You are invited to attend a groundbreaking event  scheduled for Friday, April 10th at 11:00 am for Phase 1 of the new Waterfront Park on the east end of Portland. The event will be hosted by the city of Portland and the Portand Parks Conservancy.

Currently called Portland Harbor Common, it is the vision of the late Richard “Dick” Barringer, the first director of the Bureau of Public Lands, former commissioner of the Department of Conservation, former state planning director and a co-founder of the Edmund S. Muskie School of Public Service.  Dick dedicated much of his life to protecting Maine’s outdoors for the enjoyment of all.

The 3.5 acre site on the former queing lines for the now defuncdt Nova Scotia ferry and was temporarily designated for parking in the intervening years.  Over the next six months, the lot will be transformed into a public greenspace that includes walking and biking trails, trees, native plantings, lawn areas, hardscape areas for event space of food truck activation, lighting and parking for nearby water dependent uses.  The  City’s Public Art Committee is commissioning a significant new installation for the space.  The new park is expected to open by the end of 2026.

Construction in 2026 represents Phase 1 of a broader effort to transform the eastern waterfront into an extensive new park extending from Maine State Pier to the new Portand Foreside development.  Additional phases will focus primarily on the area east of Ocean Gateway.  National urban parks leader Trust for Public Land has signed on as a partner to support park design, fundraising ad community engagement.  The team – the city, Portland Parks Conservancy, Trust for Public Land and other community members – is actively seeking funds for design and construction for additional phases of the project.

Portand Harbor Common is the temporary name for the new space  A Naming Committee consistig of city officials recently solicited suggestions from the public for a permenent name and will make a recommendation to the city’s Sustainability and Transportation Committee in the coming weeks.  The city council will then need to approve the final selection.

“This new park will invite the public to gather by the water to take in the views, to enjoy local food, and to take part in cultural events that will bring us together,” said Ethan Hipple, Director of the Parks, Recreation and Facilities Department.  “At a time when this area is seeing rapid changes and development, this space will preserve the public’s access to the waterfront for generations to come.”

To support the completion of Portland Harbor Commin, consider a donation to the Portland Parks Conservancy by visiting wwwportlandparksconservancy.org.

For more background information on the spot, please read post herein dated August 23, 2016.