Mt. Tabor Park in southeast Portland was recently named the nation’s first “Urban Quiet Park” by Quiet Parks International, a nonprofit that aims to “save quiet for the benefit of all life.” The organization has recognized nine other Urban Quiet Parks around the world, including Hampstead Heath in London, Yangmingshan National Park in Taipei and Parc del Montnegre i el Corredor in Barcelona.

Jacob Schmidt is a volunteer technician with Quiet Parks International. He took audio measurements in Mt. Tabor Park, and joins us to explain how the park was chosen, what the designation means and why it’s important to preserve quiet spaces in urban environments.