12 Great Things that Happened in Portland in 2025 (While You Were Busy Doomscrolling.)

What a year! So. Many. Things. So many, in fact, that some of them may have slipped past you while you were busy doomscrolling. That's OK. Good news doesn't always make headlines. So here's a quick rundown of 12 things that brightened the City's outlook in 2025.

Shelter From the Storm

Portland stood up capacity for 1500 overnight shelter beds so our unsheltered neighbors have a warm, safe, dignified place to sleep at night. People are more likely to escape homelessness when they sleep indoors; they're also less likely to die.

While doubters scoffed at Mayor Wilson's target, these beds provided more than 58,000 nights of rest for over 3,100 people from January through November, representing a chance to access services and break the cycle of homelessness. Those beds provided lifesaving shelter during severe winter weather in February.

With spare capacity, the beds also have allowed the City to start enforcing its camping ordinance, which bans camping on public property when there is reasonable alternative shelter available.

More Fun, More Green, More Parks

It was a good year for Portland's beloved parks and greenspaces. Voters approved a local option parks levy that will generate roughly $91 million per year to support capital projects and operations for Portland Parks & Recreation for five years. The levy will help maintain community centers, parks, pools, greenspaces, and more. Meanwhile, the City upgraded a trio of parks in East Portland. Parklane Park got a massive expansion, featuring a new skatepark, pavilion, community garden, tennis courts, basketball court, soccer fields, and more. Berrydale Park reopened after major improvements, including a brand-new playground, skateboarding area, and accessible pathways. Mill End Park now sports a new playground, splash pad, community garden, Chin Lone court, and more. And a new mapping project revealed that Portland's street trees have grown by 15% over the last decade.

Skaters Bring Jolt of Fun to Old Town

A scrappy band of Portland skaters turned a derelict parking lot into the vibrant Q-Side Skatepark, with a helping hand from the city's Public Environment Management Office (PEMO). Since its under-the-radar launch in June, the skaters have poured a massive quarter-pipe and added an impressive array of ramps, hills, and other features designed to appeal to skaters of all ages and abilities. Q-Side is taking shape in a gritty neighborhood that has long struggled with homelessness, drugs, and disorder. "Honestly, the skatepark is the best thing that's happened to that corner in years," says Robert Jungic, who runs a coffeeshop down the street.

Swimmers Dive into Willamette River

The Willamette River is making waves. Wild swimmers are diving into its sparkling waters from spots like Audrey McCall Beach, Poet's Beach, and the Kevin Duckworth Dock, thanks to nonprofit Human Access Project . In July, City Council called for Portland to join the Swimmable Cities Alliance. The stretch of the river that runs through Portland came off the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality's official "naughty list" this year, thanks to dozens of watershed restoration projects and the City's gargantuan Big Pipe, which together have dramatically improved water quality in the river after decades of work.

Public Safety Gets a Reboot

Portland has been at the forefront of a national movement to rethink public safety and emergency response. The City's Portland Street Response, which helps people in mental health crisis, added 14 positions, extended its hours, and even got its own number (503-823-7773 - save it in your phone!). The Portland Police Bureau adopted a new approach to street protests through Dialog Liaison Officers, who emphasize communication and support for first-amendment rights. The bureau's Behavioral Health Unit earned attention for the dedication of its officers. Portland Fire & Rescue's Community Health Assess and Treat (CHAT) team responded to thousands of non-urgent 911 calls, reducing unnecessary visits to the emergency room and freeing up fire and ambulance crews for life-threatening situations. From January through October, total shooting incidents were down 32% and homicides were down 37% compared to the same period in 2024. Meanwhile, average 911 wait time improved by 41% to 25 seconds.

Downtown is On the Rebound

After a rough couple of years, downtown Portland is bouncing back. The Rose Festival's Grand Floral Parade returned to its traditional home route, drawing thousands of cheering spectators. Nike renovated its signature location, the Flock Food Hall opened its doors, offering cuisine from around the globe, and the spectacular 7 Pillars mural brought a splash of color and inspiration to a once-troubled intersection. Overall foot traffic is up 5.6% over last year. The Downtown Portland Sunday Parkways welcomed thousands of people walking, riding, and rolling on car-free streets.

A New Look for PAM

The Portland Art Museum unveiled a dramatic transformation in November, ushering in a new era for the arts in Oregon. The spectacular 22,000 square-foot Mark Rothko Pavilion provides a breathtaking sense of arrival and celebrates one of Portland's most influential artists. Thousands of visitors descended on the museum to mark the occasion and explore its unique collections of art from around the globe.

Reunited, and It Feels So Good

Stacey was in rough shape. She was living in her car, thousands of miles from home, and had sustained a stroke, which made communication difficult. (She also had two beloved animal companions, Monster and Sneakers.) Workers with Portland Street Response told her about the City's new Homeless Reunification Program, which is designed to help homeless Portlanders reconnect with family or friends who can provide a loving environment. Thanks to some creative problem-solving, Stacey was able to get home safe and sound, along with her beloved companion Monster. (Read Helping Stacey Get Home to find out about Sneakers.) The reunification program helped more than 200 people reunite with families and loved ones in 2025.

Celebrating Our Immigrant Neighbors

In the teeth of the Trump administration's anti-immigrant policy, Portland's leaders doubled down on their conviction that immigrants bring strength, vitality, and diversity to our city. City Council unanimously adopted the Protect Portland Initiative, which reaffirmed our status as a Sanctuary City. The City hosted Welcoming Week to celebrate our immigrant and refugee communities.

"Portland is strong because of our diversity, our connections, and our commitment to inclusion and belonging," Mayor Keith Wilson said. "Building a city where every resident feels safe, valued, and supported requires partnership, leadership, and thoughtful policy. It is up to all of us -- community members, organizations, and government -- to work together to create spaces where everyone can thrive."

A Better 82nd Avenue

The Portland Bureau of Transportation made big progress on its multi-year initiative to Build a Better 82nd Avenue. Many of its accomplishments were centered near McDaniel High School. Improvements include smooth pavement, new accessible curb ramps, median islands with trees, and wider sidewalks with street trees. PBOT constructed 5,120 linear feet of sidewalks, completed six new pedestrian crossings, built one new traffic signal, paved 1.4 linear miles of roadway, planted 115 trees, upgraded 245 street lights, installed 54 new street light poles, and installed 53 sumps to improve drainage.

A Radical Overhaul for City Government

The City of Portland adopted a new form of government in 2025, revamping a system that was more than 100 years old. The new structure, overwhelmingly chosen by Portland voters, features a City Administrator, an expanded 12-member City Council, and ranked-choice voting.

In the first year, Council passed 194 pieces of legislation, including an $8.6 billion budget focused on delivering key services, curbing homelessness, supporting public safety, and keeping parks and community centers open.

Portland Pride Is Back (Thanks to Frogs)

Tension mounted at the ICE facility in September, after President Donald Trump called out the National Guard to stamp out protests in what he inaccurately termed a "war zone." While Gov. Tina Kotek and Mayor Wilson fought the order in court, federal agents guarding the facility stepped up aggressive tactics, using stun grenades, tear gas, and pepper balls against the mostly peaceful protesters. That's when Portland flexed its true strength. People showed up as frogs and chickens. They held Mad Hatter tea parties and did jazzercise. They played ukuleles and clarinets. They went roller-skating, crocheted scarves, held a roller disco, and an "emergency" naked bike ride that brought an a-bun-dance of cheeky cyclists to the protests, which remained overwhelmingly peaceful. In the end, a federal judge threw out Trump's order - and Portland's civic pride made an amphibious comeback.