Overlook Neighborhood Update (April 6) – Overlook Neighborhood Association

1) Community-building grants available

The Overlook Neighborhood Association will oversee grant-selection in the neighborhood for the North Portland Trust Fund. NPTF grants are for community placemaking projects. OKNA may award up to $2,5000 for projects that primarily serve the Overlook community.

A City Resolution passed in 1989 established the NPTF to capture a portion of revenue collected by the Portland International Raceway (PIR) at events requiring a noise variance. North Portland Neighborhood Services (NPNS) administers the community enhancement grant program. The return of IndyCar to PIR in 2018 brought the first major contribution from promoter Green Savoree in over a decade.

The deadline to apply for a grant is 2 p.m. on May 15. Learn more about the NPTF grants and how to apply online.

Applicants also are encouraged to attend an upcoming grant application workshop at the Historic Kenton Firehouse on Sunday, April 13, 10:30-noon or Monday, April 22, 7-8:30 p.m.

2) Serve on OKNA’s grants selection committee

Overlook’s grant review committee is still recruiting members. If you’d like to help select which community-building projects get funded in our neighborhood, send an email expressing your interest to chair@overlookneighborhood.org. If you’ve already applied, no need to do so again.

3) Keep North Portland green

Members of the Overlook and Arbor Lodge neighborhood associations are working together to organize North Portland residents to improve the environment for everyone. They will hold their kick-off meeting on Thursday, April 25 at 6:30 upstairs at the Historic Kenton Firehouse (8105 N Brandon Ave.). All are invited to attend to join with their neighbors in planning, identifying, and organizing priorities and activities to support the environment.

Some of the things the group is already working on include creating a pocket park, a trail and a neighborhood gateway on vacant city-owned land in three different neighborhoods, removing invasive trees and keeping neighborhood parks pesticide-free.

The group’s mission is to support North Portland residents and businesses to create a healthy place to live, work and play through activities to improve our air, water, climate and land.

Examples include:

Air – cutting diesel emissions, cutting VOC emissions, distribution of Purple Air and other air monitors,
Water – advocating for best action on the SuperFund site,
Land – working to save large trees and supporting tree teams and Pesticide Free Arbor Lodge Park,
Climate Change – all of the above and more.

4) Apply for the Multnomah Youth Commission

The Multnomah Youth Commission, the official youth policy body for both Multnomah County and the City of Portland, is a group of young people, ages 13-21, that strives to provide a voice for youth in the county’s and city’s work.

Multnomah County describes the commission, “Housed within the Multnomah County Chair’s Office of Diversity and Equity and the City of Portland’s Office of Neighborhood Involvement, the MYC works to change policy affecting young people, as well as negative community perception about youth.”

The commission is accepting applications for the 2019-20 cohort until April 22. For more information about how to apply and get involved, email multnomahyouth@gmail.com or by text/call 971-803-2559.

5) PedPDX view and review party

PedPDX is Portland’s citywide pedestrian plan. It establishes a priority pedestrian network based on equity (race and income), safety (crash and crash risk factors) and demand (neighborhood centers and corridors). It also proposes new strategies and policies to advantage Portland pedestrians. This work is the result of public collaboration since early 2017. PedPDX could leverage resources for significant pedestrian safety and access where it’s needed the most.

The Portland Bureau of Transportation is gathering additional public feedback to enhance the PedPDX plan before bringing it to city council in June. Join your North Portland neighbors on Tuesday, April 9, 6-7:30 p.m. at the Historic Kenton Firehouse (8105 N Brandon Ave.) to watch short videos about PedPDX, learn the context and content of the plan, enjoy some delicious local food, and contribute survey responses to leverage your voice, needs and opinions.

All attendees will receive a free PedPDX flashlight carabiner.

6) Overlook House egg hunt

Mark your calendar so you don’t miss the fastest two minutes of egg hunting in Portland. The Overlook House’s annual Egg Hunt starts 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, April 20. Don’t be late. Neighborhood kids will race about the yard looking for eggs and treasure. Get your pictures taken with the Easter Bunny and enjoy seeing your neighbors and friends. The Overlook House is located at 3839 N Melrose Drive.

The fun happens rain or shine. Friends of Overlook House present the hunt free of charge for neighborhood children.