Share-It Square

What a unique neighborhood gathering place in modern America. Great neighbors come together for small community events and good times. I especially love the book bank, and have found and left many good books there.

An only in Portland hidden bastion of cultural community coolness. See it here (
) or better yet experience it yourself.

Meditation on a Hippy Corner
Tea stand, books, and a bulletin
Drop my crap off and neighb’s haul it in
I sure won’t hang out here
But glad that I live near
To observe this fine sharing shenanigan.
Please see Kelly M’s review for a more precise explanation of this painted street square, where I may have observed a public pet burial. Don’t quote me on that one.

Share-​It Square is a little slice of Portland’s vision of Utopia nestled into the neighborhood of Sellwood on 9^th and Sherret. One of the handful of projects that the Community Rejuvenation Project sponsors, this intersection has been refurbished to be community oriented. The pavement has been colorfully painted and each corner of the intersection is adorned with cob structures: the northeast corner houses a community bulletin board and a structure for free items (I’ve found everything from appliances to clothes here!); the southeast has a bookshelf sharing shelf; the southwest corner has a tea stand complete with mugs and (sometimes) fresh tea; and finally, the northwest houses a child’s playhouse constructed of cob and recycled windows. Stop by Share-​It Square to pick to trade recyclable housewares, clothes, or books; to rub elbows with your neighbors, to drink tea, or to let your kids play. Despite Share-​it Square’s distinctiveness, there is something so typically and heart-​warmingly Portland about this endeavor.