Portland PRIDE Accessibility Guide

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riendly Like Me is proud to partner with Portland PRIDE this year to create Portland's second Annual Pride Accessibility Guide and the most Accessible PRIDE yet!  Executive Director Debra Porta and her team have worked hard over the last few years to make the festival easier for everyone to access and enjoy.  With each passing year, the Portland Pride Festival has grown to become one of the most accessible and family-friendly Pride Celebrations in the country.  

We know what it feels like to stay home when you'd rather go...and Portland Pride organizers want you to know they are dedicated to accommodating you irrespective of your access needs.  From special accessible viewing areas of festival programming and the parade, wheelchair-accessible paths, and accessible restrooms throughout the park, to dedicated deaf/hard of hearing tents at each stage, Pride Northwest has gone the extra mile.

Importantly, at a festival such as this, it can be difficult to find respite from sensory overload, and that is why Portland Pride has partnered again this year with CareOregon to create a "Zen Den" area to rest and recharge.  Read on for specific details, but know that Portland Pride welcomes and encourages you to attend this, their most accessible pride yet!!

ACCESS TO THE FESTIVAL AND PROGRAMMING

We recommend using either the SW Pine or Ash Street entrances to access the festival with a mobility aid. Please note the Portland Pride Waterfront Festival is held in a public park, and the grounds can be uneven in places. 

Friendly Notice:  The Harvey Milk entrance has no paved entry into the park. The ground is naturally bumpy and can be uneven.  This is the LEAST accessible entrance to the park.

• For the second year in a row, Portland Pride has installed accessible flooring to line the grassy paths between the major portions of the festival.  Traversing the festival is much easier than it used to be!! 
• If you need extra assistance navigating the festival, Pride Northwest volunteers will be happy to help you.  You can find volunteers at the Information/volunteer booth by the SW Pine St entrance near the Battleship Oregon Memorial. 
  • Volunteers are wearing white t-shirts with VOLUNTEER lettering on the back.
  • Security officers will be wearing uniforms.
  • First-Aid / Emergency Response personnel are wearing T-shirts labeled "MEDIC"
• ASL interpreters are present in front of both the main stage and the north stage.  Please also plan to visit the Deaf/Hard of Hearing tents in front of both stages.

EMERGENCY SERVICES

Should you need emergency services, proceed to the Pride Nortwest Base Camp just inside the festival, next to the submarine mast at Pine & Naito, next to Northwest Basecamp. 

WHEELCHAIR CHARGING

While there is no dedicated wheelchair charging station this year, participants can charge wheelchairs in many of the community booths, provided you bring your own power adapter.  

ACCESSIBLE & ALTERNATIVE VIEWING OF THE PARADE 

In addition to the accessible viewing at the beginning of the parade route, please visit Prosper Portland at 220 NW Second Ave for a designated ADA viewing area of the parade. 

We are so thankful to Prosper Portland and the Oregon Jewish Museum and Center for Holocaust Education for providing alternative pride parade viewing spaces for people with access needs!  For access to the Oregon Jewish Museum and Center for Holocaust Education, take this guide to show the security guard and seats in their cafe, which has windows overlooking the parade which will be made available to you and a companion for parade viewing.  (The cafe is not open to the public that day.) Please be mindful that space is limited and this is specifically for people with access needs and a companion or two.

TAKE A BREAK

CareOregon Zen Den

This event is held outdoors, meaning warm weather conditions may impact sensory experiences. CareOregon knows that a place to take a break and a respite from the heat and sounds can be critical for those with sensory sensitivities and can make the difference for someone wanting to attend Pride.  This year CareOregon is again hosting a "Zen Den" for those needing haven, respite, and a place to decompress and relax.   It will be located on the North side of the SW Pine entrance, near the Waterfront Park Trail. 

Surrounded by sheer orange curtains to create shade and separation, the "Zen Den" hosts a cooling towel station, large orange rugs, tables and chairs, snacks, and cold water.  

THE MARIE EQUI CENTER

The Marie Equi Center which works to enhance the health of the trans, queer, gender diverse, and intersex community, is hosting a booth (#157) to provide shade, respite, and fresh cool water.  

MISTING STATIONS

For cooling down with friends, join us at one of three misting stations throughout the park!

GETTING THERE

ACCESSIBLE TRANSPORT

• For rides to and from Pride, we recommend ordering a ride on-demand through PDX Wave, Portland's Accessible Transport Program.  Drivers who have received extra training in Passenger Assistance and Safety & Sensitivity Training, including hands-on wheelchair securement training.  Request a ride by calling PDX WAV at 503-865-4WAV (503-865-4928) 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, or use the TNC app (Lyft or Uber) on your wireless device.  For more information about the program, please email PDXWAV@portlandoregon.gov.
• Red & Blue Lines of the MAX train are a great accessible transport options.  All buses and the majority of trains run on the 5th and 6th.  Tri-Met has several options for reaching the downtown Waterfront area. Please use the Tri-Met Trip Planner to find the best route for you.

PAID PARKING

There is no designated parking for the festival.  Patrons are encouraged to use public transport, accessible transport, or ride-sharing services.  However, paid parking is available nearby in private parking lots and on the street, but it is limited. There are also five SmartPark garages throughout downtown.  Rates are approximately $2/hr and  $14/day.

Click the map to fully view the Tri-Met rail system MAX train routes.

Full Map to Pride

See NW Pride's full map here!

Personalized Accessible Adventures

Friendly Like Me is now and forever a 100% free mobile app in which people can find and review locations all around the country for their specific access needs. In the app, you can build a personalized profile and select from a list of accessibility features to help you know at a glance whether a business is Friendly to you. From bars and hotels to hospitals and parks, we have over six million businesses waiting for you to explore!

Come with us as we take you to the most accessible LGBTQ-Friendly (yes, with a capital F!) locations in Portland. From the traditional bars and restaurants to atriums and chocolate factory tours, Portland has something for people of all ages and abilities to enjoy!

Now get out there, go with confidence--and PRIDE!

For more information about parking options near and around these venues, you can visit the City of Portland’s interactive parking map.