Greetings! Read on for upcoming projects, events and programs with the Parks, Recreation & Facilities Department
62+ Program The 62+ Program is staying busy! We have a wide variety of trips planned for the summer, including one to Cabbage Island, BBQ dinners, and the Wilton Blueberry Festival in August. This is a photo from the Saco River CanoeTrip that took place in the beginning of June. If you are interested in being added to our mailing list to receive our monthly calendars, please call Meg at 207.808.5445.
What's New In Aquatics?
Summer Swim Lessons Interested in learning how to swim outside? Now's your chance! Registration for summer swim lessons is open and space is still available. The next session at our outdoor Kiwanis Community Pool starts July 11th, the next session after that is July 27th. Adult Lap Swims Starting this week, adult lap swim is offered Mon-Fri from 12:30-1:30pm at the Kiwanis pool.
Pianos in the Squares
The Pianos in the Squares are a hit! A project of the Parks, Recreation & Facilities Dept., Portland Downtown and the Friends of Congress Square Park, these colorful, painted pianos are available for all to play and enjoy in Monument Square, Congress Square, Longfellow Square and Bramhall Square throughout the month of July.
Spirits Alive Celebrates Eastern Cemetery's 350th! Eastern Cemetery turns 350 this year, having been established in 1668. "Spirits Alive" is one of our premierfriends groups, dedicated to the protection and preservation of Portland’s historic Eastern Cemetery through a range of activities including promotion and education. They have events planned to celebrate Eastern's 350th from July-September, check them out!They recently sponsored a restoration project at Stroudwater cemetery, another one of our inactive cemeteries. In addition to that, they were the recipients of the coveted Oakley award from American Gravestone Studies, which acknowledges groups who work to advance their mission – big congratulations to Spirits Alive!
TIQA Cafe is Open for Business in Deering Oaks! After significant construction on State Street extension through Deering Oaks last summer, TIQA cafe is back up and running with a full menu, beer, wine, and patio dining in beautiful Deering Oaks Park. Parking is available in the newly finished parking lot, which also happens to be rain-permeable to reduce stormwater flows into Casco Bay!
Summer in the Parks
Join us in our beautiful parks for some FREE entertainment!
Instagram Scavenger Hunt Starts: Monday, August 13th
Announcing our 2018 Instagram Parks Scavenger Hunt! Win tickets to see shows at Merrill Auditorium, Maine State Pier and more. Starting on Monday, August 13th, we will be posting visual clues on our Instagram account, and folks will solve the clues to find pairs of tickets to shows at one of our city-owned venues.
To participate, just follow Portland Parks, Rec & Facilities on Instagram @portlandmeprf – please share with your friends!
Skate-A-Thon Skate Park Fundraiser
Friday, August 18! The City of Portland, Long's Board Shop and the Skatepark Expansion Committee are working together to raise $100,000 in private funds (coupled with $240,000 of city capital improvement funding) to fund an expansion of the Portland skatepark, increasing it from 8,350 square feet to over 14,000 square feet. City Parks usually close at 10pm, but on August 18th, we are bringing in lights and keeping the skate park open until midnight to raise awareness and funds for this great spot. Live Music, Food Trucks, Skate Under the Lights, Prizes, and a Skate Raffle! Sign up here on our facebook page, then download a donor form– all skaters must raise at least $100 in donations to participate. Prizes for the skater who gets the highest donations and most money raised!
SCA Conservation Crew
The Portland Parks Division is hosting a high school-aged volunteer conservation work crew who are working on City properties from July 5-24.They are working on improving trails and bridges on the Portland Arts and Technical High School (PATHS) property in addition to trail projects at Evergreen Cemetery and Fort Gorges. The crews are typically made up of six high school students with two adult leaders. They often camp out in the area where they are working, so we wanted to inform our neighbors adjacent to PATHS that this group has the permission of the City to camp on City land. They should be contained to a relatively small area and we expect very minimal disturbance to neighboring properties, but wanted to let neighbors know that this has been permitted. We appreciate the public welcoming this group into their neighborhoods as they work to improve our beautiful open spaces!
Join the Portland Parks & Recreation “Play Specialists” as they visit a park near you! They’ll have fun stuff with which to play and they’ll also have fun stuff to do. It’s free and open to the public – just stop on by and join in the fun! Look for the Portland Parks and Recreation Flag to find us at the sites below (note: since this is a totally outdoor program, if the weather is bad, for the safety of the participants and the staff, the program will be cancelled for that day).
LOCATION VARIES Monday Morning – Kennedy Park; Stone Street Playground; Deering Oaks Monday Afternoon – Munjoy South; Peppermint Park; East End School Playground Tuesday Morning – Stone Street Playground Tuesday Afternoon – Reiche School Playground Wednesday Morning – Kennedy Park Wednesday Afternoon – Munjoy South Thursday Morning – Stone Street Playground Thursday Afternoon – Reiche School Playground Friday Morning – Kennedy Park; Peppermint Park; Wills Playground Friday Afternoon – Munjoy South
Troubh Ice Arena
Year-Round ISI (Ice Sports Industry)
Group Skating & Hockey Skills Lessons Cool off on a hot summer night with skating lessons!
Summer: 7-week session starts this week!
Mondays – Beginner & Advanced Hockey Skills
Tuesdays – Beginner Freestyle Level 10 Skating Lessons
Registration is open…secure your spot and register today!
Public Skate Hours
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Fridays: 11:45am-1:15pm
Saturdays: Closed through September 7th
Sundays: 1:30-3:00pm No Public Skate Hours: July 10th & 12th
Fee
$3.00 – Up to 17 years old / 60+ years old / Veterans
$5.00 – 18-59 years old
$2.00 – Skate Rentals For up-to-date calendar information, ask to be added to our PS email list: vla@portlandmaine.gov
Pick-Up Hockey Hours
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday & Fridays: 1:30-2:30pm
$5.00 – 18+ years old For up-to-date calendar information, ask to be added to our PUH email list: vla@portlandmaine.gov No Pick-up Hockey July 6th – 13th
Public *Freestyle Skate Gamma, Delta & All Higher Levels
Thursdays: 12:00-1:30pm, $5.00 For up-to date calendar information, ask to be added to our PFS email list: vla@portlandmaine.gov No Public Freestyle Skate on July 12th
Baxter Woodswas given to the city in 1946 byGovernor Percival Baxter as an open space for recreation and as a wildlife and bird preserve. The woods are now beloved by thousands ofPortlanders who enjoy the escapefrom the hustle and bustle of city life. Within the depthsof the woods, the city traffic fades away, the sound of frogsand birds take over,and the warm smell of hemlock and pinefill the air. Dog owners canhelp us protect this urban oasis by keeping dogswithin voice control so that they don't disturbvital bird habitat and other park users.Please check out the new signswe had made for Baxter Woodsentrances and help spread the word for positive dog owner habits. Thanks for your help!
Organic Manure Donations
Thanks to Hearts andHorses Farm in Buxton for generously donating multiple loads of compostedorganic manure for our Community Gardens. Each year, our 10 organic Community Gardens get deliveries of composted leaves from Evergreen Cemetery, woodchips forpathways and mulching from our Forestry Division, and compost from local farms, all for the purpose of building up healthy organic soil so our 400 gardeners can grow healthy veggies to bring home.
Walk In The Park Tours Next Tour: Sunday, August 19th, 10:00am-2:00pm Topic:Slow-Ride Bike Through Portland Parks History Presenters:Jeff Tarling, City Arborist; Ethan Hipple, Deputy Director Parks, Rec & Facilities, Jill Mulkern, Lead Park Ranger, Samara Ray, Naturalist Programmer Location: Start at the Payson Park Little LeagueFields Parking Lotfor a 9-mile bikeloop through Baxter Boulevard, Eastern Prom,Lincoln Park, Western Prom & Deering Oaks
Join the Portland Parks Division staff for a 9-mille slow-ride bike loop through Portland Park History. Bring your own bike and meet the group at Payson Park Little League parking lot. Explore the history and political intrigue behind Baxter Boulevard, Back Cove Trail, Eastern Prom, Western Prom and Deering Oaks parks, all while biking along Portland’s world-class multi-use paths and bike lanes. Will include some sections in traffic, must feel comfortable riding a bike in a large group. Bike-confident kids welcome with parental supervision. Bring a lunch for a picnic at Fish Point.
Riverside Grill
Enjoythis beautiful sunset from the Riverside Grill Deck!
Tuesdays
Trivia starting at 6:30
Wing Night - 75 cent wings (min of 8)
Fridays
Live music from 6:00-9:00pm
Saturdays & Sundays
Open for breakfast from 8:00am-Noon
Mug Club
Is in full swing! There are only a few mugs available: $40/members & $50/non-members of Riverside Golf Course.
Craft Beer
Check out our rotating craft beer of the day, only $3! Plus lots of local beer to try.
Jobs with Parks, Recreation & Facilities Throughout the year, we have many open positions within the Department:check current openings.
Happy Trails,
Your Parks, Recreation & Facilities Team
Sally DeLuca, Parks, Recreation & Facilities Director Ethan Hipple, Parks, Recreation & Facilities Deputy Director Andy Downs, Public Assembly Facilities Director Kathy Alves, Public Buildings, Port Director Marie Davis, Recreation Manager Ryan Scott, Riverside Golf Course Manager Alex Marshall, Troubh Ice Arena Manager
