PORTLAND, Ore. — Portland General Electric (PGE) is looking at making changes along Forest Park in North Portland to expand its power-line system. The utility company has been contacting customers to get feedback about the project, which would potentially take out some trees along Highway 30 near Linnton.
"PGE is in a due-diligence phase, exploring upgrading and enhancing existing equipment to meet growing electricity usage needs to enhance reliability and resilience of our grid," said PGE spokesperson Andrea Platt.
The company is looking to put more power lines in this area, where PGE already operates. Pratt said a total of three acres of the more than 5,000-acre park would be impacted by the potential project.
But some hikers say they're concerned. The appealing thing about Forest Park is it gives people a chance to be in the forest even though they're in the middle of the city. Kassandra Omvik, a Portland resident, was out there on a rainy Monday morning. She said the park trails provide people the break they need.
"It feels like an escape from town," Omvick said. "It's still Portland, and it doesn’t feel like you’re in a big city, so being able to have a break from everything is really nice."
Hailey Robinson, another Portland resident out hiking the trails in Forest Park on Monday, said she's worried about deforestation and losing the natural beauty of the Pacific Northwest.
"I use this trail a lot," she said. "The trails that are accessible from Northwest Portland are kind of the only way people who live in the city can get out in nature if they don't have a car. So I guess depending on the location, it could have an impact on people who live in the city."