Illustration of delivery-drone blueprints on a drafting table, surrounded by handwritten notes representing community discussion.

Community Posts, Education & Events, Local Issues

Commercial Drone Deliveries: Community Conversation on October 18

East Columbia residents are invited to a community briefing and conversation about Amazon’s proposed Prime Air drone delivery sites and their potential impacts across North and Northeast Portland.

Join neighbors for an update on the City’s permitting and legislative process, hear different perspectives, and share your questions and concerns.

When and where

Sunday, October 18, 2026 · 3–5 p.m. Pacific
Attend in person or online.

In person: Northeast Coalition of Neighborhoods (NECN) Building
4815 NE 7th Ave, Portland, OR 97211

Online: Join the community conversation on Zoom

About the gathering

This event is independently hosted by members of North and Northeast Portland Neighborhood Associations. NECN is providing the venue only.

District Councilors and members of the press are also welcome to attend and listen to neighbors’ perspectives.

Questions? Contact the organizers’ Public Relations Team at pdxdroneconcerns@googlegroups.com.

Illustration of neighbors planting a conifer and raking leaves beside an autumn arboretum path.

Education & Events, Environmental Issues, Community Posts

Honor Veterans with VetREST at the Columbia Children’s Arboretum

Join VetREST on Wednesday, November 11, from 1:00–3:00 p.m. for an afternoon of clean up, planting, and honoring our Veterans at the Columbia Children’s Arboretum.

Volunteers will help clean up the arboretum’s conifer garden, plant new, uncommon species, and spend time together in community to honor our Veterans. It’s a meaningful way to spend Veterans Day right here in our own neighborhood.

Event details

Wednesday, November 11, 2026
1:00–3:00 p.m.
Meet at the North entrance of the Columbia Children’s Arboretum, off of Meadow Drive

About the event

This event is led by residents of Dignity Village and is part of their continued commitment to the East Columbia neighborhood. It builds on their recent landscaping and habitat restoration training.

Thank you to the event’s partners: East Multnomah Soil & Water Conservation District, the Oregon Department of Veterans’ Affairs (ODVA), and Portland Parks & Recreation.

More information and registration

For more information and to register, visit the VetREST event page.

All neighbors are welcome. Bring a friend, lend a hand, and help us honor the Veterans in our community.

Event flyer

VetREST Veterans Day flyer (PDF)Download

Digitally edited autumn view of the Children’s Arboretum paved path, with leaves changing from green to yellow and pinkish red.

Community Posts, Local Issues

October 14 ECNA General Meeting: Neighborhood Updates and a Fall Soup Exchange

Join your East Columbia neighbors on Wednesday, October 14, for our next general meeting. We’ll hear updates on local land-use issues, neighborhood cleanup efforts and opportunities to get involved. The evening also includes a Fall Soup Exchange beginning at 6 p.m.

Meeting details

Wednesday, October 14, 2026
Fall Soup Exchange begins at 6 p.m.
Meeting begins promptly at 7 p.m.

Fall Soup Exchange

Autumn illustration of steaming soup and chili bowls, mason jars, bread, and a ladle.

ECNA invites you to bring your favorite fall soup or chili to share and exchange with your neighbors!

Our Fall Soup Exchange begins at 6 p.m. Bring a pot of your favorite homemade soup or chili to share, and ECNA will provide bowls, bread, and crackers to round out the meal.

Be sure to bring a few mason jars or containers, too, so you can take home some of your favorite soups to enjoy later!

No competition and no prizes, just warm bowls, new recipes, and a cozy evening with neighbors.

General meeting to follow immediately afterwards at 7 p.m.

On the agenda

7:00 p.m. – Land-use update: Alice Walker will lead a 45-minute discussion covering the proposed Amazon drone base on Schmeer Road, trucking noise and a proposed environmental zoning change.
7:45 p.m. – November cookie bake-off: Barbara Neidig will share details about the cookie bake-off planned for November 11.
7:50 p.m. – Neighborhood cleanup: Michelle Wickliff will provide an update on cleanup dumpsters.
7:55 p.m. – Get involved with ECNA: Learn about vacant board and committee positions, along with block captain opportunities for Meadow Drive, South Shore Road, Lija Loop and Mariners Loop.

All neighbors are welcome. Come hear what’s happening, ask questions and connect with your community.

Meeting location

Columbia Community Bible Church
420 NE Marine Dr., Portland, OR 97211

Warm neighborhood meeting room with folding chairs around a table, a local map, and the words Special Meeting.

Uncategorized

ECNA Special Meeting: Wednesday, August 12

The East Columbia Neighborhood Association invites neighbors to a special meeting on Wednesday, August 12, promptly at 7:00 PM.

Location

Columbia Community Bible Church
420 NE Marine Drive
Portland, OR 97211

Discussion topics

Transition Projects: Kelsey Stark, Program Manager, will introduce the organization’s program serving people experiencing homelessness at the former Motel 6 site.
City zoning proposal: Alice Walker will share the latest updates and discuss potential effects on local property values.
Trucking noise near Gertz Road: Alice Walker will provide an update on this ongoing neighborhood concern, and we’ll be joined by special guests, Portland City Councilor (District 2), Elana Pirtle-Guiney, and Portland City Noise Officer, Paul Van Orden, to join the discussion regarding how we can protect our homes where our neighborhood meets industrial areas. (See flyer below & scan QR code to fill out the quetionairre)
2026 ECNA events and volunteer opportunities: We are seeking volunteer nominees for Activities Committee Coordinator, Notifications Committee Coordinator, and Block Captains for Meadow Drive, South Shore Road, Lija Loop, and Mariners Loop.

We’ll also share updates on Movie Night, the Cookie Bakeoff, Halloween on Meadow Drive, and the Chili Cookoff.

We hope you can join the conversation and help shape the year ahead for our neighborhood.

2026-8-7-special-meeting-industrial-noise-flyer Download

Block party

Annual ECNA Neighborhood Potluck at the Columbia Children’s Arboretum

Join the East Columbia Neighborhood Association for our annual neighborhood potluck on Saturday, August 8, from 1:00–3:00 PM at the Columbia Children’s Arboretum.

Spend the afternoon meeting neighbors, connecting with ECNA board members, and enjoying food, conversation, and family-friendly lawn games, including cornhole, Giant Connect Four, badminton, and sidewalk chalk.

What to bring

Please bring a picnic side dish to share. Secret family recipes are especially welcome!

ECNA will provide:

BBQ ribs
Rotisserie chicken
Blueberry pie
Assorted drinks

Location and parking

Columbia Children’s Arboretum
10040 NE 6th Drive
Portland, OR 97211

Follow the event signs from NE 13th Avenue to parking on Meadow Lane near the park’s east entrance.

No RSVP is needed. Just show up! Bring your family, bring a neighbor, and come enjoy an afternoon together in one of East Columbia’s most beautiful community spaces.