The Sidewalk Joy Changing Portland’s Sidewalks
About this episode
Most neighborhoods have an invisible boundary where public space ends and private property begins. Rachael Harms Mahlandt started questioning that boundary after discovering tiny installations scattered around Portland: a rubber duck exchange, a toy car swap, miniature galleries, and other invitations to stop and interact. She eventually built her own, then began mapping hundreds of similar projects through Sidewalk Joy. What started with a dinosaur diorama in her front yard has become a way for strangers to linger, trade something small, meet a neighbor, and treat the edge of private property as a place for connection.
ADDITIONAL SHOW NOTES- Rachael Harms Mahlandt (LinkedIn)
- Sidewalk Joy (Site)
- Local Recommendations:
- Tiffany Owens Reed (Instagram)
- Do you know someone who would make for a great Bottom-Up Revolution guest? Let us know here!
This podcast is made possible by Strong Towns members. Thank you! Join fellow members discussing this episode in The Commons.
Get every episode summarized
Each time The Bottom-Up Revolution publishes, we email you a written briefing from the transcript — the topics, who appeared, and any specific claims, with the ad reads skipped.
Email me new episodesFree for 3 shows. No card needed.
Hosts & guests
No transcript yet
This episode has not been transcribed. Request it and it moves to the front of the queue.
More episodes
More from The Bottom-Up Revolution
The Missing Ingredient in Great Placemaking
The Bottom-Up Revolution
The Goldilocks Problem Behind City Taxes
The Bottom-Up Revolution
The Co-Living Exchange Pairing Students and Seniors
The Bottom-Up Revolution
They Want to Pave Old San Juan for Parking
The Bottom-Up Revolution