SPRING NEWSLETTER

Welcome to the first day of spring!  Of course, it’s not what any of us had imagined. No Maine Flower Show, no Red Sox, no plays or live music--all while staying physically distant from one another.  But we do have our parks and open spaces, and what a wonderful refuge they are.

Parks are especially important right now

Many of you have reported that our parks and trails seem busier than ever!  As long as we’re not getting too close to each other, a walk or a frisbee toss among family members feels great!

Physical Health: We need to move our bodies and can still go walking, running, or cycling.  Just yesterday I was in the park watching two little girls run around flying a kite instead of climbing on the (now off-limits) monkey bars!

Mental Health: Psychiatric studies prove that interaction with nature will reduce feelings of isolation, promote calm, and lift our mood.  Doesn’t that sound good right now?

Education: Our parks offer perfect hands-on educational opportunities for you and your family such as: 1) how to identify clouds (and what they tell us about the weather), 2) how to identify birds (along with live nest-cams of osprey, owls, and more), and 3) how to identify trees (you can stick to the evergreens for the time being!)   

Portland has 63 parks!  For more information about how you can enjoy each one, visit our website for an interactive parks map.

Thank you for your interest and support of the Portland Parks Conservancy.  As you know, the PPC was founded in 2018 with a mission to enhance Portland’s parks and recreational programs by raising philanthropic capital and engaging the community.

Projects we’re currently working on:

Riverton School Playground: The PPC is partnering with the City to add specially-designed ADA inclusive equipment that will enable children with disabilities to play right alongside their peers. The Riverton Playground will be the only ADA inclusive playground within 40 miles and is scheduled to be built this summer.

Multi-Sensory Trail: A nature trail on land behind Riverton School will be designed to engage all ages and physical abilities in a healthy outdoor experience.

Portland Youth Corps: A summer job training/service program for young people aged 14-16 from underserved communities. Crew members will complete meaningful conservation work in Portland’s parks and receive a stipend and mentoring. 

Pump Track: A trail circuit that help adults and children develop their mountain biking skills. Payson Park, already a hub of recreational activity for families, is a possible location.

We look forward to seeing you this summer 

We have been planning a few parties for our donors and for folks who would like to learn more about us and will let you know those dates as soon as we have them!  Portland Parks Conservancy will be the featured nonprofit at Greendrinks on July 14, set up at the site of the new waterfront park by Ocean Gateway. We hope to see you there!

Thank you to the many folks who have supported Portland’s parks with a gift to the Portland Parks Conservancy.  Your investment is essential to the health of our community!