It’s Pedalpalooza time!

What better way to start the summer than by cycling with friends and neighbors along a family-friendly path that connects neighborhoods with city lakes and natural areas? This June 9 Pedalpalooza event wraps up with a community potluck picnic and live bluegrass at Columbia Park (N Lombard and N Woolsey).

The adventure begins at 2:00 pm at Pittman Addition HydroPark, N Concord and N Going, along the Concord Neighborhood Greenway in the Overlook neighborhood. The path covers just over 11 miles along Neighborhood Greenways and through natural areas at Smith and Bybee lakes. It will take about three hours, including stops along the way to learn about some of the fun projects and partnerships that make Portland’s neighborhoods unique and green. Aside from a three-block hill at the start and a gradual incline from the Columbia River, the path is flat and easy for both kids and adults.

You also won’t want to miss the community potluck picnic following the ride at 5:00 pm in Columbia Park, with live music provided by Stumbleweed.

Friends of Trees is excited to sponsor the June 9 Pedalpalooza with Portland Bureau of Transportation, Portland Bureau of Environmental Services, Portland Water Bureau, Urban Greenspaces Institute—Nature in the City and The Intertwine, and Audubon Society of Portland’s Backyard Habitat Certification program.

In addition to a fun day of cycling and celebrating, this Pedalpalooza offers a great way to learn how Portland groups are showing leadership by creating neighborhood greenways and hydroparks, planting street trees to clean our rivers, and helping families create healthy backyard habitat—and how all of these projects are intertwined. Check out the event’s Facebook page!

–TR