News Release: Portland Sunday Parkways premieres new event in North Portland on August 2 with new route through St. Johns

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Experience the joy of open streets and connecting with community at North Portland Sunday Parkways Presented by Kaiser Permanente this Sunday, Aug. 2. Photo by PBOT.

(July 30, 2026) Portland Sunday Parkways Presented byKaiser Permanente will return toNorth Portland on Sunday, August 2, from 11 a.m. to4p.m. with a brand-new 6.7-mile event route connecting Downtown St. Johns, McCoy Park, Columbia Park, and McKenna Park.

This free community event, led by the Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT) and funded by the Portland Clean Energy Community Benefits Fund (PCEF), invites people of all ages to walk, bike, roll, and play on car-free streets while exploring North Portland neighborhoods, parks, and local businesses. The new route also celebrates the completion of recent walking and biking upgrades alongN. Willamette Boulevard and improvements from theNorth PortlandIn Motion plan, giving participants the opportunity to experience these investments in a car-free environment.

As part of this year's event, Portland Sunday Parkways is partnering with theSt.Johns Boosters to celebrate Downtown St. Johns as a destination for shopping, dining, and community connection. Along this portion of the route, local brick-and-mortar businesses will participate in the Sunday Parkways marketplace through complimentary booth spaces, creating a unique opportunity to connect directly with thousands of event attendees while showcasing their products, services, and activities.

New this year, in connection with Kaiser Permanente's role as the official medical provider for the Portland Thorns and Portland Fire, families can stop by the MOVE booth in McKenna Park for Portland Fire-inspired basketball activities and the PLAY booth in McCoy Park for Portland Thorns experiences, including bench soccer. Visitors can also enjoy healthy treats at the NOURISH booth and contribute to a community mural at the CONNECT booth designed to spark conversation and help reduce stigma around mental health.

"At Kaiser Permanente, we know that being active and connecting with one another are powerful ways to support both physical and mental well-being," said Wendy Watson, president of Kaiser Permanente Northwest. "Sunday Parkways brings communities together in a way that's joyful, active and welcoming for all ages. We're proud to support an event that encourages people-powered transportation, celebrates local neighborhoods and businesses, and inspires people to get outside and exercise. This year, we're especially excited to build on that energy through our new partnership as the official medical provider of the Portland Thorns and Portland Fire, by offering playful activities that promote movement, and interactive experiences that help families connect with the teams in fun, memorable ways."

Try out an e-bike

Visitors can come by the Portland Rides booth and find out if they qualify for an e-bike rebate! Portland Rides provides income-qualified Portland residents with rebates of up to $1,600 for standard e-bikes, up to $2,350 for cargo e-bikes, and up to $8,500 for adaptive e-bikes, plus $300 for accessories like helmets and bike locks.

At the booth located in Downtown St. Johns, visitors can:

• Talk to program staff who can answer questions about eligibility, the application process, and participating retailers
• Take a test ride and experience an e-bike
• Spin the prize wheel for a chance to win some program swag

Can't make it? Visitportlandebikerebate.com to learn more about the program and apply.

For event updates and day-of reminders delivered straight to your phone, text "North" to 888-520-0526. Standard text message rates may apply. Opt-out anytime by texting "STOP".

New North Portland event route

Participants are welcome to join the route at any point and head in any direction. The route features newly completed improvements for biking and walking in North Portland. Map by PBOT.

The North Portland 6.7-mile looped route highlights Downtown St. Johns, and the University Park, Cathedral Park, and Portsmouth neighborhoods. Participants are welcome to join the route at any point and head in any direction. This event route is specially designed to highlight the network of neighborhood greenways, walking and biking infrastructure, parks, and community resources.

People are encouraged to stop and enjoy vendor marketplaces, free family-friendly activities, and live entertainment at the four activation areas along the route including Downtown St. Johns, McCoy Park, Columbia Park and Annex, and McKenna Park.

Try BIKETOWN for free! During the event, there will be unlimited 60-minute rides from BIKETOWN. Rides must start or end along the Sunday Parkways route to be eligible. Please remember to lock the bike before 60 minutes expire and return to the service area to avoid additional fees. Visit the BIKETOWN booth at N Lombard & Charleston to learn more.

Bookmark the Sunday Parkways public Google map for information on the event route, activation areas, designated crossings for vehicles, TriMet detours, and more.

Traffic impacts during Sunday Parkways

Parking on streets along the North Portland Sunday Parkways route is forbidden on the day of the event. "No Parking" signs will be posted in advance. Vehicles left on the route will receive an $85 citation for violating the temporary no parking zone and will be towed beginning at 6 a.m. on Sunday. Vehicle towing and storage fees can be foundhere.

During the event, streets along the route will be closed to motorized traffic from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. with limited local access to homes or businesses on the route. It is best to avoid driving in the area to avoid delays. Intersections will have temporary barricades set up with volunteers available to help people who are driving through to get where they need to go.

The route features designated crossings for motorized vehicles to allow safe passage through the area. Vehicle traffic is permitted to cross northbound and southbound at N Portsmouth Ave, N Richmond Ave, N Dwight Ave, and N St Louis Ave. Vehicle traffic is permitted to cross eastbound and westbound at North Lombard Street and North Ivanhoe St, N Fessenden St, N Smith St, and N Willis Blvd. Access to Cathedral Park and boat ramp is available via North Edison Street.

As part of Sunday Parkways partnership with TriMet, bus detours will be in effectonly on Sunday, August 2, starting from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. The following bus lines include a re-route to help riders navigate around the event:

• Line4- StJohns/Portland City Center
• Line 16 - Front Avenue/St. Helens Road
• Line 35- Capitol Highway
• Line 44- Macadam/ Greeley
• Line 75- Cesar Chavez/Lombard

People riding public transit should visit trimet.org/home/alerts for more details and updates on service impacts.

Free family-friendly activities

Sunday Parkways provides something for the whole family! The four featured activation areas along the route will offer a variety of free family-friendly activities and live entertainment, including:

• Visit theMultnomah County St.Johns Library along the route on Charleston Ave. and view the recently completed renovations, say hello to staff, and grab some goodies from noon to 3:00 pm.
• Learn about the new Portland Clean Energy Community Benefits Fund (PCEF) E-bike Rebate program,Portland Rides. Experience firsthand the joy of e-bikes by testing out a standard or cargo e-bike in Downtown St. Johns.
• Experience interactive family-friendly circus activities fromCircus Cascadia, enjoy free face painting byRomonsta, and visitWonderwood Springs to meet goats and enjoy hands-on activities.
• Enjoy live music at St. Johns Plaza and McCoy Park fromFriends of Noise,St Johns Yacht Club,Flyover States,Aaron Nigel Smith, and more.
• Join the roller disco party with DJ Doc Rock spinning high-energy tracks and enjoy free roller skate rentals for all ages fromRose City Rollers and the Skatemobile.

Check out the Sunday Parkways website for full entertainment and programming details.

Stay connected all season long

Subscribe to the Sunday Parkways e-newsletter and follow us on Facebook and Instagram at @PortlandSundayParkways to stay up to date. For North event updates and day-of reminders delivered straight to your phone, text "North" to888-520-0526.Standard text message rates may apply. Opt-out anytime by texting "STOP".

Contact Portland Sunday Parkways team

Email:[email protected]
Call:311 / 503-823-4000
Visit PBOT's Sunday Parkways website

About Sunday Parkways

Portland Sunday Parkways Presented by Kaiser Permanente, is a Portland Bureau of Transportation program that promotes healthy active living through a series of free events opening the city's largest public space - its streets - to walk, bike, roll, and connect with community. For more information, visit PortlandSundayParkways.org or call 311 / 503-823-4000.

About Kaiser Permanente

Kaiser Permanente is committed to helping shape the future of health care. We are recognized as one of America's leading health care providers and not-for-profit health plans. Founded in 1945, Kaiser Permanente has a mission to provide high-quality, affordable health care services and to improve the health of our members and the communities we serve. We currently serve 12.6 million members in 9 states and the District of Columbia. Care for members and patients is focused on their total health and guided by their personal Permanente Medical Group physicians, specialists, and team of caregivers. Our expert and caring medical teams are empowered and supported by industry-leading technology advances and tools for health promotion, disease prevention, state-of-the-art care delivery, and world-class chronic disease management. Kaiser Permanente is dedicated to care innovations, clinical research, health education, and the support of community health. For more information, go to about.kp.org.

About Portland Clean Energy Community Benefits Fund (PCEF)

The Portland Clean Energy Community Benefits Fund (PCEF) initiative was passed by 65% of Portland voters in November 2018. It provides a consistent, long-term funding source and oversight structure to ensure that our community's climate action efforts are implemented to support social, economic, and environmental benefits for all Portlanders, particularly communities who have been historically under-resourced. The initiative was supported by a broad coalition of groups and individuals and represents the first environmental initiative in Oregon led by communities on the frontlines of climate change. Visit the PCEF website for details.

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The Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT) is a community partner in shaping a livable city. We plan, build, manage and maintain an effective and safe transportation system that provides people and businesses access and mobility.