Sometimes a Great Commotion makes way for a Picnic, Barefoot in the Park.

As seasons begin to change and the construction crews disperse, visitors to the Armory and Pearl District will begin to notice an early spring bloom along the Davis Street cultural corridor: the freshly minted Vera Katz Park—named for Portland’s vibrant and beloved 45th Mayor, an inspirational, unswerving champion for the arts and culture of this city.

A sublime 18 x 200-foot urban oasis, the park (designed by local landscape architects Murase Assoc.) continues PCS’s story of sustainable community development out into the neighborhood with a features like drought-tolerant trees, native grasses and perennials that will cut exterior irrigation by 100%, pervious pavers that filter stormwater, sociable and comfortable hardwood seating, a bioswale that runs along three-quarters of the block, and includes a stunning black-granite water channel supplied by recycled rainwater.

This is just the kind of pivotal public place the late visionary urbanist Jane Jacobs was referring to when she said: “People in Portland love Portland. That’s the most important thing. They really like to see it improved. . .and not with a lot of gimmicks, but with good, intelligent reuses of the old buildings. They’re good at rehabilitation. As far as their parks are concerned, they’ve got some wonderful parks with water flows in them. It’s fascinating. . .They’re unusual parks. The amount of space they take and what they deliver is just terrific.”

We can’t wait to spill the barely-contained excitement that happens inside the Armory out onto the street, animating the neighborhood with concerts, site-specific performance, tai chi, readings and speakers’ corners, sustainability talks, and shaded areas to simply sit and relax or organize an urban picnic.

We’re really hoping this can be a valuable amenity (alongside the Streetcar, short blocks, pedestrian rule, Powell’s, and Jamison Sq) contributing to the Pearl District neighborhood’s reputation as one of the 60 greatest places in the world.