Park(ing) Day
If you’re wondering what all those mini patches of Astroturf are doing cropping up around the city, don’t worry; the Brady Bunch hasn’t invaded P-town for a reunion show. Its just folks taking part in Park(ing) Day. The create-your-own park exercise, which involves repurposing patches of asphalt into personalized parks for the day, is meant to highlight the impact that even small doses of green can make amid the hustle and bustle of big city life. The pintsize greenspaces will be open from 10:00 to 3:00 today. And speaking of pints, here’s a spot that’s perfect for pre-happy hour exploring: the Portland Audubon Society-sponsored patch of grass at NW 13th and Marshall—right across the street from Bridgeport Brewpub.

Friends of the Columbia River Gorge
Need some new friends? Or at least a reliable hiking partner? Check in with Friends of Columbia River Gorge. The Gorge advocacy group’s fall hike season kicks off this weekend with an outing to Dry Creek Falls. And if you can’t make it out on Saturday, treks to Angel’s Rest, Larch Mountain, and more under-the-radar locations like Washington’s Dancing Rock are in the works later this fall.

Discovery Saturday
If pulling the kids away from the Wii on Saturday morning is a goal, then the Leach Botanical Gardens has you covered with their Discovery Saturdays. Put on by the Johnson Creek Watershed Council, the outings help bolster respect for all the critters living in our waterways with a bit of throwback wireless fun: a nature themed scavenge hunt. Plenty for the kiddos to do this weekend, click here for related options.

Cycling Maps
Cyclists take note: The City of Portland Bureau of Transportation has a new set of recreational maps aimed at making the most of your next ride. In all, you can find eleven routes, each of which can be downloaded for free. Ride locales cover points all over the Metro area including Hillsboro, Rainer, Sandy, and Estacada, and pinpoint useful information such as where bike shoulders are and even flag spots with high traffic volume.