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Established in 1913, the Peninsula Park Rose Garden is Portland’s oldest public rose garden. Designed in a classical French style, the garden features a sunken rose garden with symmetrical rose beds, brick walkways, and a stunning central fountain.
If you haven’t visited yet, now’s the time! Whether you're strolling through the historic rose garden, having a picnic under the silver linden heritage tree, dropping in on activities at the Community Center, or volunteering with the Friends of Peninsula Park, summer memories will be made.
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In a recent video, Chief Bob Day reflects on his journey through the Portland Police Bureau — a path that began long before he ever wore the badge. A proud graduate of David Douglas High School, Class of ’86, Chief Day shares how his early experiences in East Portland shaped his love for the city and laid the foundation for a lifelong career in service.
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Photo caption: Office of Violence Prevention work session.
New data from the Major Cities Chiefs Association’s Midyear Violent Crime Report show that Portland recorded the steepest drop in violent crime among all 68 participating U.S. agencies during the first half of 2025.
In 2025, PDX 311 staff achieved record-breaking community engagement, responding to over 138,058 contacts in just the first half of the year—a 20% increase from the same period in 2024. This surge in contact volume, driven in part by interest in the Cooling Portland initiative, highlights the team's dedication to providing timely, accurate, and compassionate support to Portland and Multnomah County residents.
History is often erased as the built environment changes. This pattern is particularly prevalent for places significant to underserved communities. In 2024, the LGBTQ+ Historic Sites Project uncovered hundreds of sites significant to Portland's queer history during the 20th century. In the summer of 2025, the project team documented 45 more sites, adding to the growing list. The team focused on documenting places and queer histories related to protest, art and entertainment, health, and social connections.
In response to customer feedback, Portland Permitting & Development has updated its public permit review dashboard. The new dynamic dashboard still shows the time it takes to issue different types of permits but now allows users to customize their view with filters to see only the information they need.
Michael Jordan highlights issues involved in reconfiguring traffic flow on two blocks to promote public safety at Couch Park and preserve transportation safety for cyclists and pedestrians.
Data spotlight
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From 2010 to 2024, Portland issued an average of 4,340 housing permits per year. That’s not enough to meet our community’s need. The City recently identified the need for an additional 120,000 new units of housing by 2045. This translates into an annual target of 5,000 units. Learn more from the 2024 State of Housing in Portland |
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This class focuses on specific safety concerns of the LGBTQIA2S+ community. We welcome all Portlanders. Classes are free and offered August 14, 21, and 28 from 6-9:15 p.m. Registration is required.
Have a youth headed to college this fall? A teen beginning high school? A tween staying home by themselves for the first time?
Rose City Self-Defense and the Safe Blocks Program invite you to join us for an Introductory Personal Safety and Self-Defense workshop on Aug. 19 to learn the empowering skills to help keep yourself and your young ones safe and strong!
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The Portland Parks & Recreation Safe Swim hub features swim safety resources for indoor and outdoor swimmers.
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Can’t remember when to put the trash out? There’s an app for that! Download the City’s free Portland Garbage Day app for weekly, day-before reminders. You’ll also get reminders about holiday delays and weather disruptions. If the app’s not for you, we also offer email, text, and phone call reminders as well as built-in calendar reminders.
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We're hiring! Job openings at the City of Portland
 Featured jobs
Director of Public Utilities ($194,563 - $289,577 annually) - The new Director of Public Utilities role will lead the strategic integration of functions across the Portland Water Bureau and the Bureau of Environmental Services, unifying drinking water, stormwater and wastewater services for the first time under Portland’s One Water vision. Open until filled, apply by Sept. 8.
Portland Permitting & Development Director ($176,862.40 - $257,004.80 annually) - Portland Permitting & Development is seeking its next director. This role will lead a team of more than 300 City employees responsible for permitting, inspections, compliance and development review services across Portland. Open until filled, apply by Sept. 8.
New job openings
- Community Gardens Program Manager (Coordinator IV)
- Financial Analyst I – CPPW
- Forecast Analyst & Fund Manager (Financial Analyst III - CPPW)
- Office of Violence Prevention Program Manager (Manager I)
- Public Environment Management Office Coordinator (Coordinator I NE – CPPW) - Limited Duration
- Recreation Employment - Sports League Staff (Ages 15+)
- Rental Services Assistant Housing Program Specialist
- Resource Recovery Program Manager (Analyst IV)
Information session on how to apply
Virtual Session – Thursday August 21, 2025 – 12:30 PM
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Grants and funding
 Photo: Interstate Firehouse Cultural Center
Through its Small Grants Program, the Office of Arts & Culture's three grantmaking contractors distribute grants ranging from $500 to $5,000 to hundreds of individual artists and arts organizations. Arts & Culture's grantmaking contractors are Friends of IFCC, MusicOregon, and the Regional Arts & Culture Council (RACC).
Separately, Arts & Culture has a second grantmaking program called General Operating Support. That program provides direct, unrestricted grants to approximately 80 established nonprofit organizations each year that demonstrate artistic excellence, provide service to the community, show administrative and fiscal competence, and provide a range of high-quality art programs for the public. Organizations that receive General Operating Support are not eligible to apply for Small Grants Program funding.
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Give us your feedback
We'll discuss the current status of the program, plans for the future, and gather community insight on the growth of this vital city program.
August 12 from 6-8 p.m.
Project staff have released a Proposed Draft for zoning changes to increase opportunities for affordable housing in Portland. The public is invited to submit written or verbal testimony to the Planning Commission.
In October 2024, City Council approved three new Tax Increment Finance (TIF) districts in the Central City: Central Eastside Corridor, Lloyd-Holladay, and Westside. If you live, work, visit, or play in one of these TIF districts, we want to hear your perspective! Please complete this survey by Sunday, August 17.
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Not sure what district you’re in?
Check our district map to find your district and your City Councilors.
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Celebrate togetherness through the vibrant spirit of PDX Hip Hop Week. This festival brings together a breathtaking range of DJs, dancers, emcees, and art. Special events include Skate and Shake, Hip Hop Bingo, Open Mic, Hip Hop W(H)ealthy Walk, and the Star Awards.
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Featured events
Through August 21: PDX Live - Concerts at Pioneer Courthouse Square
Free events
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Community events in Portland parks
Volunteer events
For Portland Parks & Recreation planting and park clean up volunteer events, check the volunteer event filter.
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Request an accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) for any City of Portland program, service, event, or activity. To ensure the best response, please make your request at least five business days before the program or event, if possible. |
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Your Portland moment
Put your walking shoes on
Looking for a downtown stroll to entertain your visiting relatives? Or, want to get a quick lunchtime walk in with your co-worker? The Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT), Oregon Walks, and Travel Portland are collaborating on a downtown pedestrian wayfinding pilot project called Walk Portland. The project is designed to help residents and visitors walk and roll around downtown Portland with confidence and ease using signs, maps, and a website.
The Walk Portland downtown route guides visitors and locals alike to and through some of downtown Portland’s greatest hits, such as Pioneer Courthouse Square, Director Park, Salmon Street Springs at Waterfront Park, and the Portland Visitor Center. The route also encourages people to venture off the route and discover new things, such as the PSU Farmers Market, the newly renovated Central Library, destination food cart pods, as well as local businesses and hotels.
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How're we doing?
How well do you like Rose City Connection? How could we make it better? Take our reader survey and give us some feedback.
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Traducción e Interpretación | Biên Dịch và Thông Dịch | अनुवादन तथा व्याख्या
口笔译服务 | Устный и письменный перевод | Turjumaad iyo Fasiraad
Письмовий і усний переклад | Traducere și interpretariat | Chiaku me
Awewen Kapas
Translation and Interpretation: 3-1-1
The City of Portland ensures meaningful access and reasonably provides: translation, interpretation, modifications, accommodations, alternative formats, auxiliary aids and services. To request these services, call 311 for Relay Service or TTY: 711.
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