Frequently Asked Questions
- What are the traffic impacts of adding parking?
We have had preliminary conversations with PBOT and will undergo a formal review process to understand traffic and parking impacts to the neighborhood. - Will adding parking spaces add to the number of people who drive to the park?
PP&R staff based the additional parking request on input from users and the community. Current parking is inadequate for current uses and forces users to park in front of businesses with already limited parking. - Can park users share the underground parking at the Y Building?
The building that sits adjacent to Duniway Park’s lower field is private property and, as has been made public, is currently undergoing renovations for the use of the tenant, Under Armour. Parking beneath the building will be utilized by the tenant for employee parking, storage, and other functions of the business. Portland Parks and Recreation appreciates the willingness Under Armour displayed in previously investigating this as a possibility. - How will trees be impacted?
Impacts to the adjacent areas of the park will be determined by the final design. Plans will be drafted to mitigate for trees impacted and protect those to remain during construction. - How are you addressing environmental regulations?
Adherence to environmental regulations is part of the design process. PP&R is responsible for any changes to parks property. We require compliance with all regulations. - Who gets to use the field?
The field will be managed and reserved by the Portland Parks & Recreation Customer Service Center. No special access has been requested by Under Armour. - Does PP&R have an agreement with Nike regarding Duniway Park?
Nike donated a portion of the cost to refurbish the track at Duniway Park in 1994. The track at Duniway Park was the first track of its kind. The state-of-the-art track surface was made from recycled rubber, including over 20,000 lbs. of athletic shoe soles donated by Nike, Inc. Parks currently does not have any agreements with Nike at Duniway Park. - Is this the Nike Track?
There has been a track in Duniway Park since the 1970s. In 1995, PP&R and Nike celebrated the new track in Duniway Park. This is not the Nike track. The Duniway Track was resurfaced in 2007 with Parks funds.
- Do we need a new track?
According to Beynon, a track consultant, resurfacing is recommended at Duniway in 2017 or 2018. - Will the improved facilities still be available for drop-in use?
Current permitting practices will continue on the improved facilities. The field and track are regularly permitted for groups on today’s facilities. When the field is permitted, the track is still available for drop-in use. When the track is permitted for practices, the outer lanes of the track are still available for drop in-use. - Won’t a synthetic field and new track increase noise in the neighborhood?
There may be more formal events as the result of the field and track improvements. All noise from events is regulated by permit through the Noise Office for the City of Portland. All amplified sound and noise over a certain level must be permitted. These uses are currently allowed in the park.
Use of Artificial Turf Fields
Portland Parks & Recreation (PP&R) is committed to providing safe and accessible recreational opportunities for all Portlanders. To that end, we are pursuing the installation of an artificial turf (crumb rubber) field for this project, while paying close attention to the national conversation surrounding artificial turf. The safety of our fields, along with every facility we own and manage, is paramount.
PP&R has a strong interest in conclusive research on crumb rubber infill; right now such research is not decisive. We are monitoring as more research is done, always looking for improved technologies, and we will look for opportunities to collect data ourselves. Please note that the potential health concerns surrounding synthetic fields must also be balanced with both the dangers of uneven/waterlogged/baked-dry grass fields causing falls, broken bones and/or sprains, and also with the fact that in our climate, natural fields are unsuitable for use many months of the year.
We will continue to consult with other park associations nationwide to understand any other data available, and their decisions on crumb rubber.
For more information, contact Stefanus Gunawan at
stefanus.gunawan@portlandoregon.gov or call 503-823-5493.