Mount Tabor designated first "Urban Quiet Park" in the U.S.

(JUNE 2, 2023) Mount Tabor Park is in Southeast Portland. It is now the first "Urban Quiet Park" in the United States by an organization called Quiet Parks International. 

The park covers an area of 176 acres and is located on top of a dormant volcano (Mount Tabor). According to Jacob Schmidt, a volunteer from Quiet Parks International, the park's tall trees and the park's height of almost 640 feet together provide a sense of solitude. According to MacMillan American Dictionary, solitude is "the state of being completely alone, especially when this is pleasant or relaxing." Schmidt says this is true even during busy times like summer holidays and dance parties.

The goal of Quiet Parks International is to preserve and promote areas of quiet for the benefit of all living beings. They offer designations for urban parks, wilderness parks, and trails that meet certain criteria. To determine the suitability of Mount Tabor Park for the designation, Schmidt visited the park 14 times and measured the average decibel levels in various locations. He found spots where the sound levels were below 40 decibels, which is considered very quiet. For comparison, a quiet library typically measures around 40 decibels.

Schmidt emphasized that the designation does not come with rules or penalties for noise. Instead, it is a way to raise awareness and cultivate an appreciation for silence. Schmidt encouraged visitors to adopt an attitude and mindset of appreciating the quiet environment, as it may inspire others to do the same.