Portland Walks and Urban Hikes

"The Settling of the West," 1936, by Edward Quigley, one of several WPA murals inside Portland's Irvington School

Below the latest post you'll find a list of the walks I'm leading and talks I'm giving in 2011.



Monday, August 29, 2011

A Jolly Good Sidewalk

Until around 1904, most Portland sidewalks were wood. In that year, a city ordinance declared no wooden sidewalks

"shall be built or constructed hereafter upon any street (in Portland in certain districts); [it is] the duty of the property owners to construct sidewalks of artificial stone, vitrified or repressed paving brick or asphalt.”
So one era ended and in this decade,
most of our “artificial stone” sidewalks are turning the century mark.





One Portlander couldn’t let the moment pass unnoticed when her sidewalk, in historic South Portland, turned 100 this year. Katie Urey, a GIS professional and board member of the Willamette Pedestrian Coalition, threw her sidewalk a party in August and I was delighted to have been invited.





Katie lured in pedestrians with neighborhood stories like that of boys at a South Portland
orphanage who ran away to find the place where the sun sets.


Around the corner, a display of old news articles brought the stories back to life.





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Talks and Walks in Portland and Beyond

In 2012 I'm doing a lot fewer walks or talks...here is what's lined up so far:

Multnomah Athletic Club: I lead 2 walks each month, generally on Tuesday mornings and some on Sunday afternoons for families, all the Walking and Hiking Committee. If you're a member or have a friend who is, join us! Contact MAC for specifics.

Forest Park Conservancy: I'll be leading three walks: May 31, June 28, July 12. The walks explore my favorite thing: the seams between neighborhood and wilderness. Check its website for details. Those are free if you're a member and they charge a small fee ($5 or $10) if you're not.

City of Portland Ten Toe Express. I'm leading two walks in SE Portland--great old homes will be featured and quiet streets. See the City's website for the full 2012 Ten Toe schedule. These are fun walks with lots of interesting people and sights. Free

Lloyd TMA (Transportation Management Authority): I'll lead two free walks during the Lloyd TMA's Walk Week in July: July 12: Hidden Corners of Northwest Lloyd and July 27: Irvington Historic Homes. Both are noontime walks. See http://www.lloydtma.org/ for info.

Climb for Cats: a fundraiser for the Feral Cat Coalition. Fee charged, to benefit spay/neuter work.