City of Portland Newsletter | March 6, 2026
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Portland’s parks are the gems nestled in our neighborhoods. Pier Park (shown here) is perfect for a stroll or a game of disc golf. Find a park near you! You could even try your hand at shinrin-yoku, or forest bathing, where connecting to nature with all your senses could help reduce stress. |
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In 2025, Chad Kirkpatrick started volunteering again. He was surprised by how much that small decision changed his perspective.
At first, there’s not much to it. He signs up, shows up, and pitches in. But the longer he sticks with it, the more he seems to gain from the experience.
Mornings are familiar. Tanner Springs Park is already awake. The streetcar rolls by on Northwest 11th Avenue. A group of runners follows the boardwalk along 10th. An office worker hurries with coffee in one hand, a leashed dog in the other. Chad rakes leaves with other volunteers, spreading them in plant beds as mulch while taking in his surroundings.
A typical week includes more than a hundred interactions. Most begin with a simple “good morning” and that’s the end of it. But some greetings lead to longer conversations, or to something that lingers. Many people ask what Chad and his group are doing, how often they volunteer, and why the park matters so much to them.
Chad doesn’t have a speech. He speaks from the heart. From experience.
He starts to notice something about these conversations. They come from a place that feels real. It’s not chitchat. Not transactional. He’s not trying to sell or impress. He’s present, doing the work, and people are responding to the efforts of a few volunteers taking care of something that belongs to everyone. There are many thank-yous. Volunteering fills him with joy.
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The Portland Housing Bureau is launching a home sharing pilot program, offering grants to homeowners with spare rooms who rent them via a qualified home sharing provider. The provider connects prospective renters with homeowners who have available rooms. Eligible homeowners may receive $1,000 for the first room and $500 for each additional room from the City.
Last year City Council adopted a new incentive to promote the construction of 5,000 new housing units by suspending system development charges. Early results are encouraging. After five months, the incentive has attracted projects totaling 1,720 units, which is 34% of the goal.
The City is prepared to assess fines when a detention facility creates a public nuisance, activating City Council legislation designed to protect health and safety near the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility in South Portland.
In 2025, 39 people were killed in traffic crashes in Portland, a second consecutive year of declining deaths, marking a decisive return to pre-pandemic levels and a 38% decrease from the average of the previous four years. Deaths in East Portland fell even more significantly — by 56% — over the same period. For the first time since 2018, East Portland recorded fewer than 20 traffic deaths — 11 in total.
In the headlines
Mayor Wilson, Council President Dunphy welcome bipartisan legislative action advancing Moda Center modernization
City Auditor report
The City has committed to climate justice, but work remains to make climate actions more effective, according to a new audit from the City Auditor, titled “Climate Justice: Clear direction, strategies, and transparency needed to follow through on the City’s climate commitments.” The audit recommends City leadership provide clearer internal direction, develop strategies for climate adaptation and community engagement, and increase transparency to follow through on commitments.
Data spotlight
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| Crews have installed more than 7,000 feet – that’s 1.2 miles – of new, resilient pipeline for the Portland Water Bureau’s Bull Run filtration facility. Now under construction, the project is a transformative investment in our city’s future, designed to deliver safe, reliable drinking water for generations to come. When it’s finished, the facility will be able to filter up to 135 million gallons of water per day. The Oregon Land Use Board of Appeals recently reaffirmed the project’s land use permits, and the City is focused on finishing strong. The $2.56 billion facility and associated pipelines will protect public health and is our water system’s best defense against a changing climate. |
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Open to youth ages 11 through 14. Youth may attend alone or be accompanied by an adult (women-identifying, non-binary person comfortable in a space that centers on the experiences of girls or LGBTQIA2S+).
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You’re invited to enter the America 250 City Art Poster Contest—celebrating Portland’s history and culture alongside the United States’ 250th anniversary and the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Extended to April 5
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Be an exhibitor at Earth Day! We are looking for nonprofits, community organizations, government agencies, and other partners who want to share resources and spread the word about sustainable solutions. Sign up to be an exhibitor. Deadline: 5 p.m., March 20
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The Portland City Elections Community Education Contracts Program will provide funding to community-based organizations to assist with voter education in 2026. Attend a virtual info session March 5. Phase one applications due March 23.
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The Rental Services Office partners with community organizations and housing educators to offer free educational classes covering a variety of landlord-tenant law topics. Sessions available through June.
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New job openings at the City of Portland
New job openings
- Capital Project Manager II
- Deputy City Attorney – Construction Law
- Instrument Technician – Open Continuous
- Laboratory Analyst II-CL
- Recreation Leader – Arts (Visual) Resource Recovery Analyst (Analyst III)
How to Apply Session
Curious about working for the City of Portland, but not sure where to start? Come join us for an interactive webinar where we’ll walk you through the basics and share some helpful tips along the way.
Wednesday, March 25, 2026 from 12:00 PM – 1:30 PM (PST) To learn more and register for this session: https://www.portland.gov/bhr/events/2026/3/25/how-apply-session
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Grants and funding
EPAP’s Community Support Fund will sponsor activities that provide basic community needs, support essential services, and foster healthy community connections in East Portland. Approximately $15,000 total funding is available, and applicants can request up to $3,000 for projects that occur between May 1, 2026 and May 1, 2027.
Who’s Eligible: Everyone is welcome to apply; priority will be given to organizations lead by and serving communities historically underserved by the City of Portland.
Application Deadline: April 8, 2026 at 12:00 p.m
Prosper Portland provides funding to small businesses located in the City of Portland that have sustained physical and economic damage due to break-ins and vandalism. Grants assist eligible businesses to remain open and operational and contribute to maintaining a healthy street environment. Eligible entities may receive up to $25,000 over the life of the program for eligible repairs.
Who’s Eligible: Small businesses and nonprofit organizations occupying a ground-floor storefront
Application Deadline: Ongoing
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Give us your feedback
This project will encourage the development of needed housing types – including affordable housing, accessible housing, and units with more bedrooms – by simplifying and updating zoning incentives associated with producing these types of housing. Project staff have released initial zoning code change recommendations – also known as the Discussion Draft – for broad public feedback. The Discussion Draft is open for public comment until Monday, March 23.
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City of Portland’s Sustainability and Climate Commission is now accepting applications for youth commissioners. The Commission plays a critical role in advancing climate action across our city with a focus on environmental justice and keeping us accountable to our climate goals. Applications are currently open for 3 youth commissioners, and 1 youth alternate for one-year terms. This is an excellent opportunity to help inform, guide, and shape the City of Portland’s next climate action plan, and ensure youth voices lead the way to a sustainable future. The application deadline is March 23rd – don’t miss your chance to be a part of this important work!
Provide your comments on the draft application, scoring criteria, funding allocations, and eligibility requirements for the 2026 Community Grants cycle through March 10. The 2026 Community Grants cycle will award up to $60 million across five areas: energy efficiency and renewable energy, regenerative agriculture and green infrastructure, workforce and contractor development, transportation decarbonization, and other greenhouse gas-reducing projects.
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Serve on a board or committee
Join the Parks Levy Oversight Committee and advise Portland Parks & Recreation on adherence to Parks Levy language, fiscal accountability, transparency, and more. Application is open through March 16.
The Portland Committee for Community-Engaged Policing is composed of 13 community members who volunteer their time to advise the Mayor and the Portland Police Bureau; to independently assess the City of Portland’s Settlement Agreement with the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ); and to develop policies and assess the bureau’s community engagement efforts. This is a volunteer (non-paid) position. Continuous
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Portland City Council
Portland City Council will hold a Strategic Priorities Work Session on Saturday, March 7 from 8:30 am – 4:30 pm to identify and align on key priorities. City Administrator Raymond Lee will also participate.
These discussions will continue into the spring as development of the FY 2026–27 budget progresses.
Not sure what district you’re in?
Check our district map to find your district and your City Councilors.
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The City of Portland wants you to get home safely from your Saint Patrick’s Day celebrations. We are providing a limited number of coupons for discounted rides in a taxi, Uber, or Lyft to help you get home safe after celebrating.
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Featured events
Free events
March 13 – 18, Friday – Wednesday
Volunteer events
For Portland Parks & Recreation planting and park clean up volunteer event:
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| Request an accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) for any City of Portland program, service, event, or activity. To ensure the best response, please make your request at least five business days before the program or event, if possible.
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Your Portland moment
On Valentine’s Day, community members gathered to spread arborly love in the Hazelwood Neighborhood. With the help of over 60 volunteers, we planted 11 trees in Cherry Blossom Park. This increased the tree canopy coverage in the small neighborhood park by 40%.
City employees from Water, Environmental Services, and Transportation Bureaus also joined in on the fun. There were even special guest visits from Drippy the Water Drop.
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Traducción e Interpretación | Biên Dịch và Thông Dịch | अनुवादन तथा व्याख्या
口笔译服务 | Устный и письменный перевод | Turjumaad iyo Fasiraad
Письмовий і усний переклад | Traducere și interpretariat | Chiaku me
Awewen KapasTranslation and Interpretation: 3-1-1
The City of Portland ensures meaningful access and reasonably provides: translation, interpretation, modifications, accommodations, alternative formats, auxiliary aids and services. To request these services, call 311 for Relay Service or TTY: 711. |
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