Vote YES to Fix Portland Parks

From Forest Park to Pioneer Courthouse Square, and in neighborhoods across the city, Portland has a great park system. But with $365 million in necessary major maintenance needs over the 10 years, we need to make a smart investment now to keep our parks safe and open.

It’s time to fix our parks. That’s why Friends of Trees is supporting the Portland Parks Replacement Bond, Measure 26-159, on November 4.

As Portland’s last parks bond—passed in 1994—is paid off in 2015, we have the opportunity to address critical park needs without increasing tax rates from what they are today. We can raise up to $68 million to address the most critical needs of our parks system, by continuing to fund parks at the same tax rate as the expiring bond (approximately $0.0877 per $1,000 of assessed value). Over the last century, Portland has created and maintained our park system through bond measures and levies like this one.

If Portland voters approve Measure 26-159, funding would go toward Portland’s most urgent park needs—like replacing failing playgrounds and other safety and accessibility improvements. Measure 26-159 requires a citizen oversight panel and audits, to ensure the funds are well spent.

If the measure does not pass, the annual property taxes paid by the typical household with an assessed value of $152,000 could decrease by about $13. But we won’t have enough parks funding, which will mean more closures like the ones that have already happened at Couch Playground and on the Maple Trail in Forest Park. Our pools and other community facilities will be at risk of emergency closure when equipment fails.

Friends of Trees is proud to support the Parks Replacement Bond, because we understand the power of green spaces to bring communities together, improve our health and increase quality of life.

For more information about Measure 26-159, please visit FixOurParks.org. And please join us in voting YES on Measure 26-159 on November 4.