Staff proposes pilot closure of Catapult Drive to cars to slow traffic in Payson Park

Parks staff presented a traffic‑calming pilot for Payson Park that would close a segment of Catapult Drive to motor vehicles, add 5‑foot bike lanes and install raised crosswalk tables to slow speeds and improve pedestrian safety.

Ethan Hippel, director of parks, and Megan Hudlett, parks project manager, said the pilot stems from community requests and outreach to Portland Trails, Friends groups and neighborhood associations. Hudlett presented a one‑week speed study that began March 20, 2026: she reported that the average speed on Arboretum Road was 24 miles per hour, the 80th‑percentile speed was 28 mph, and staff said a majority of vehicles exceeded the posted speed limit. The presentation also described restriping to narrow travel lanes, adding 5‑foot bike lanes, widening parking lanes with compacted gravel and installing three raised tables with pedestrian crossings. On Catapult Drive staff proposed a pilot road closure between Inlet Road and Baxter Boulevard that would preserve pedestrian and bicycle access while diverting motor vehicles to Inlet Road.

Hudlett said staff plan to implement most elements in summer 2026 and that the project would be funded using a $100,000 contribution from the Back Cove Music Festival. Several committee members expressed support and discussed parking mitigation during busy seasons; staff said the pilot is intended to be temporary and will be evaluated.

Staff noted one inconsistency in the presentation materials: one slide referenced a posted limit of 50 mph, while the speed‑study summary and subsequent comments referred to a 15 mph posted limit and the high share of drivers exceeding that limit. The record shows the study’s reported averages and percentiles as above but that the presentation contained inconsistent text about the posted limit. The pilot does not require formal committee action; staff will continue outreach and implementation planning.