Deering Oaks Fountain LED Lights 
High efficiency LED lighting has been installed in Deering Oaks fountain as part of the city-wide lighting efficiency project. Lights have color capabilities so we can celebrate holidays and special events. Fountain and duck house up and running for the season as well! ​

Cousins Memorial 
We are excited to get started on a project to restore the Jacob Cousins Memorial on the Eastern Prom. Jacob Cousins Memorial was originally installed in 1935 to honor the patriotism and sacrifices of Jewish Americans during times of conflict. The plan calls for constructing a small plaza with seating at the intersection of Eastern Prom and Cutter Streets, and some attractive landscape plantings to surround the restored and more visible memorial. City funding and generous support from the Friends of Eastern Prom are making this project possible. Construction will start after July 4.

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, Ethan Hipple & Jill Mulkern
Join the Portland Parks, Recreation & Facilities Dept for "A Walk in the Park", a monthly series of walks and talks in Portland's parks. Park Historians, Naturalists and Park Staff will lead a series of lectures, walks and bike rides in Portlan's Parks & Open Spaces to share the rich history and significance of these urban green spaces. More info and registration information available here.

Portland Park Finder Map
In March, we rolled out our new Portland Park Finder Map on our website, and folks have been using it to find playgrounds, basketball courts, gardens and trails ever since. Portland has over 66 parks, 27 playgrounds, 10 community gardens and dozens of athletic facilities spread out over 1,200+ acres of city land, but have you ever felt like you didn't know where they all were? Problem solved. Introducing the new Portland Park Finder Map. Featuring vibrant photos from Portland photographer Corey Templeton, the map has location information and descriptions of all of our parks and open spaces, including community gardens, athletic facilities, multi-use trails, playgrounds, winter recreation areas and more. Go explore the map, then get out there and have fun in your open spaces and parks! View the full map here.

USA TRACK & FIELD CLUB

Portland Recreation is offering a youth track & field program as part of the Maine USATF Summer Program. Learn track & field skills, meet new friends and compete against other Maine Track Clubs — if you love to run, jump & throw, this is the program for you!

WHO: Children ages 7-14
WHEN: Monday, June 25th through Saturday, August 11th (State Championship Meet)
PRACTICES: Monday & Tuesdays, 5:00–6:15pm @Fitzpatrick Stadium ~ Meets on Thursdays (June 28, July 5, 12, 19, 26 & August 2 at various locations in Southern Maine)
FEE: $100.00/Resident*, $110.00/Non-Resident 
*Fee Waiver Eligible
COACHES: Caitlyn Lally & Nicola Ciccomancini Student/Athletes
REGISTRATION:   
By Mail: 212 Canco Road Portland, ME 04103
By Fax: 808-5443
Online: portlandrec.com
FMI:  Contact Nick Cliche 808-5443 nc@portlandmaine.gov

Seasonal Park Rangers
Meet our Seasonal Park Rangers, whose season officially began last week. These Rangers (one full time year-round & four full-time seasonal) patrol all our park spaces and trails, monitor the water quality and manage the boat launch & bath house and at East End Beach. They are all deputized and can write citations for park rule infractions, with the primary goal to ensure that all patrons have a safe and enjoyable experience in our parks. Their season officially started last week, and it runs from Memorial Day to Labor Day. 

Portland Opportunity Crew 

The Portland Opportunity Crew is a collaborative program between Portland Health and Human Services and the Parks, Recreation & Facilities Departments. This innovative program has been featured in the New York Times for its hands-on approach to addressing panhandling and poverty in American cities. Each day during the spring, summer and fall seasons, city social service workers pick up folks who are panhandling on street corners and give them the opportunity for paid work for the day; free breakfast & lunch; and a connection to employment and housing counseling services. The crews provide vital work in our parks and public spaces, weeding garden beds, planting flowers and picking up trash. For the 2017 season, 17 workers took part in the program, over 300 bags of trash were removed from parks and waterways, 210 needles picked up, dozens of garden beds weeded on a weekly basis, and five of our crew members found full-time work as a result of being part of the program. In 2017, this program was supported by grant funding, but that is not guaranteed to last. We hope members of the public will consider making a donation to keep this program alive and give these folks the opportunity to work towards a better future.