October 2025 News: Get a Plaza in your Neighborhood, Host a Halloween Block Party, and Tons More!

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October 7, 2025 1:37 pm

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As Seasons Shift, PBOT Celebrates a Summer of Vibrant Streets

This year, PBOT and our community partners have brought people together through 172 permitted community events, 842 neighborhood block parties, 23 play streets, and over 230 plaza gatherings across Portland. As we look back on a summer season full of connection, creativity, and celebration, we're also looking ahead. Planning is already underway for the 2026 season with our Plaza Partner Open Call and more opportunities for neighbors to reimagine and activate their streets. And the fun isn't over yet! With fall in full swing, there are still plenty of ways to bring your community together this spooky season and the holiday season ahead.

Bring a Plaza to your Neighborhood: The Open Call for Plaza Partners is Live!

Concordia Commons. Photo courtesy of Kepper Petzig.

Are you an organization wanting to steward a plaza in your community? PBOT's Open Call for Plaza Partners is happening this fall! From now until December 1st, nonprofit groups, neighborhood associations, business districts, schools, or businesses with community buy-in are invited to propose and steward seasonal plaza spaces that will debut in summer 2026.

Learn more and get ready to apply and join our virtual info session on October 22nd from 6:00 to 7:00 PM.

Note: If you are an individual interested in placemaking opportunities please read about other options available to you including community events, block parties, street paintings, and reserving plazas for events.

Apply to Be a Plaza Partner

From Pilot to Permanence: Public Street Plazas Earn City Council Support

As we launch the Open Call for Plaza Partners, we're excited to share a major milestone for the program:as of today, October 1st, the Public Street Plaza Program has officially transitioned from a pilot to a permanent city program, following a unanimous vote by City Councillors.

This decision marks a significant step in the City of Portland's long-term commitment to integrating the public street plaza model into city infrastructure, transforming our streets into hubs of community life and local business activity.

Alex Murrell, Executive Director of Dream Big City and Champoin of Portland Dream Plaza.

At the Council session, PBOT was joined by current plaza partners who spoke to the meaningful impacts these spaces have had in their neighborhoods, including Alex Murrell, Executive Director of Dream Big City.

"PBOT has a team of people that are amazing. I've worked with probably 8 to 10 people in PBOT, and they've been creative ... they've just really saw the vision of making Portland a special place."

Murrell continued in his testimony:

"We're now months into it. We activated it. We had support with Central Eastside Industrial Council. I built a team of people. We probably had 100 volunteers. We turned a block once avoided for drugs and guns into a safe hub, now drawing 200 to 800 people daily ... The businesses come and just are so excited to just bring love to the area, and we're able to bring safety."

In his closing remarks, Murrell emphasized:

"By voting to adopt the PBOT Public Street Plaza Program, you'll keep Portland at the forefront of creative, community-led public spaces."

Want to learn more? You can watch the presentation at the previous Transportation and Infrastructure Committee below!

Sarah Figliozzi, Public Realm and Street Activation Supervisor, was among the presenters who spoke to city councilors last month.

Watch Now

A New Neighborhood Nexus: Roseway Plaza Celebrates its Grand Opening

Editorial by Chris Hansen

On Saturday, September 6, Portland celebrated its newest plaza with a grand opening celebration. The Roseway Plaza is uniquely centered in a residential area rather than a commercial corridor. This neighborhood nexus is a gathering place for friends, families, and kids to enjoy a car-free space and Roseway Parkway. The plaza is an example of an outstanding partnership between the Portland Bureau of Transportation and the Roseway Neighborhood Association. The neighborhood association planned the major design elements and cares for the plaza while PBOT provided many of the plaza's amenities.

City Councilor Angelita Morillo, Deputy City Administrator Priya Dhanapal, and Roseway children cut the ribbon at Roseway Plaza

The Roseway Plaza celebration included free food, drink, and entertainment. City officials walked and danced around the street mural with neighbors, spoke about their support of community spaces, and helped cut the ribbon that marked the official opening of the plaza to the community.

President of the Roseway Neighborhood Association Chris Hansen said, "The plaza is a central gathering space for the neighborhood. Neighbors come here to share a lunch, children ride their bikes and shoot hoops, and we use the space to gather for community events. We thank PBOT for making these spaces possible."

Treats on the Streets! Host a Block Party this Halloween!

This Halloween, make your street the safest and spookiest place to be. With a free and easy PBOT Block Party Permit, you and your neighbors can close the street to cars and open it up for community fun. Want car-free trick-or-treating, potlucks, games, jack-o-lantern carving, or a Día de los Muertos celebration? There are countless possibilities for block parties to bring neighbors together and make streets safer.

Learn More and Apply!

From Passageway to Performance Hall: Music Echoes Through Rocky Butte Tunnel

Editorial by Graham Houser with introduction by Tyler Smith

A few months ago, Portland in the Streets received a truly unique request from the Rocky Butte Preservation Society: a permit to close the Rocky Butte tunnel for a community-led music performance. It had never been done before. Could it work? With creativity and collaboration, our team partnered with the society to make their vision a reality and transformed the tunnel into a stage for neighbors to gather, listen, and celebrate together.

Graham Houser opens the concert with banjo playing and historical references to the masonry craftwork. Photo credit: Keri Friedman

"This was a very special event, a very intimate concert inside the Rocky Butte tunnel. The acoustics of the tunnel provided a memorable community experience and brought a vast number of neighbors and residents together. PBOT permitted that the street be closed to vehicles so everyone could safely walk, bike and picnic in this architectural wonder"

-Graham Houser, President of Rocky Butte Preservation Society

The first annual Rocky Butte Tunnel Concert was a collaboration between the Rocky Butte Preservation Society, The Friends of Rocky Butte, and the Madison South Neighborhood Association. The idea originated among neighbors who love to hear "Alex, the guy who plays his saxophone in the tunnel". Being a giant macaroni-noodle shaped tunnel carved into an extinct volcano, this architectural structure is simultaneously an amazing acoustic structure that amplifies his melodies across the whole neighborhood.

Alex, the "guy who plays saxophone in the Rocky Butte tunnel" plays for the crowd. Usually neighbors only drive past him or hear him from a distance. Photo credit: Keri Friedman

A date was set for September 20th and a variety of other musicians and instruments joined to fill the space with sound. A significant number of community members trekked up the butte to gather in this unique landmark, absent of cars. The general vibe of the event was a simple potluck block party, but instead of picnic tables and grass lawns there were masonry walls and concrete curbs, all of which were recently swept and sprayed clean by volunteers the week prior. Families, kids, dogs and cyclists came together to enjoy the party.

The Rocky Butte Tunnel Concert was absolutely magical. At its busiest, I think there were nearly 300 people! Lots of locals, but also some folks came from as far as Corvallis! I chatted with a guy on my way out who moved to Portland in the 70s and explored the Butte in his early days here. He ended up settling on the west side and hadn't been back to the Butte in decades until last night."

-Keri Friedman, Rocky Butte Farmer's Market Board Member

The mission of the Rocky Butte Preservation Society and the Friends of Rocky Butte is to create safe public access to the natural wonders and historical features of the butte. It was a local celebration to promote local preservation! You can learn more at rockybuttepreservationsociety.organd friendsofrockybutte.org

Upcoming Events on Portland's Streets

Here is what's on our radar for the month. New events from our partners are also regularly re-posted on the PBOT Instagram page.

Need help finding a PBOT Street Plaza? Check out the Plaza Directory!

Thursday, October 2

• First Thursdays on NW 13th: 5:00 PM - 9:00 PM. The First Thursday Street Gallery is April to October, on the first Thursday of each month. City blocks are closed off in NW Portland on 13^th street between Hoyt and Kearney. Hosted by the Urban Art Network.

Saturday, October 4

• The Arts and Crafts Kaleidoscope Vendor/Community Appreciation Celebration at Arleta Triangle Square: 11:00 AM - 6:00 PM. The Arts and crafts Kaleidoscope will be hosting a day of music, food, and drinks to say thank you to all that have participated in bringing the monthly market to life. Whether you are a vendor, musician, community partner, patron or neighbor, you are invited!

Sunday, October 5

• Portland Marathon: 7:00 AM - 5:00 PM. This incredible annual event includes a full marathon, half marathon, and a 10K, with courses that span across Portland. The start and finish line is located at Portland's Waterfront Park, located at SE Naito Parkway and SE Salmon. Learn more.

Sunday, October 19

• Playworks Play Streets on SE 79th Ave between Stark and Pine:10:00 AM - 12:00 PM. The national nonprofit Playworksis partnering with PBOT to present a car-free play space in the Montavilla neighborhood. Kids of all ages, families, and neighbors are all welcome.

Saturday, October 25

• Halloween Walk: 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM. Join in this annual holiday fun hosted by the St. Johns Boosters. This event closes Lombard Street to ensure kids can safely trick-or-treat in historic downtown St. Johns. This is a free, family-friendly event where all are welcome! Located at N Lombard Street. Learn more.
• Spooktacular: 4:00 PM - 7:00 PM. Hosted at the Sellwood Community House, this event includes carnival games, food, crafts, and more! Bring the whole family for some wholesome holiday fun. Please note that tickets are required. Located at SE Spokane and SE 15th. Learn more.

How Can I Host Events?

PBOT provides many ways to host events on city streets, depending on their size and nature.

Block Parties: A fun and easy way to build community and get to know your neighbors. With this free permit, you can host a small block party on your neighborhood street!

Plaza Reservations: The Small Plaza Activation Process is intended to remove barriers for small-scale (less than 100 people) neighborhood-based activities that build social and community connections in PBOT plazas. Permits under Small Plaza Activation are 100% free.

Larger Community Events: Looking to throw something larger? Apply for a Community Event with Portland in the Streets!

Play Streets:If you are a part of a nonprofit, neighborhood association, or business association, and would like to host a Play Street series in Summer 2026, reach out to [email protected] and we'll be happy to talk.

Where can you find PBOT's Street Plazas?

PBOT has numerous active plazas that are ready for you, your friends, and family to enjoy. They are great places to grab a bite to eat, relax, enjoy live music, meet up with friends, and so much more. Check out our directory to find out about plazas near you!

What is the Public Realm and Street Activation Team?

PBOT's Public Realm and Street Activation team (PRSA) oversees programs that transform streets into inclusive community spaces. From the Public Street Plaza Program, which turns streets into plazas for markets, performances, and gathering, to Portland in the Streets, which supports block parties, street murals, banners, and more, the team helps Portlanders activate the right-of-way in ways that build connection, culture, and public life.

Learn more about Plazas

Learn more about Portland in the Streets

Contact Us

Feedback, suggestions, partnerships, photos, or event ideas? We'd love to hear from you! Email us at [email protected]

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