After last summer’s successful Sunday Parkways event, there will be three events this year (release below).

And they’re hiring event coordinators:

Job Announcement – Sunday Parkways Short Term Volunteer Coordinators

The City of Portland Transportation Options is looking for 4 coordinators short term from May 14 to August 19 to help train and manage volunteers for our three summer Sunday Parkways events on June 21, July 19 and August 16. Volunteers will be stationed along a 7-8 mile Sunday Parkways routes at intersections directing traffic to detours and escorting cars to their driveways. We need self-starters, motivated people who have some experience working with volunteers and/or events. Must be able to ride your own or one of our bicycles to monitor volunteers along the route on the day of the event.
Hours 32 per week Tuesday through Fridays or 36-40 hours Wednesdays through Saturdays and/or Sundays on specific weeks.

Please send resume and cover letter to: Linda Ginenthal, Transportation Options, 1120 SW 5th Ave, Portland OR 97204 or email Linda.Ginenthal@pdxtrans.org by Friday, April 17, 2009, 4pm. $15.69 per hour, no benefits. Women and people of color strongly encouraged to apply. EEO employer. For more information about Sunday Parkways, www.GettingAroundPortland.org and click on Sunday Parkways.

Release:

(Portland, Oregon) – After a spectacular debut performance of Sunday Parkways in June 2008, Portland asked for more. And the City of Portland Bureau of Transportation and Kaiser Permanente are delivering three Sunday Parkways events this summer.

• June 21 in North Portland – 9 AM to 4 PM
• July 19 in Northeast Portland – 9 AM to 4 PM
• August 16 in Southeast Portland – 9 AM to 4 PM

See attached route maps.

Sunday Parkways is about connecting neighborhoods and people: walkers, runners, bikers, seniors, adults, and children enjoying neighborhood streets filled with surprises, performers, physical activities, and food – all in a car-free environment.

A remarkable 15,000 Portland area residents and 300 volunteers participated in last year’s first successful Sunday Parkways in the U.S. Modeled after Bogotá, Colombia’s Ciclovias held every Sunday on 70 miles of streets, Sunday Parkways generated a lot of support from North Portland neighbors and businesses.

After the first Sunday Parkways, largely supported by a grant from the Environmental Protection Agency, community partners stepped up to provide financial and in-kind donations and promotional support to bring Sunday Parkways back to Portland. Generous contributions from Kaiser Permanente, a Presenting Donor, METRO, and ORbike in addition to Mayor Adam’s dedication to the event are principally responsible for the ability of City Transportation staff to create this year’s events. See below for a list of all agency and business sponsors.

Mayor Adams committed PBOT after last year’s success to expand the event. “This event is so right for Portland. A community meeting on the streets, enjoying the best of what the city has to offer. Everyone should be able to enjoy their neighborhood in a car-free way.”

“Sunday Parkways is a result of many community partners working together to make Portland a healthier and more livable community,” said Nancy Stevens, Community Benefit Director, at Kaiser Permanente. “It’s like bringing your gym to the street in front of your house,” she continued.

Neighbors are all invited to celebrate Portland as America’s most walk- and bike-friendly city by walking, biking, skateboarding, running, and rolling on seven to nine miles of traffic-free streets connecting beautiful Portland parks. Come and enjoy the music, activities (such as hula hooping, yoga, kids’ circus), food, and more at one or all three Sunday Parkways this summer.

Mayor Sam Adams added, “Sunday Parkways is a great way to get Portlanders out enjoying their neighborhoods – I’m not sure these local streets have ever seen so many smiles. And that’s a fine definition of success.”

North Portland neighbor and mom Shannon Long said, “I LOVE Sunday Parkways! I had a great time last year, and I think it motivated my daughter to learn to ride a bike.” She is joining the 400 volunteers who will help PBOT monitor intersections at each Sunday Parkways so residents along the route can get in and out of their driveways safely.

All arterials will remain open to motor vehicle traffic including TriMet bus and MAX routes. Police and certified flaggers will be on hand to keep traffic moving and Sunday Parkways revelers safe along the routes.

For more information about Sunday Parkways, go to www.GettingAroundPortland.org and click on Sunday Parkways or call organizers at 503-823-5358.

Business and Agency Sponsors To Date
Presenting Donor: Kaiser Permanente
Major Sponsor: Metro, Drive Less, Save More
Promoter: Good Sport Promotion ORbike
Supporters: Bureau of Environmental Services, Northwest Health Foundation
Contributors: Bike Gallery, OnPoint Credit Union, Yakima
Friends: Clif Bar, Milagros, River City Bikes
Donors: Zipcar, LIFE Fellowship Evangelical Church, NW Natural, REI, Inc.

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