The current – virtually open-air – Pier Park restrooms are unsafe, unsanitary, inaccessible for handicapped folks and rusting. In the images below we will compare our restroom facilities with those at Gabriel Park, Laurelhurst Park and Mt. Tabor Park – all Portland Parks and Recreation facilities.
On July 8, 2015 Friends of Pier Park will speak with City Council to remind our elected officials about Pier Park and to give them the signed petitions asking for new restroom facilities. Please join us in the City Hall gallery. Friends of Pier Park t-shirts will be available beginning at 9:00 a.m. for all supporters. Thank you for your support.
Exterior Restroom Examples for Gabriel, Laurelhurst, Mt. Tabor and Pier Parks:
Exterior of the restroom at Gabriel Park. Three locking restrooms are available in this building.
Exterior of restroom at Laurelhurst Park. Two locking restrooms are available in this building.
Mt. Tabor restroom facilities are inviting and housed in a well-maintained stucco house-like structure.
Entry to the women’s restroom at Mt. Tabor Park.
Pier Park restroom facility, the “tin palace.” Note the walls to not extend to the ground.
Another side of the Pier Park restroom. Note rust and chipping paint.
Defaced signage on the “tin palace.”
Interior Restroom Examples for Gabriel, Laurelhurst, Mt. Tabor and Pier Parks.
Gabriel Park toilet. This restroom can be locked from the inside.
Gabriel Park hand dryer.
Gabriel Park sink.
Laurelhurst also has tiled restrooms, each equipped with a hand dryer.
Laurelhurst toilet. Note that the tiled wall extends to the floor and the restroom can be locked from the inside.
Mt. Tabor hand dryer.
Mt Tabor toilets.
Each Mt. Tabor toilet has a locking door.
Mt. Tabor restroom sink.
Interior of Pier Park’s restroom.
Pier Park’s toilet, women’s side.
Pier Park toilet, women’s side. Note rust on wall.
Rusted and damaged wall on Pier Park women’s side toilet. Note wall does not extend to the floor.
Pier Park toilet, men’s side. That is rust growing up the side of the “tin palace.”
Pier Park sink. Unlike other facilities, there are no hand dryers or locking restroom doors.
The single most dangerous part of the Pier Park restrooms is that there is no lighting. The only light comes from the break between the wall and the roof.
Please join us July 8, 2015 at City Hall, 1221 SW 4th Ave., to support Friends of Pier Park as we testify before the City Counc!il. Arrive at 9:00 am to receive your very own Friends of Pier Park t-shirt
Mary Ann Aschenbrenner is President of Waterlink Web, a web development firm located in the St. Johns neighborhood of North Portland. An active neighborhood volunteer, Mary Ann served on the Friends of Pier Park board for over eight years and is the designer and administrator of this site.