Be A Good Neighbor

Watching Vaux's Swifts swirl around and enter their nighttime roost at Chapman Elementary School is an increasingly popular Portland pastime. On any fair-weather evening in September, you will be one of  500-3,500 people arriving at and departing from this small neighborhood. Please be a good neighbor to Chapman-area residents by reading and following these tips:

Things to know before you go

• On-street parking near the school is very limited, especially on Pettygrove St. Your best defense is to plan to arrive early enough to park and walk a couple of blocks.  
• Do not drive up Pettygrove Street beyond (west of) 26th Avenue: It's a dead end and easily becomes congested to the point of being hazardous. Please help the many residents of Pettygrove keep their own daily schedules -- as well as their sanity!         
• City parking authorities will be patrolling. They will ticket vehicles for blocking driveways, double-parking and parking at fire hydrants. 
  
• Public transportation brings you within blocks of the school. Check out the Portland Streetcar or TriMet bus line 15.
  
• There are public restrooms at Wallace Park near the intersection of NW 25th and NW Raleigh St.  This is the northeast corner of the park.
  
• Garbage cans are few and far between - plan ahead! Bring your own garbage bag and take all your waste and recycling with you. This includes cardboard!
  
• Respect the property and privacy of neighbors - stay off lawns and driveways.
• Do not loiter on school grounds after the swifts have gone to bed - move to Wallace Park instead.
  
• It is illegal to smoke or drink alcohol on public school property.
  
• Remember that this event is supervised by YOU!