Facility Overview

The P+R Kern Park Christian Church parking facility is a convenient neighborhood park-and-ride situated at 6915 SE Pardee Street (with direct church parcel frontage extending to 6828 SE Holgate Boulevard) in Southeast Portland's vibrant Foster-Powell neighborhood. Established through a civic partnership between Kern Park Christian Church and the TriMet transit network, this open-air surface parking lot provides approximately 24 designated weekday commuter spaces alongside general church and community visitor parking. The lot features an organized asphalt surface with standard striping, clear drive aisles, and straightforward maneuverability.

Because the lot is an open-air surface deck with open-sky headroom, there are no overhead clearance restrictions or low-hanging garage barriers. This makes the facility exceptionally friendly for high-profile vehicles, including lifted 4x4 pickups, full-sized sport utility vehicles, crossover models, and high-roof trade or adventure vans. Standard passenger cars and compact vehicles can easily navigate the spaces, though oversized commercial trailers and overnight RV camping are strictly prohibited.

Prime Location & Nearby Attractions

Located in the heart of Southeast Portland, this parking area sits within steps of the dynamic Foster-Powell ("FoPo") district and neighboring Creston-Kenilworth:

• Kern Park: Located just two blocks north (a 4-minute walk to SE 67th Avenue and Center Street), offering tree-shaded walking paths, basketball courts, a baseball/softball diamond, and playground facilities.
• Foster Road Commercial Corridor: Located three blocks south (a 5-minute walk), packed with celebrated independent eateries, craft cocktail bars, vintage shops, and the renowned Portland Mercado Latin American food hub.
• Portland Community College Southeast Campus: Located approximately 1.2 miles east along Division and 82nd Avenue, making this a quiet drop-off and connection point for students and faculty.
• Reed College: Located about 2 miles southwest, accessible via a short bicycle ride or quick bus transfer.
• Downtown Portland & Central Eastside: Easily reached via connecting TriMet bus lines within 20 to 25 minutes, avoiding the hefty price tag and congestion of downtown parking garages.

Access, Navigation & Transit Connectivity

Ingress and egress are straightforward from SE Pardee Street and SE Holgate Boulevard, both of which connect seamlessly to major Southeast Portland arterials including SE 72nd Avenue, SE Foster Road, and SE 82nd Avenue (OR-213). Interstate 205 (I-205) is reachable within an 8-minute drive via Holgate Boulevard or Foster Road, allowing drivers from outer east county to park and transfer swiftly before hitting heavy inner-city traffic.

For transit commuters, the facility offers direct, convenient connections to TriMet service:

• TriMet Bus Line 17 (Holgate / NE 33rd): Stops directly along SE Holgate Boulevard, providing frequent direct service westward across the river to Downtown Portland and northward into the Lloyd District and Northeast neighborhoods.
• TriMet Bus Line 14 (Hawthorne / Foster): Frequent Service bus stopping just a 4-minute walk south on SE Foster Road, whisking commuters through the Hawthorne entertainment district and into downtown Portland with buses arriving every 15 minutes or better.
• Bicycle Links: Connects easily to Southeast Portland’s designated Neighborhood Greenways on SE 67th and SE Bush streets for convenient bike-and-ride journeys.

Facility Amenities & Key Features

• Free Commuter Parking: Designated TriMet Park & Ride spaces are complimentary for active public transit riders during operating hours.
• Open-Air Design: No vertical height barriers, accommodating standard passenger cars, tall roof racks, cargo carriers, and utility trucks.
• Paved & Marked Layout: Clearly striped parking bays with ample turning radius and marked directional drive aisles.
• Designated Accessible Spaces: ADA-compliant parking stalls marked with clear pavement signage close to flat pedestrian walkways.
• Neighborhood Setting: Positioned in a quiet, tree-lined residential and civic enclave away from congested arterial gridlock.

Ideal For

• Downtown Portland Commuters: Professionals looking to bypass downtown parking rates and bridge traffic by parking free and taking TriMet Line 17 or Line 14.
• Neighborhood Park Visitors: Families and community sports leagues visiting Kern Park's athletic fields and play areas during permitted hours.
• Eco-Minded Multimodal Travelers: Commuters combining short car trips with bus transit or bicycle connections to reduce their carbon footprint.
• Foster-Powell Daytime Patrons: Visitors attending community group meetings, early classes, or morning meetings in the Foster-Powell corridor.

Visitor & Driver Tips

To ensure a hassle-free parking experience at Kern Park Christian Church, keep these local recommendations in mind:

• Adhere to Commuter Guidelines: As a cooperative church-hosted Park & Ride, transit stalls are strictly designated for weekday commuter use (Monday through Friday). Weekend parking is reserved for church congregation services, faith programs, and parish operations.
• 24-Hour Maximum Stay: In accordance with TriMet policies, commuter parking is limited to a single continuous 24-hour window; continuous multi-day or residential storage parking is not allowed and risks vehicle towing.
• Park in Permitted Commuter Stalls: Follow on-site posted regulatory signs indicating which sections of the asphalt lot are allocated for TriMet riders versus private church staff.
• Practice Urban Car Safety: Always roll up windows, lock all doors, and keep all personal belongings, backpacks, shopping bags, and electronic charging cables out of plain sight.