The SMILE Stewardship of Natural Amenities Committee (SNAC) invites you to
ATTEND A FAMILY-FRIENDLY PUBLIC FORUMÂ
about the Sellwood Gap in the Springwater Corridor Trail
7-8:30pm on Wednesday, March 12thÂ
at the SMILE Station (SE 13th Avenue and Tenino Street)
Hello neighbor! As you probably know, for the last couple of years many neighbors in Sellwood-Moreland have been engaged in a community-driven process to envision how new public lands surrounding the Sellwood Gap in the Springwater Corridor Trail could look once the trail gets paved between SE Umatilla and 13th. You’ve seen us at the farmer’s market and Sundae in the Park. You’ve talked to us at events on site and have come to design brainstorms at the SMILE Station.
Now’s your chance to attend the last in-person public forum during the public comment period which ends March 31st.Â
We want your feedback on the goals and values that have been identified for this project so they may be considered in the final design plans for these lands. Join us to learn more about this opportunity, share your opinions, and engage with the neighbors who have been working to ensure that these new public spaces become treasures in our neighborhood.
Restoring native habitat… preserving corridors for wildlife…creating community gathering spaces… ensuring public safety… incorporating edible plants… maintaining open spaces for recreation… recognizing the area’s historic attributes…Â What is important to you?
Tell us on Wednesday, March 12th, 7-8:30pm at the SMILE Station (SE 13th and Tenino). Hope to see you then!
Can’t make it to this forum?
THREE OTHER WAYS TO COMMENT BYÂ MARCH 31ST
- Complete the online survey
- Send a comment by e-mail:Â comments@sellwood.org
- Request a Survey by Mail by sending a self-addressed stamped business-sizedÂ
envelope to SMILE, ATT: Sellwood Gap Survey Request, 8210 SE 13th Avenue, Portland, Oregon 97202.
For more information see below or visit the SMILE website www.sellwood.org/the-
BACKGROUND:Â Â
The Springwater Corridor trail is a popular bicycle and pedestrian path that parallels the historic Springwater Line rail route from inner southeast Portland near OMSI all the way to Boring.  The “Sellwood Gap†refers to an incomplete section of the trail as it runs through the Sellwood-Moreland neighborhood.  The Sellwood Gap begins just south of the Sellwood Bridge at Umatilla Street and extends along the railroad tracks to SE 19th Avenue at Ochoco Street. Through voter-approved bond measures, Metro purchased six vacant parcels of land within the Sellwood Gap to enable the City of Portland to pave the trail from SE Umatilla Street to 13th Avenue. Portland Parks & Recreation (PP&R) will manage the trail and the Metro-owned lands under the terms of an Intergovernmental Agreement.Though construction of the trail is expected to begin in early 2014, neither the City nor Metro has plans for the use of the land adjacent to the trail once this gap is closed.Â
Residents of the Sellwood-Moreland neighborhood – acting through the neighborhood association’s Stewardship of Natural Amenities Committee (SNAC) – have initiated a community-driven process for deciding how these public lands could be enjoyed and maintained by neighbors and trail users in collaboration with PP&R.  In neighborhood meetings, proposed uses for the land have included restoring native landscapes, creating wildlife habitat, creating community gathering spaces, preserving passive open space, incorporating edible landscaping, and recognizing the area’s historic significance, among other values. While the group seeks public input on the emphasis for all six public land parcels, initial work will begin with a Demonstration Project on the triangular site located between SE Linn and Marion streets at 9th Avenue. Through a survey and two public meetings, SNAC’s Sellwood Gap Working Group and PP&R invite the broader community to provide input regarding priorities for the use of this land. The feedback provided will inform the group’s final design plan. The working group additionally seeks to identify people who are interested in helping to implement a community-driven vision for all of the public lands within the Sellwood Gap.