How-to-Guide: Block Parties in Gresham

GRESHAM, OR - Fall is upon us, and with the change in season comes festivals, Halloween parades and chances to gather together with family and friends.

The City of Gresham encourages its citizens to create community and throwing a block party is a great way to do so. It is a simple, three step process. Follow these directions and you will be on your way to throwing a great and legal block party.

• Close Your Street.

Complete a street closure application at least 45 days prior to the planned party date. Major through-streets and bus routes are off limits. If you do plan to close an entire street, Type III barricades are needed to close off the front and the end of the street. Questions about street closure? You can email Cherie.Ludwig@GreshamOregon.gov

• Get Organized

A block party is a community event; it's a chance for neighbors to congregate and celebrate together. It's important that the planning and execution of the party is a group activity. Go door-to door and encourage your neighbors to attend. Send a group email to decide on a date and time for the party. Block party's are also a great time to form a Neighborhood Ready. These are crime prevention groups that work together to keep the neighborhood safe-they are comparable to a Neighborhood Watch group.

• Grab a ClearStream Recycling Container

The City of Gresham has the ability to loan recycling containers to people looking to recycle. The containers are designed to collect aluminum cans and plastic bottles. Since these ClearStream cans are distributed on a first come, first serve basis, its recommended that the request be made several weeks in advance of the party. The City of Gresham can also help locate off site recycling drop off centers to make the process as seamless as possible. If you'd like to make a request for a ClearStream Container, email Recycle@GreshamOregon.gov.

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