At This Cully Church, an Unwanted Parking Lot Is Now a Garden Refuge

Morning Star Missionary Baptist Church in Northeast Portland successfully transformed its underused south parking lot into a vibrant green space, including gardens and playgrounds. The project, led by nonprofit Depave, aimed to alleviate heat retention and flooding issues while providing a safe area for children from Pequeñitos Childcare. Associate pastor Rodney Johnson noted the importance of creating community connections beyond church services. However, the initiative faced significant hurdles due to city zoning regulations that required a conditional use review for the removal of parking spaces. Despite the city’s inflexible stance, the church received over $1 million from the Portland Clean Energy Community Benefits Fund to support the project.

Johnson criticized the city for not aligning its permitting practices with its stated support for community-oriented projects. The site, previously a 20,000-square-foot asphalt lot, is now a symbol of community engagement and environmental stewardship. This transformation underscores the challenges of navigating urban planning regulations when addressing community and ecological needs.