Getting There
TRAFFIC: Avoid driving around looking for non-existent parking close to the school. Parking for several blocks around the school is usually full by an hour before sunset during the month of September. This can lead to drivers making poor decisions such as blocking a driveway or double parking because they didn’t anticipate this situation. Don’t be one of these people! Traffic is the single biggest concern of area residents, impacting safety for children and pets and access for emergency vehicles.
PARKING: PARK IN ONE OF OUR COURTESY PARKING AREAS: Imagine driving directly to a free parking spot and then walking just five minutes to begin your swift watching! A zero stress beginning to a wonderful evening!
- Montgomery Park, 2701 NW Vaughn offers free off-street parking. Travel west on Vaughn Street past the traffic light at NW 27th. Take the second opportunity to turn right to enter the parking lot. To get to the school from here walk back to the traffic light and then four blocks south on 27th Ave to Raleigh Street. See map.
USE PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION: The Portland Street Car and bus lines 15 and 17 travel within two blocks of Wallace Park. For planning your route visit TriMet's Trip Planner and enter NW Pettygrove and NW 25th Ave in the “To:” field.
RIDE YOUR BIKE: But be thoughtful and courteous about where you choose to leave your bike. Use the school bike racks. Group your bikes together and lock them out of the way of prime swift watching seats. Ask permission before parking bikes on private property. Don’t be offended if permission is not given, you may be the 100th person to have asked. Do not block the street with bikes.
WALK: Plan your evening, meet your friends somewhere nearby and then walk over. The phenomenon of Vaux’s Swifts is happening ALL OVER Northwest Portland in the hour leading up to sunset. Even a half-mile away, just look up and you’ll see hundreds of swifts making their way towards the school.
