Парки Портленда: 125 лет истории, демократичные пространства и стабильное финансирование

For many Portland natives, spending time in the city’s parks and natural areas was a prominent part of growing up. Whether it was afternoons at neighborhood playgrounds, swimming lessons at the pool or spending time with the community at local recreation centers, these areas have shaped generations. These spaces are cared for by Portland Parks & Recreation (PP&R), a bureau of the City of Portland that manages more than 10,000 acres of parks, natural areas, recreational facilities, gardens and trails. “I like to say we cover just about everything from construction to conservation,” said Mark Ross, PP&R’s public information officer, who has worked for the bureau for 15 years. From art centers and pools to education programs, PP&R has reached many spaces and neighborhoods in Portland. However, the city’s relationship with parks and community spaces began long before PP&R was officially established. Lownsdale and Chapman Squares, Washington Park, Holladay Park and the Park Blocks were some of the earliest parks in Portland after it was incorporated as a city in 1851. Over the next 50 years, more park sites, including Columbia Park, Governors Park and Macleay Park were acquired. According to Portland State University history professor Catherine McNeur, the creation of the Parks Department gave Portland the organization it needed to maintain existing parks, as well as plan for more growth. “The Parks Department really began in 1900 when the state legislature allowed cities to create Parks Boards to help maintain public spaces,” said McNeur. “Several Portland citizens were eager to bring the “City Beautiful” movement to Portland, and having a Parks Department was an important first step.” The City Beautiful movement was an urban planning movement from the 1890s to the 1900s meant to beautify cities and encourage civic engagement. It gained momentum across North America and helped lay the groundwork for Portland’s modern park system. By 1900, the City of Portland had its first Board of Park Commissioners, which opened up the opportunity for the city to create and plan a public park system. Much of this plan was envisioned by John Charles Olmsted, a landscape architect, who, according to the Oregon Encyclopedia, created a “comprehensive system of parks and parkways for Portland.” Olmstead’s interconnected plan of boulevards and parkways wasn’t fully implemented due to financial concerns from the Park Board at the time. Still, his vision slowly came to life over the decades. Many of the parks we have today, such as Forest Park and Mount Tabor Park, reflect his original ideas of a connected park system. For McNeur, who has taught at PSU for 13 years, the parks hold a lot of history and are central to what makes Portland so well known for its green spaces.Her research focuses on American environmental history, with an interest in urban environments. Over the last two years, she developed a course called Parks & Portland, where students explored the city’s history by taking walking tours through parks. “I hope my students come away from these classes seeing the world around them with new eyes, asking questions about how things got to be the way they are, and using the research skills they’ve gained to find answers,” said McNeur. Students from a variety of majors, including engineering, business, math and psychology, took McNeur’s history course for the first time this past spring term. The students had the opportunity to research their own parks, create mini-documentaries and gain experience in archival research. McNeur’s research and teachings have also found an audience outside the classroom. Before offering the course, she created social media videos about park history in Portland and was met with enthusiasm, introducing PSU students and the Portland community to the history and stories of spaces many of us visit every day. “I was taken aback by the response and enthusiasm for knowing about park history,” said McNeur. “I’ve ended up meeting so many people who have shared their experiences and sources with me, and it’s really enriched my research.” For both McNeur and Ross, Portland’s public parks and community spaces are valuable because they belong to everyone. “The reason I love urban parks is that they are really democratic spaces,” said McNeur. “You don’t need to buy a coffee to take a seat.” These parks work to create accessible third spaces regardless of someone’s socioeconomic status. As McNeur says, they are community spaces where so much has taken place, from birthday parties and picnics to protests and police violence. “They are really a microcosm for the whole city,” said McNeur. Ross sees a strong sense of community at PP&R events. The bureau is currently hosting its Summer Free For All program, which offers free outdoor movies, concerts and cultural events at various parks in Portland. “Being outside in the city parks is what summer is all about,” Ross said. “Kids are frolicking, and dogs on leashes are lying and rolling around in the grass and dandelions. People are eating popcorn and enjoying the evening glow and each other’s company.” While Portland’s parks remain one of the city’s greatest assets, PP&R must also keep up maintenance on all these pools, recreation centers, playgrounds and trails. As Portland’s communities change, there is an increasing demand for parks and recreation services and a need to address access to these green spaces. In 2019, the bureau launched its Sustainable Future program, a plan to create stable funding to deliver services that Portlanders need. In 2020, voters passed a five-year-long operating levy, which was passed again in 2025. These parks levy funds have helped preserve services in recent years, but long-term financial stability is essential for maintaining parks and facilities. PP&R relies on voter support; without it, programs shrink and assets are reduced. Even with these challenges, Ross believes the bureau’s value is undeniable. “Parks are key to our quality of life,” said Ross. “There is nothing out there like the Portland parks system.” McNeur agrees. Through her years of research, she has met many people in the department, including maintenance workers, volunteers and activists. They have all spent time caring for these spaces, and have become a small part of the history the parks hold. “There is so much love for these spaces and the roles they play in the city from all of these people, many of whom have devoted their lives to making these spaces even better for our community,” said McNeur. “It is really uplifting to see how many people are caring for these community assets.” More than 125 years of dedication to parks and recreation centers have been a great strength for the Portland community. PP&R has provided spaces where people can gather, explore, learn and connect with nature and each other.