Several Overlook Neighborhood residents have shared concerns about the future of the Dog Bowl with the OKNA board in light of a draft city proposal to use the area for off-road bicycle trails. You can read the full draft report online. The draft report would recommend closing existing trails, habitat restoration and installing a loop trail for bikes.
The opportunity to comment in writing on the proposal – either for or against – ends Friday at 1 p.m. Submit written testimony (five pages or less) to the Parks Board by emailing it to Hailee.Vandiver@portlandoregon.gov. The Parks Board will consider written comments before making recommendations on the draft plan. The written comments also will be shared with the Bureau of Planning and Sustainability, which is responsible for making revisions to the report.
Individuals also may try to testify at the Parks Board meeting on April 3, 3-5 p.m. at 1900 SW 4th Ave., 7th Floor, Conference Room 7A. Speaking slots are very limited, though, so the best opportunity is written testimony.
Effective written testimony will express how the proposal affects users, not simply express support or opposition without clear reasons.
The OKNA board will discuss this matter briefly at the neighborhood general meeting tonight. The meeting begins at 6:30 at the Kaiser Town Hall on N Interstate. We will decide whether to submit written testimony and have the chair attend the Parks Board meeting to try and testify in person.
The City Council will have final say over the plan and individual projects, so residents will have another chance to influence the decision in a few months. OKNA will keep you informed.