Disabled Hikers Community Gathering: Gabriel Park Nature Patch, Portland

Join Disabled Hikers and Portland Parks and Recreation to celebrate Disability Pride Month and the 35th anniversary of the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act! Disabled Hikers is hosting an affinity space for anyone who is disabled, chronically ill, neurodivergent or otherwise has lived experience of disability. We will gather at the picnic shelter for conversation and community. Snacks and beverages are provided, and you are welcome to bring a picnic.

In addition to time for casual conversation, there will be a more structured sharing circle for everyone to come together and share your experiences navigating life and accessibility in Portland. If time allows and there is interest, we may take a short stroll through the gardens.

We hope you'll leave the event with more connections and a stronger sense of community. Transportation in a wheelchair accessible lift van is provided, and you do not have to stay the entire time.

Full details, including directions and meeting location, will be emailed to you after registration.

Location Description

The picnic shelter is approximately 200 feet from the parking lot. The path has a maximum 8% grade and is surfaced in small gravel. The area under the shelter is also gravel. Portland Parks will make improvements to the grade and surface prior to the event to make it a little more accessible. Please reach out if you have questions!

Amenities

ADA portable toilet with handwashing station at the parking lot, no other restroom facilities. Tables and a few folding chairs will be provided, but you may want to bring your own seating with you. There are benches in the gardens if you need to take a break away from the group.

Pets

Service dogs are always welcome. Pets are discouraged to prevent potential accessibility conflicts.

Cost

There is no fee to attend.

Masks Required and Scent-free

We practice Covid and illness transmission safety at all of our events. We ask everyone to wear a mask unless your disability prevents it, or when you need a break. Please distance from those who do wear a mask when you are not. We also ask that you not wear perfume and other artificial or natural scents to protect community members who are scent-reactive.

Parking

Paved parking lot with two ADA parking spots, six additional parking spots and parallel street parking. There is additional parking at the south entrance of the park. Taking public transit or the lift van is encouraged.

Transportation

Trimet Bus 45 stops approximately 0.4 mile away. Portland Parks is providing a lift van which can accommodate up to two people sitting in wheelchairs and 10 additional seated people.

Interpreters

ASL, Spanish, and other languages interpreters are available on request; please allow 10 days to coordinate. If you have a preferred interpreter, please include their contact information when you register!

About Disabled Hikers

Disabled Hikers is a disabled-led and disability-centered organization grounded in principles of disability justice. We celebrate Disabled people's experiences, facilitate those experiences with resources and events, and challenge the dominant narrative of who and what kinds of experiences are considered valid in the outdoors. We welcome anyone who is disabled, chronically ill, neurodivergent, or otherwise has lived experience of disability – we define these terms in the broadest way possible. We also welcome supportive friends and family. The group hikes together; we adapt the hike to match the needs of everyone present, rest when needed, and make decisions about when to turn back as a group. All of our events include a moment to honor the land and Indigenous peoples and group introductions. There is never any pressure to share anything.