Facility Overview

Situated in the historic heart of Downtown Portland at the threshold of Old Town and the Skidmore district, Parking NW - SW 1st & Harvey Milk - L122 (often referenced as 42 SW Oak St or 87 SW Harvey Milk St) provides exceptionally convenient open-air surface parking. Positioned mere steps from the Willamette River, this lot offers a flat, well-configured asphalt layout designed for straightforward self-parking and swift maneuvers. Unlike many multi-level garages in the central business district that pose vertical clearance concerns, this facility is fully open to the sky with no low ceilings or overhead pipes. As an overheight- and oversize-friendly location, it effortlessly accommodates everything from compact commuter vehicles and luxury sedans to full-size SUVs, lifted pickup trucks, cargo vans, and vehicles outfitted with rooftop carriers or bicycle racks.

Prime Location & Nearby Attractions

The facility’s strategic waterfront position places visitors within immediate reach of Portland’s most celebrated cultural, dining, and scenic destinations:

• Tom McCall Waterfront Park: Located directly across SW Naito Parkway (a 1-minute walk), offering immediate access to the waterfront promenade, river trails, and major annual events such as the Waterfront Blues Festival, Portland Rose Festival CityFair, and the Oregon Brewers Festival.
• Portland Saturday Market: Just a 2-minute stroll to the nation's largest continuously operated open-air arts and crafts market, bustling every weekend from spring through Christmas.
• Pine Street Market: Located two blocks away (3-minute walk), this landmark food hall inside the Carriage & Baggage Building showcases a curated collection of local culinary artisans and casual dining.
• Old Town & Skidmore Historic District: A quick walk to iconic neighborhood establishments including Kells Irish Pub, Mama Mia Trattoria, Voodoo Doughnut, and the historic Skidmore Fountain.
• Hospitality & Accommodations: Within a 5-minute walk of premier downtown boutique hotels, including the Hi-Lo Hotel, Autograph Collection, and Embassy Suites by Hilton Downtown Portland.
• Lan Su Chinese Garden & Chinatown Gateway: An easy 7- to 8-minute walk north into the heart of Old Town Chinatown.
• Moda Center & Rose Quarter: Easily accessible across the river via the nearby MAX Light Rail line, making it a stress-free parking base for Portland Trail Blazers games and arena concerts.

Access, Navigation & Transit Connectivity

Drivers enjoy exceptional accessibility thanks to dual-street ingress and egress options. You can enter the lot either from SW Harvey Milk Street (between SW 1st Avenue and SW Naito Parkway) or from SW Oak Street (between SW Naito Parkway and SW 1st Avenue), each clearly marked with high-visibility Parking NW signage. Because the lot directly borders both SW Oak and SW Harvey Milk with quick outlets to SW Naito Parkway, motorists can smoothly depart toward the Morrison Bridge, Burnside Bridge, or Interstate 5 and Interstate 84 without getting trapped in interior downtown traffic bottlenecks.

For commuters seeking multimodal transportation options, the facility is located within a 3-minute walk of the TriMet Skidmore Fountain MAX Light Rail Station (servicing Blue and Red lines) and nearby SW 5th & Oak transit mall connections, allowing seamless park-and-ride transitions across the Portland metropolitan region.

Facility Amenities & Key Features

• Open-Air Surface Parking: Generous, open-sky headroom with no overhead height restrictions, perfectly accommodating lifted trucks, high-roof vans, and roof-box attachments.
• 24/7 Unrestricted Access: Fully accessible around the clock, 365 days a year, catering to day commuters, late-night revelers, and weekend market-goers.
• Streamlined Digital & On-Site Payment: Equipped with an on-site multi-space pay station kiosk supporting credit and debit cards, along with mobile pay options through ParkChirp and SpotHero for contactless reservation and extension.
• Clear Signage & Markings: Crisp stall striping and designated accessible (ADA) parking spaces located close to street access points.
• Dual Street Entry/Exit: Entrances on both SW Oak St and SW Harvey Milk St for optimal navigation and minimal exit congestion.

Ideal For

• Waterfront Festival & Eventgoers: Ideal for visitors attending parades, holiday celebrations, fun runs, and music festivals at Tom McCall Waterfront Park.
• Weekend Shoppers & Foodies: Perfectly positioned for exploring the Portland Saturday Market, Pine Street Market, and nearby Old Town eateries.
• Central Business District Commuters: A reliable, cost-effective base for downtown office workers seeking flexible daily early-bird or monthly parking arrangements.
• Oversize & Tall Vehicle Drivers: An essential alternative for contractors, tradespeople, vanlifers, and outdoor enthusiasts whose vehicles exceed standard downtown parking garage clearance maximums.

Visitor & Driver Tips

• Arrive Early on Market Weekends: The Portland Saturday Market and sunny weekend days at Waterfront Park draw high visitor volumes; plan to arrive before 10:30 AM to secure a prime stall.
• Mind One-Way Street Orientations: SW Oak Street runs eastbound toward the river, while SW Harvey Milk Street provides westbound movement off Naito Parkway—choose your approach route accordingly.
• Pre-Book for Event Assurance: During major events (such as the Rose Festival or 4th of July fireworks), reserving parking online ahead of time via ParkChirp or SpotHero locks in your stall and shields you from special-event rate fluctuations.
• Keep Belongings Out of Sight: As with any downtown urban surface lot, observe Portland vehicle safety best practices by stowing all bags, valuables, and electronics completely out of view in your trunk prior to walking away.