North Deering Park Phase 1: Acquisition

The City of Portland Parks, Recreation and Facilities Department has partnered with the Trust for Public Land to work together towards the acquisition of 24 acres of land in North Deering neighborhood of Portland for a future park. The land contains an existing atheltic field, ponds, wetlands, and an informal network of neighborhood trails. The woods and wetlands serve as habitat for a wide variety of animals and birds, and the dense woods contribute significantly towards City tree canopy. In June of 2023, the City acquired the property.

The Trust For Public Land has been a partner to the City in many park and trail acqusition projects over the years, including the Eastern Promenade Trail, Presumpscot River Preserve, and the Bayside Trail.

The goal of this project is to preserve public access as a park so that future generations of Portlanders of all backgrounds can enjoy the benefits of this wonderful place.

94% of Portland residents currently live within a 10 minute walk to a park, but this section of North Deering lacks equitable access. As the City prioritizes low-income and workforce housing in various neighborhoods so that we can address our housing shortage, we are planning ahead to ensure that all residents have easy and safe access to parks, trails, and recreational facilities.

Now that acquisition is complete (as of June 2023), the next phase will consist of improving the existing facilities. In the summer of 2023, the Parks, Recreation and Facilities Department will mow and trim the existing ballfield, and will start the process of bringing it up to our organic city standards with aeration, top dressing, and overseeding. In late 2023 and 2024, the Parks, Recreation and Facilities Department, along with the Portland Parks Conservancy, will conduct community outreach to discuss possible park improvements for Phase II. Those improvements will be focused on walking access from Washington Ave Extension, trails, and further improvements to the ballfield and parking areas.