Master Plan Aims to Reduce Car Trips in Portland's Washington Park

The city of Portland recently approved the Washington Park Master Plan, which addresses the long-term sustainability of the 481-acre park located just west of Downtown and the Pearl District in Portland's central city. According to the city website set up to detail the planning process, "the Washington Park Master Plan Update focuses on three major areas of improvement for the long-term sustainability of the 481-acre park: create identity, improve access, and enhance the visitor experience."

Jonathan Maus writes in support of the plan a few days after the Portland City Council adopted the master plan update, voicing support for the plan's transportation. Maus summarizes the transportation elements of the master plan as follows: "[to] keep cars on the periphery, reduce access for drivers, aggressively encourage transit use, create plaza and green spaces, and build protected paths for cycling and walking." The article includes more details about how the plan intends to attain that vision.

An article by Sam McCaffrey provides additional insight into the plan.