Skip to Content
Streetsblog New York City home
Streetsblog New York City home
Log In
Parks

Streetfilms: Portland’s Pioneer Courthouse Square

4:04 PM EDT on July 10, 2008

According to the Project for Public Spaces (PPS), Portland, Oregon's Pioneer Courthouse Square
is one of the Top 10 greatest public spaces in the U.S. & Canada. I
couldn't agree more. Affectionately referred to as the city's "living
room" the charming and versatile block was once slated to be a parking garage in the 1960s. Thankfully the residents didn't let that happen.

Recently while grabbing lunch in Portland, I wandered into the
"Festival of Flowers" - a beautiful urban meadow installation that was
so pleasant and comforting, I just had to shoot some video. Ethan Kent
from PPS has often said to me that the key to the success of Pioneer
Courthouse Square (and many public spaces) is its amazingly diverse
programming. He's right, I've been to Portland a dozen times and there
always seems to be something wonderful going on there.

Clarence Eckerson Jr.
Clarence Eckerson Jr. is the Director of Video Production for NYCSR's StreetFilms and producer of bikeTV. He loves the color purple, chocolate chip cookies, and enjoys walking, biking, and taking transit. He has never owned a driver's license.

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from Streetsblog New York City

bus lanes

City Considers Fixes for Another Ridiculously Slow Cross-Bronx Bus

Potential bus improvements are on the table for the Bronx's Tremont Avenue, but the Adams administration's failures on nearby Fordham Road loom large.

May 6, 2024
Public Space

DOT Unveils First Step for Park Row Redesign

The city hopes to make Park Row more appealing to residents and visitors. But the real work is years off.

May 6, 2024
Today's Headlines

Monday’s Headlines: East New York’s New Bikes Lanes Reduced Crashes Edition

Initial results show East New York's protected bike lanes made Cozine and Wortman avenues safer. Plus more news.

May 6, 2024
Congestion Pricing

Stockholm Leader’s Message to NYC: ‘Congestion Pricing Just Works’

"In Stockholm, people really thought that congestion pricing would be the end of the world, the city will come to a standstill, no one would be able to get to work anymore and all the theaters and shops would just go bankrupt. None of that happened."

May 3, 2024
Today's Headlines

Friday’s Headlines: Trump Trial Trumps Safety Edition

Is anyone going to bother to fix the dangerous mess on the streets and plazas around the Trump trial? Plus more news.

May 3, 2024
See all posts