On August 20, hundreds of Portlanders braved the heat to join the Oregon Walkways: Connect the Park Blocks on the Green Loop event. A mile-long celebration of public space to promote active transportation on the historic Park Blocks, the event illustrated how a potential Green Loop could feel on the ground. Co-sponsored by Oregon Walks and Better Block PDX , the all-day event was also supported by Metro, Neighbors West/Northwest, Portland Bureau of Transportation, Portland Parks and Recreation and the Bureau of Planning and Sustainability.
The winner of Design Week Portland and UO John Yeon Center’s Loop PDX design competition, Untitled Studio was a key attraction along the walk route. Members of the design team engaged passersby in a pop-up exhibit, featuring two interactive displays: a large map of the Central City and a 3D model of a typical intersection. Participants were asked to share their insights about the future design of the Green Loop through writing and drawing. Untitled Studio hopes to assemble these ideas into a future exhibition for Design Week Portland next spring.
Placed along the mid-town blocks were historical markers, created by Chet Orloff and Linda Wisner, showcasing the history of Portland’s transportation and planning in the Central City. In addition, the route featured programming and activities sponsored by community organizations, institutions and businesses such as the Multnomah County Central Library, Portland Art Museum, Oregon Historical Society, City Repair, Portland Bocce League, Nelson/Nygaard, Street Roots and many more.
Missed the event?
Watch a short video of people interacting with the Untitled Studio displays. Or view and interact with the displays in person, along with the historical markers and photographs of the event, in the lobby of 1900 SW 4th Ave from Monday, August 29 to Friday, September 9.