Portland Parks & Recreation has taken another step toward developing a new park in the Slabtown neighborhood by starting the planning process for a vacant lot in Northwest Portland. The project requires environmental cleanup before construction can begin and will include community engagement as planning moves forward.
Key Takeaways
- Portland Parks & Recreation has submitted a planning request for the Slabtown park project.
- The future park site is located at Northwest 20th Avenue and Northwest Pettygrove Street.
- Environmental remediation must be completed before construction can begin.
- Community engagement for the project is expected to begin this fall.
- The city acquired the property through a land donation in 2025.
Portland Parks & Recreation has moved the Slabtown park project into its next planning phase by submitting a request for a zoning and informational meeting for a future neighborhood park in Northwest Portland. The proposal advances a long-planned project for a vacant parcel that must undergo environmental remediation before any park construction can begin.
City records show the proposed park site is located at the intersection of Northwest 20th Avenue and Northwest Pettygrove Street. Preliminary plans indicate the space could include landscaped areas, planting beds and a possible playground, although the final design will be shaped through future planning and community engagement.
The planning request represents the latest step in preparing the site for redevelopment after the City of Portland took ownership of the property through a land donation.
What Happened With the Slabtown Park Project?
Portland Parks & Recreation has formally initiated the planning process by filing an application for a zoning and informational meeting related to the future park. The request allows city staff to begin reviewing project requirements before construction planning advances further.
According to the project application, the proposed park would transform a gravel-covered vacant parcel into a public neighborhood space designed for recreation and landscaping.
Portland Parks & Recreation also plans to begin sharing additional information with residents. The bureau has indicated that signs identifying the future park will be installed along the property’s perimeter fence in the coming weeks.
A project webpage is also expected to be launched to provide updates as planning progresses and public participation begins.
Where Will the New Slabtown Park Be Located?
The future park site occupies a vacant parcel at Northwest 20th Avenue and Northwest Pettygrove Street in Portland’s Slabtown neighborhood.
The property currently remains undeveloped and enclosed by fencing. Before it can become a public park, the site must be prepared through environmental remediation and additional planning work.
Current concept plans referenced in city records include landscaped open space, plant beds and the possibility of a playground. Specific features have not been finalized and will be evaluated during the planning process.
The park is intended to provide additional public open space within the growing Slabtown neighborhood, where residential development has expanded in recent years. The project also follows other recent efforts to expand recreational access, including the city’s first downtown off-leash dog park.
Why Does the Site Require Environmental Cleanup?
The proposed park will be developed on land that is subject to oversight related to environmental remediation.
What officials said about site conditions
Project documents state that soil testing completed during the previous year identified site conditions that could affect future construction activities. As a result, environmental cleanup work must take place before development of the park can proceed.
The property is identified as a remediation site under the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality process. Cleanup activities are required to ensure the land is suitable for its planned public use.
City officials have indicated that ownership of the property allows Portland to begin addressing the environmental work needed before construction planning advances.
The environmental remediation schedule has not yet been announced, and construction timelines have not been released.
How Did Portland Acquire the Park Property?
Portland Parks & Recreation acquired the property through a land donation completed in August 2025.
The parcel was donated by Guardian Real Estate Services after the company developed the western portion of a larger property into the Slabtown Square residential project.
Guardian had purchased the two-block property from Con-Way Properties in 2015. Plans for the redevelopment included constructing housing on one portion of the site while reserving the eastern section for a future public park through a donation to the City of Portland.
With ownership transferred to Portland Parks & Recreation, the city became responsible for advancing environmental remediation and future park development. The acquisition comes as the city continues examining ways to strengthen public green spaces, including proposals for private support for Portland parks.
The donation completed an arrangement that had been anticipated during the area’s redevelopment planning and created the opportunity for the city to move forward with designing a neighborhood park.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where will the new Slabtown park be built?
The proposed park will be located on a vacant parcel at Northwest 20th Avenue and Northwest Pettygrove Street in Portland’s Slabtown neighborhood.
Why does the Slabtown park site need environmental cleanup?
Soil testing identified site conditions that require environmental remediation before construction can safely proceed.
What amenities are planned for the new park?
Preliminary plans include landscaped areas, planting beds and the possibility of a playground. The final design will be determined during the planning process.
When could construction of the Slabtown park start?
The city has not announced a construction timeline. Environmental remediation and planning approvals must be completed before construction can begin.
