Cathedral Park and St. Johns Neighborhoods to Benefit from $184k Metro Grant for Baltimore Woods Project

The Baltimore Woods Connectivity Corridor project will begin with the help of a Metro Nature in Neighborhoods grant. Metro awarded the Baltimore Woods project $184,600 in order to secure a 30-acre strip of woods and undeveloped land between the residential and industrial areas of Portland’s Cathedral Park neighborhood. The area is a prospective residential site, which would develop additional housing near Bridgeview; however, the benefits of protecting the woodland remain unsurpassed.

The Baltimore Woods project, headed by Friends of Baltimore Woods and Three Rivers Land Conservancy, is an opportunity to protect rare Oregon white oak and endangered plants and wildlife. Preserving this woodland also prevents erosion and protects the Willamette by filtering storm water. The project would benefit both the St. Johns and Cathedral Park neighborhoods.

The 30 acres covered by this project stretch across nine vacant lots. The goals are to protect the white oak habitat, create a space between the residential and industrial neighborhoods and preserve a green corridor along a future trail. Steps to restore the habitat include removing invasive plant species including Himalayan blackberry, English ivy and clematis. New trees and native shrubs will be planted that work well with the oaks. Woodpeckers and the Western grey squirrel, as well as other wildlife that live in and rely on these rare trees will benefit from the project as well.

Metro is working with the City of Portland’s Bureau of Environmental Services and parks department to acquire several other large lots in the Baltimore Woods corridor. Once restored, the healthy oak woodland will benefit neighboring properties and the community as a whole. There will be educational opportunities for students from neighboring schools who can come learn about the oaks, the habitat and the wildlife. A future trail on the site will be used by residents and commuters to connect with Cathedral Park, Pier Park and Willamette Greenway.

The Nature in Neighborhoods capital grants program is funded by Metro’s natural areas bond measure approved by voters in 2006. The program encourages the restoration of natural habitats of concern in area communities.

Metro
600 NE Grand Avenue
Portland, OR