VBNA recently participated in a competition to design a park on a small abandoned lot in Portland.
The N. 17th & Portland Pocket Park would transform the vacant lots at 609 N. 17th Street and 1655 & 1657 Portland Avenue into a green and welcoming natural area with seating, a drinking fountain, and a natural play area planted with native trees and plants. N. 17th & Portland will provide a place of relief from the urban environment. Elements would include:
•A relaxing seating area
•A natural play area for neighborhood children
•A stormwater catchment system redirecting rainwater from the roof of the adjacent building (1651 Portland Avenue) from the city water system
•A public drinking fountain
•An educational element explaining the catchment system and benefits of stormwater remediation
•A piece of art highlighting the movement of water