2025 Year in Review

• Community Events: We saw the triumphant return of SW Sunday Parkways via our partnership with PBOT, a beautiful refresh of the Multnomah Mola Street Mural at 36th and Canby with support from many local businesses (Annie Bloom’s Books, ParrotDice Guitars, Multnomah Vision Clinic, Fat Kitty Ramen, Thinker Toys, Level Beer and John’s Marketplace), and a massive Garage Sale Day with 120 participating homes. 100% of the hosts who replied to our survey said the event should be offered next year.

• Equity Committee: Beyond participating in SWEC planning sessions (Multicultural Center, Community Gardens, and West Portland Town Center), the committee consulted on Stephens Creek Crossing Urban Farm and provided vital support to our immigrant neighbors by distributing red cards and whistle packets when requested.

• Friends of Spring Garden Park: A huge year for the park! We saw 228 volunteer hours logged across 21 events, hosted a Summer Free for All Movie in the Park in partnership with Parks & Recreation, the acquisition of a temporary winter restroom, and a celebratory nomination for former leader Lori Willis as a PGE Parks Champion.

  • We also welcomed new co-chairs, recruited new committee members, joined the Portland Parks Alliance, and invited neighbors to several summer family picnics.

• Livability: Partnered with SOLVE Oregon and Free Geek for clean-ups and recycling, and brought music to the neighborhood with First Friday Concerts at Village Park. Additionally, Village Park hosted Halloween 2025 (with a pet costume contest) and Whoville? holiday event.

  • On the art front, we installed the Coin Cottage Mural installation, hosted an Art in the Village Happy Hour and installed and re-dedicated the British Book Box. The Woodworkers Guild designed the Free Puzzle Library on Spring Garden Road—permanent installment coming May 2026!

  • Event Spotlight: In partnership with Metro’s Regional Refresh Grant, MNA put on a unique dumpster day style event where we identified retirement communities, immigrant communities, and low income housing and arranged to pick up bulky items—for free—that were creating unsafe and unsanitary conditions. Ida B. Wells High School Ski & Lacrosse teams transported the bulky items to U-Haul’s.

    • Project Statistics:

      • Underserved Households Supported: 30

      • Total Waste Disposed: 10,000 lbs (5 tons)

      • Mattresses: 15

      • Furniture: A full standard box truck

    • Key Findings: Many households, particularly underserved groups (elderly, low-income, or immigrant), face barriers to disposing of bulky items, including lack of funds for dump fees, access to vehicles, or physical assistance. Unaddressed, these barriers increase risks of safety/sanitation issues, potential eviction, and social isolation. By connecting with these households, MNA provided essential services while strengthening community bonds at a low cost through grassroots efforts.

• MNA Communications: We’re getting a digital makeover! With a new social media coordinator and web editors, we are refreshing the MNA website and amping up our presence on Facebook and Instagram.

• Public Safety: We kept our streets safe by advocating for Car-Free Trick-or-Treating using PBOT Block Party permits and partnered with West Hills Montessori and neighboring Hayhurst & Maplewood Neighborhood Associations and Portland Police for two Traffic Safety Events on the SW Vermont corridor.

• Community Advisory Committee: This committee is our 4 representatives to a Community Advisory Committee overseeing the Good Neighbor Agreement regarding the Multnomah Safe Rest Village (MSRV).

  • Continued to work for an effective Good Neighbor Agreement (GNA) in a year of increasing frustration at the ongoing disruption from adding 100+ MSRV guests plus people who congregate on the MSRV perimeter because the MSRV is there.

  • Developed a responsive relationship with the new MSRV operator, Urban Alchemy.

  • Highlighted areas of the GNA to be clarified.

  • Worked with City and other stakeholders to resolve issues, though mediation, the next step, is expensive and hard for a neighborhood association to use in practice.

  • We are coming to doubt the appropriateness of a low-barrier SRV in our area where neighbors live right next to the SRV.