Healthy Parks, Healthy Portland Report

Portland Parks & Recreation (PP&R) is in the process of updating its mission, values and equity/anti-racism commitment. In 2020, they reviewed the way the bureau functioned and explored how they might better serve Portlanders.
Underserved communities were put at the center of the process and a commitment was made for ongoing improvement. The new framework, called Healthy Parks, Healthy Portland, will transform both the way decisions are made and how things get done.
In two years of community listening and learning, PP&R found that Portlanders want accessible, safe, clean and well-maintained public spaces; healthy ecosystems and climate change resilience; learning, play and discovery; mental, emotional and physical wellness; community and civic connection; and jobs that support growth and belonging.
PP&R Director Adena Long said, “PP&R is committed to centering the people most impacted by inequities in Portland’s parks and recreation system. This includes Black people, Indigenous people, people of color, immigrants and refugees, LGBT2SQIA+ people, people with disabilities, youth, older adults and people earning lower incomes. We know that to create a healthy community, we must make sure all people are served through Portland’s parks and recreation system. That’s what Healthy Parks, Healthy Portland is all about.”
The report, available at , features an overview of the work done to refresh the bureau’s organizational statements; new organizational statements and how they will set the direction for the work they do every day; an assessment of how their work contributes to community outcomes; and where there are disparities that can be addressed.
While the new framework holds great promise, PP&R has been significantly underfunded for decades and its public assets are aging. All told, there is about $600 million of unfunded repair and replacement work, including walking paths, playgrounds, pools, community centers and various assets that are beyond their projected service life. Commissioner Dan Ryan said, “I’m committed to exploring a better, long-term and dedicated source of funding for the city’s parks and recreation facilities. In the meantime, the Healthy Parks, Healthy Portland framework will help guide us toward an improved parks and recreation system.”
PP&R estimates that one in five park assets could need to be removed or closed within the next 15 years without new, sustainable funding. In recent years, several assets have failed and had to be closed or removed for public safety. Visible examples include light poles in parks, Columbia Pool and picnic shelters at Montavilla and Woodstock parks.
Along with the Healthy Parks, Healthy Portland framework the bureau developed the Sustainable Future Initiative to drive the bureau forward toward an equitable and sustainable vision for the future.
The bureau is working to provide options to continue current operating funding levels, address needed capital funding to maintain current facilities and address gaps in service. With nearly one-third of the bureau’s current operations being funded by the Parks Levy, Portland voters would need to renew or replace it by 2025. Permanent funding could also be put before voters to provide greater stability.

Healthy Parks, Healthy Portland Report

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Scroll to Top