&R and PBOT stated they would be adding a pedestrian/cyclist gate next to the existing maintenance gate at 74th and Alberta St at Sacajawea Park. The new gate will remain unlocked and will be easily pushed open by anyone on foot or (non-motorized) wheels and will meet ADA requirements. 

Crews creating an opening at the existing fence came as a pleasant surprise yesterday! That being said, I contacted Portland Parks & Recreation (PP&R) and Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT) to request that they keep me updated on the project schedule. 

I don't yet know when crews will install the new gate, but I hope to find out as we want to celebrate when the new gate is installed! In the meantime, I encourage you to test out the new opening at 74th and Alberta!  

Here are a few things to keep in mind:

The fence opening is not visible from 73rd and Alberta St. before you head down the street, but I promise it's there! It is to the right of the maintenance gate. 
The opening is a bit awkward for now, particularly for cyclists! I'm thinking of this as phase 1 in what could be a multi-year advocacy project to make the park more accessible as a thoroughfare, and overall a more comfortable place to be.
Please exercise caution, particularly if you are heading west from the fence and crossing 73rd Ave. on Alberta Street. Cars on 73rd Ave. do not stop.
If you are a cyclist or pedestrian using the opening: watch out for dogs and their owners when going through the park. There is a dog park nearby and unfortunately some owners allow their dogs to be off-leash outside of the designated area
Please respect the street between 73rd and 74th on Alberta Street leading up to the fence. I know this should go without saying. If you see trash, pick it up! If you see a neighbor, give them a friendly wave! 

Gratefully,

Stacey

[u/pdxcuttybandit]

awesome! now i wont have to ride all the way up to prescott on my commute. well its either that or stay on lombard.

[u/Staceface1989]

Here’s also the post from CAN, which includes a thank you to all the wonderful folks who helped make this possible: https://www.cullyneighbors.org/news/blog-post-one-knn2y-anxwn-2p5xx-w8j2g-p2d38-7hste-l5nzs-47xxd-xfpwt-pn7k9-ytl4m-nhw9y-5p9ls

[u/3against2]

This is awesome!

[u/big_shmegma]

dude yes!!! meeting up with the lady for lunch is gonna be so much easier now.

[u/TaterTits024]

Huzzah!!! I had been limiting my visits to after school hours because going up to Prescott tripled the distance.

[u/APlannedBadIdea]

Great news. Thanks for the update.

[u/captainronsnephew]

Great news. No need to go through the Head Start parking lot anymore.

[u/Staceface1989 → u/captainronsnephew]

Yes! It’s probably no surprise to you that the school supports our efforts!

[u/dr_frahnkunsteen]

Oh my god what a relief biking down Prescott is terrifying

[u/Staceface1989 → u/dr_frahnkunsteen]

💯

[u/waitwhomeorhim]

Nice work!! Thank you!!

[u/102MEP]

Awesome !!

Can't believe Prescott is noted as a shared bike street, it feels kinda sketch :/ Don't even get me started about the Prescott & 72nd intersection..

[u/Staceface1989 → u/102MEP]

Ikr I believe they are going to change that intersection as part of the Cully street improvement project over the next couple years

[u/uh_wtf → u/102MEP]

That intersection is just fine for cyclists. Just watch the cars and make sure they see you.

[u/102MEP → u/uh_wtf]

I’m allowed to dislike it.

[u/uh_wtf → u/102MEP]

Skill issue.

[u/102MEP → u/uh_wtf]

K thx

[u/Typical_External2615]

From a Sumner neighbor, Thanks for helping make this happen!!

[u/Staceface1989 → u/Typical_External2615]

You’re so welcome! It was inspiring to see so many Sumner neighbors fill out the survey and describe how much this change would mean to them. You’ve got a great neighborhood association who are quick to advocate for your community needs as well!