When I first moved to Portland and eagerly began to explore its rich and interesting neighborhood history, I was told by various sources that Southeast Portland's Brooklyn is one of the oldest hoods in the Rose City. Search the Internet for said information, and, of course, Old Town pops up as the oldest; with additional sleuthing, I discovered that Brooklyn boasts the oldest neighborhood association in Portland, spawned out of the Great Mt. Hood Freeway Revolt of the late 1960s and early 1970s. At any rate, Brooklyn is one neighborhood easily overlooked due to its isolated nature and position on the grid. For many, it's barely a blip on the radar as one passes through via Powell or searches for show parking near the Aladdin. I want to encourage you, however, to not gloss over this Southeast treasure complete with rich history, wonderfully old buildings, lush parks, and vibrant small businesses: Brooklyn is a worthy locale where one should stop and smell the roses.
So where can you get a whiff? For starters, try Oaks Bottom Wildlife Refuge for a hike (one of my fall favorites) and Oaks Park for an outdoor summer movie, concert, or indoor roller skating extravaganza. Brooklyn Park and Brooklyn School Park also offer fun for the whole family with their playgrounds and green picnic settings.
For your picnic, you could grab some baked goods or a pizza at Tastebud, which has proven to be a great culinary addition to the hood. True Brew Espresso (3370 SE Milwaukie Ave, 503.231.9992) has become a staple of Portland's coffee culture for many years running. (Insider's note: you can purchase Brooklyn neighborhood tees and hoodies here.)
Portland Futsal offers indoor Brazilian soccer for kids of all ages in an old warehouse space perfect for such a reuse effort. There are leagues to join as well as a nice location to throw a party. The addition of the Brooklyn Yard commercial project that houses 24 Hour Fitness has also proved successful. Its official grand opening is scheduled for next month, and yet there's already a dedicated group, eager to work out close to home, packing the facility each day. "Division Street had some issues with opening a similar gym. Brooklyn said: WELCOME."
Each of these specialized, niche businesses add to the neighborhood's charm—but what about the hood itself? The people, the issues, the projects? Aside from the cancellation of the Mt. Hood Freeway project way back when, Brooklyn residents have met and triumphed over other urban challenges. In the past, there has been serious concern about the hood potentially being taken over by parking lots, junkyards, and flimsy apartments. Now, neighbors are focused on railway noise and the Quiet Zone and the potential Post Office closure.
"Our neighborhood is really improving—and has been on an upward swing for the last ten years," states Lance Lindhal, resident, Brooklyn enthusiast, and Chair of the Brooklyn Action Corps. The BAC volunteer organization is committed to community improvement via collaboration to tackle "social, physical, and economic problems" facing the neighborhood.
"People are involved," quips Lindhal. He notes that BAC General Meetings typically draw 36 to 50 attendees, and when luminaries such as the Mayor or City Commissioners speak, over 100 people represent, and ask important, educated questions. Lindhal is constantly surprised with the queries neighbors make and notes that their base of knowledge and concern about land use and urban planning issues is quite high. They've even stumped our City Officials on occasion, which, Lindhal notes, makes for interesting meetings.
True Brew worked hard to help BAC early on, and Lindhal hopes to get more Brooklyn businesses involved with the group on a more consistent basis, to continue to "strengthen networking goals and advocacy." Plans for a larger commercial strip along Powell may force such communication efforts in the near future.
Lindhal has been involved for three years, and a resident for over eight. With history in the hood, (his father owns a small business here), after grad school, he wanted to "get involved, to connect with my community, to make myself useful." Brooklyn was a natural neighborhood for him to set up camp. "Being close to downtown, with easy access to all sorts of activities, without the parking hassles of Hawthorne and Division" make this terrific neighborhood appealing to many. Lindhal finds this "pocket of diversity"—in income levels and lifestyles—a strong draw, too. There are "lots of students, and people just starting their careers" who want easy access to downtown without the density issues that prevail there. The neighborhood's "neat mix of uses—including old buildings, the railroad, the Springwater Corridor and multiple parks—is attractive." Lindhal is not anxious to leave by any means.
Aside from the railway and related noise standards issues currently on the table, other areas of concern span public safety and the Portland to Milwaukie Light Rail project. With recent police precinct consolidation, Brooklyn residents were worried that their beat officers would be relocated. But that hasn't happened. "The police force is great, many live close, and because they are connected, and know the neighborhood, we notice that extra effort they add to our community policing. It's been a smooth transition."
Even better news in urban living: TriMet and City of Portland announced earlier this spring that the planned SE Holgate Boulevard Station is ON. The light rail development project has always felt to many as "a long way off in the future." Now that plans are "getting real," people are becoming more excited about their future—including improved access for busses, trucks, bikes, pedestrians, and businesses.
All signs point to more positive development in Brooklyn. To reinforce such efforts, the Brooklyn Historical Society was created "to preserve and promote the historic heritage of the Brooklyn Neighborhood." Part of the REACH Community Development's Milwaukie Action Plan initiative, Brooklyn Historical Society is a group of residents committed to securing national historic district status, documenting the neighborhood's rich history including the collection of artifacts and oral histories, preserving the Brooklyn Roundhouse, and adding to its membership base. They are also currently seeking nonprofit status. All are welcome to attend the lively meetings. (Note of potential historical interest: A friend of mine, while renovating his Brooklyn house, discovered a .22 with oxidized fingerprints, wrapped in a 1924 newspaper jammed up in his basement ceiling. I'll encourage him to conduct additional research and attend a meeting.)
Interested in rubbing elbows with other Brooklyn lovers? Attend the 8th (or 9th!) annual Ice Cream Social on Sunday, September 13 from 1 to 4 p.m. at Brooklyn Park. Residents, families, friends all meet to enjoy ice cream bars for 25 cents, groove on local entertainment, and learn more about neighborhood businesses and nonprofits. (Sounds like a summer blast.)
Brooklyn's personality was cheerfully summed up as being: creative, historic, unique, livable. Artists studios. Strong collaboration and ties among connected business owners. Old buildings. Neat places. Close proximity to downtown for work, to various recreational activities and outdoor locations. Green space. Historic rail yard. Why not visit Brooklyn, rather than just blast through? This beloved neighborhood welcomes us all.
The Aladdin. Portland landmark and Brooklyn treasure.
Learn more about Brooklyn at the BAC web site.
View the slide show for more images of Brooklyn or visit our Flickr gallery:
These are all fantastic steps in re-establishing this beautiful neighborhood to it's historical significance to the city of Portland--GREAT JOB!!!
Brooklyn is such a treasure?and so is BAC. It's really inspiring to see the work being done by this group of volunteers! Thanks, Scott.
For the record. The Sellwood Moreland Improvement League was formed in the early 60's as a nonprofit community organization in order to facilitate fundraising for the relocation of the St. John's Episcopal Church to the foot of SE Spokane Street. Sellwood was a separately incorporated city prior to annexing to the city of Portland so I am sure that Brooklyn is an older Portland neighborhood than Sellwood.
Actually Sellwood's incorporation was in 1953!