What and Where Is Terwilliger Parkway?
All who live near or use Terwilliger Boulevard appreciate its scenic nature and trails. But most streets don’t have an active “friends group” continuously advocating for them. What is this “Parkway” we’re so devoted to? We’ll start with a short definition– imprecise but closely aligned with how the term is commonly used.
Terwilliger Parkway (TP) is a linear park including Portland Parks &Recreation-managed natural areas along Terwilliger Boulevard, the roadway. It starts from the city end at Duniway Park and extends south to the Barbur Boulevard intersection. The area is shaded green on the simple map here. Note this simple definition includes separately named George Himes Park, on the downhill side of the road south of Capitol Highway.
The broader city view:
Portland adopted the Terwilliger Parkway Corridor Plan and accompanying Design Guidelines in 1983, defining a much larger area protected to preserve the defining characteristics and benefits of the Parkway. In the words of that document: “Terwilliger Parkway, Boulevard, and Trail are unique and notably successful parts of the City, which allow people to enjoy the natural beauty and setting of Portland while moving through it.” The Plan-covered area extends from Duniway Park south to Barbur Boulevard, and generally 400’ to either side of the road. Additional properties were added in 1995 that included 38 acres as part of Metro’s Open Spaces ballot measure and in 2012 an acre of land at Eagle Point. The Design Guidelines govern development and changes of private as well as public land to preserve the scenic and natural character of the area, and “reinforce the primary transportation function of the parkway as a scenic drive and bicycle commuting path.”
The scope of Friends of Terwilliger’s interest in the Parkway extends to this broader area, covering all the ways that neighbors, park users, and the various
city departments involved can help preserve and enhance the benefits of this scenic corridor. For more information on the full Corridor Plan, Design Guidelines and background Parkway Inventory see the “Resources” section of this website and click on “Plans and Documents”