Portsmouth is a neighborhood on the North Portland peninsula. Its boundaries are the railroad cut on the west, Lombard on the south, Chautauqua on the east and Columbia Boulevard on the north.

The Portsmouth Neighborhood Association is one of the 95 officially recognized neighborhood associations in Portland. Neighborhood associations are a powerful resource that draws together a diversity of people who are concerned with issues affecting the quality of life in their neighborhoods.  Participation is voluntary and open to all residents who live, own property or a business, organization, church or government agency within its boundaries.

We operate according to our bylaws. 

Empowering our Community and Empowered BY our Community

We also like to say, "Empowered BY our Community" haven't been able to change our logo. What does it mean to empower our community? It means that we understand that our neighborhood is unique and the people in it come from a wide variety of cultures, life experiences, socioeconomic means, and personal identities - and bring those as strengths to the issues facing us all.  We appreciate and celebrate this fact. Every neighbor has a voice and their own values around what is important. We want to hear it! We strive to be a neighborhood association that is useful and supports our neighbors. We might not have all the answers but we can help you find out who does. We are a group of volunteers who want to connect with our neighbors, be a resource, impact local decisions and developments, support common goals, and maintain our neighborhood. We can’t do that without knowing your concerns, as well as your hopes for our shared community.

Why a Neighborhood Association?

Historically and currently, there are certain privileges that come with being in a neighborhood association. For example, neighborhood associations get a seat at certain political tables and can submit certain government paperwork without fees. Portsmouth is a neighborhood rich with diversity. As a neighborhood association, we want to work to reflect that diversity and invite all voices to the table. The privileges afforded to neighborhood associations were designed to give voice to the neighborhood and power to the people. But if the association is not actually representative of the neighborhood, it doesn’t work as it could. Portsmouth Neighborhood Association has a mission to be a resource and voice for our neighborhood and ALL of its inhabitants.

What do you want me to do about it?

We understand that most people don’t have free time to go to meetings, let alone follow every issue that may impact our community. What we’d like is for you to let us know what issues impact you the most and what outcomes you would like to see so that we can focus our efforts for change, give ideas for resources, and rally our neighbors into action. What does this look like? It could be any number of things including. Send us an email, stop by one of our social events, come to a community forum, or tell us where you will be so we can come to you!

All are welcome in the Portsmouth Neighborhood Association. We welcome our neighbors to join us regardless of race, religion, national origin, immigration status, ability, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any of the experiences and identities that enrich our diverse community.

For more information on how to get involved, contact us!

Neveen Hurd, Chair, neveen.pna@gmail.com

Mary-Margaret Wheeler-Weber, Vice Chair, portsmouthchair@gmail.com, 503-240-3344

Matthew Denton, Treasurer

Litzy Venturi, Secretary

Click on each event in the calendar below for more information, including a link to the agend and zoom meeting when available.

PNA Board Meetings are held electronically on the second Monday of each month at 5:30 PM. We try to reserve Board meetings for official business and agenda items.

PNA Monthly Socials are held every second Saturday from 4:00-6:00 PM at Chill n Fill. These are informal opportunities to meet neighbors! All ages, dogs welcome, food and NA beverages available. No purchase required!

PNA Community Forums are held periodically throughout the year and focus on a variety of topics. Past topics have included the closure of Columbia Pool and vacant nuisance properties. 

Email portsmouthchair@gmail.com with accommodations request that will allow your full participation in any of our events, or any other questions.

Get to know your neighbors and foster community on a hyper-local basis by hosting a block party!

Typically but not always, these are street parties at which all neighbors are invited to enjoy food, conversation, music and activities together. Sometimes it is just an opportunity for neighbors to take time out of their busy lives to get to know each other.

Block Parties may also have a more structured purpose. For example, the first Tuesday of every August, dozens of Block Parties are held as part the Crime Prevention program, National Night Out. Some neighbors use it as an opportunity to talk together about how they’d respond to things like an earthquake or snowstorm, or other potential or current challenges such as dangerous or annoying traffic, environmental concerns, or other issues they face. Or, they just have a party. 🙂

It’s easy to hold a block party in Portsmouth!

You can get a $50 micro grant for a block party held in the Portsmouth neighborhood. To apply, click here. It’s intended to support neighbors coming together and building community in Portsmouth. Eligible applications that meet the criteria will be funded in the order received while funds last. They are available through October 1st and the application is available through September 15.

Close your street! The PBOT Block Party website has information about how to register a street block party and borrow a free set of barricades from the Charles Jordan Community Center.

If you’re shy or don’t know many neighbors yet, maybe you’d like to start with a written questionnaire for your neighbors? Here’s an example sheet you can use. (Save a copy and you can edit it.)

Once you have a party, maybe you’d like to start a phone tree or contact list? This is a template you can save and edit, or print and fill out hard copy. The second page has handy information for people living in Portsmouth.

Here’s a template for a flyer you can use to let neighbors know it’s happening.

For more information or if you have suggestions, email mary.wheeler@gmail.com