As Metro celebrates the “Intertwine”:

“The Intertwine” launches on streets across the Portland-Vancouver region

Metered parking spaces will become mini-parks,
complete with grass, trees, native wildlife and fun activities,
to celebrate the launch of The Intertwine (map attached)

Media note: The Intertwine will kick off its festivities at 10 a.m., Friday
Sept. 18 at 506 SW Washington Street, in front of the Hotel Monaco

The streets will be paved with green Friday, Sept. 18 as hundreds of groups come together in a flash mob-type effort to create parks in public parking spaces around the region. Celebrating parks and promoting the need for more of them is the goal of Park(ing) Day, a loosely organized event that began in 2005. People in cities from Portland to New York participate in this annual happening.

This year’s Park(ing) Day is the occasion for the unveiling of The Intertwine, a unifying name and brand for the Portland region’s network of parks, trails and natural areas. Whether you walk, hike, bike, bird, paddle or play – whatever you love to do and wherever you love to do it – if you’re doing it in the Portland-Vancouver area, you are already using The Intertwine. The Intertwine Alliance, a coalition of businesses, non-profits and public agencies have joined together to promote the The Intertwine and commit to linking trails, parks and natural areas with homes, jobs and schools to create one of the greatest parks networks in the world.

Mayors from throughout the region, including Gresham Mayor Shane Bemis, Lake Oswego Mayor Jack Hoffman and Forest Grove Mayor Richard Kidd will join Metro Council President David Bragdon and Portland City Commissioner Nick Fish to officially launch The Intertwine at 10 a.m. at a Park(ing) Day park at 506 SW Washington Street in Portland.

For more information about The Intertwine, including participating organizations, visit www.theintertwine.org

In Portland

Hotel Monaco — 506 SW Washington
Intertwine Partner: Trust for Public Lands
Contact: Daryn White 503-417-3359

Enjoy this park-for-a-day created by local dignitaries and Intertwine partners to highlight the variety and range of activities and experiences available in the region’s network of parks, trails and natural areas — The Intertwine.

Keen Footwear – Northwest 13th and Lovejoy
Intertwine Partners: Keen Footwear, Forest Park Conservancy
Contact: Chris Enlow 503-805-9962

Forest Park is the Intertwines’ signature attraction – a 5,000-acre forest that lies within the boundaries of our largest city. See what “old growth” ivy does to a forest. Find out how you can help the Forest Park Conservancy and their partners restore the life and health of our region’s largest nature park.

Bridgeport Brew Pub – Northwest 13th and Marshall Street
Intertwine Partner: Audubon Society of Portland
Contact: Bob Sallinger 503-292-6855

Say hello to Finnegan the falcon, Julio the owl or Jack Sparrowhawk — one of a handful of rescued birds used by the Audubon Society of Portland to educate and inspire people to love and protect nature. Find out more about the native wildlife that depend on The Intertwine for food, travel and shelter.

City Hall – Southwest 4th and Madison
Intertwine Partners: Portland Parks and Recreation, Bureau of Environmental Services

Want to get fit? Practice your yoga? Shoot some hoops? On Park(ing) Day you can sample the wide range of classes and activities offered by Portland Parks & Recreation throughout the year that help you explore and enjoy the Intertwine.

Across the street, Bureau of Environmental Services staff will showcase a “Green Street” to demonstrate how green development practices and sustainable storm water management helps protect and restore our local rivers and streams.

Green Works -NW 2nd and Couch
Intertwine Partner: Metro
Contact: Corie Harlan 503-797-1764

The Intertwines’ newest nature park will open next fall in Wilsonville. Come preview the trails, wetlands and wildlife that the public will see, hear and enjoy when they visit the Graham Oaks Nature Park — built for a day in downtown Portland by landscape architects, Green Works.

128 SW 3rd (in front of Stumptown Coffee)
Intertwine Partner: Friends of Trees
Pacific Northwest College Art (PNCA) – Northwest 13th and Johnson
Intertwine Partner: Urban Greenspaces Institute

See what two PNCA classes have designed to demonstrate the power of art in teaching about and connecting people with the environment.

In Beaverton

Beaverton City Hall – 4755 SW Griffith Drive
Intertwine Partner: City of Beaverton

(Saturday, Sept. 19 only)
Beaverton Farmers Market – corner of Hall and 4th Avenue
Intertwine Partner: Tualatin Hills Parks & Recreation District
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In Gresham

3rd & Main Street
Intertwine Partners: City of Gresham, Office of Mayor Shane Bemis

Join city staff and volunteers for a day on the green. Visitors can receive information about regional and local parks that are a part of The Intertwine. The Mayor will be stopping by around noon to have a picnic with those in attendance.

Rockwood Plaza Del Sol – 188th and Southeast Stark
Intertwine Partner: Gresham Parks and Recreation

Pick up a paint brush and help convert 13,000 square feet of parking lot in to the Plaza del Sol, a public space to be used by all. Food and refreshments will be provided to volunteers all day. At 2 p.m. enjoy a visit from Mayor Bemis and Metro Council President David Bragdon. Hear from them about Gresham and Metro’s 20-year mission of protecting and preserving the city’s signature buttes and significant natural areas – a key part of The Intertwine.

In Lake Oswego

A Avenue and 1st Street
Intertwine Partner: Lake Oswego Parks and Recreation

If you’re looking for the perfect picnic spot on Park(ing) Day, you’ll find what you need in this lush, green Park(ing) space located in beautiful downtown Lake Oswego. Bring the family. Enjoy games, entertainment and treats for your pets.

In Vancouver, WA

Wallis Engineering – 3rd & Main
Intertwine Partner: Vancouver-Clark Parks & Recreation

Enjoy a community barbeque. Learn more about connections to The Intertwine’s trails and pathways for walking, hiking and biking.

Mon Ami Coffee Shop – 19th & Main Street
Intertwine Partner: Community Choices and C-TRAN

Did you know that approximately 40 percent of the region’s driving trips are less than 3 miles? Take more of your trips on The Intertwine using alternative transportation – including transit, biking and walking. Learn more. Also includes demos and practice for taking your bike on the bus.

Angst Art Gallery – 10th and Main
Intertwine Partner: Vancouver-Clark Parks & Recreation

Clark County’s parks, trails, and natural areas are part of The Intertwine’s network of parks, trails and natural areas. Find out how you can enjoy The Intertwine here in Clark County and what partnerships are growing across the river.

Turtle Place – 7th & Main
Intertwine Partner: Vancouver Watersheds Council

Learn how partners are working together to engage the community to protect and enhance the local rivers and streams that contribute to the overall health of The Intertwine.