Anyone who has ridden a bike or driven along Highway 30 knows that Portland is home to a large industrial area comprised of small and large manufacturers. This area suffers from significant pollution issues and has little green “infrastructure”. This means, there are few trees or greenspaces that can help mitigate the impacts of pollution which has a direct impact on the health of Forest Park.
The Forest Park Conservancy has teamed up with students at Portland State University’s Masters of Urban and Regional Planning program to explore options for making the industrial neighborhood a healthier, greener area. The goal of the project is to identify strategies to install green infrastructure in the Northwest Industrial Area to address existing and emerging impacts on the environment and human health.
Students are meeting with business, non-profit and community leaders to explore possible pilot projects such as planting street trees or installing eco-roofs.
As Stefan Heisler, one of the PSU students involved in the project said, “this is a great project that could have a big impact on Portland’s environment in the coming years. We are learning a lot about bringing together businesses and non-profits to make an industrial area healthier.”
FPC is proud to be working with PSU students as well as Portland’s Bureau of Environmental Services on this project. This is just one part of our 20-year strategy to restore and protect Forest Park through our Greater Forest Park Conservation Initiative.
Check out Pamplin Media Group’s coverage of this ground-breaking project!