The city of Portland achieved a key milestone this year, as 98% of the city’s residents now live within a 10-minute walk of a park according to ParkServe, a data mapping initiative from Trust for Public Land according to a press release issued by the city last week.

One in three people in the United States, or 100 million people, including 28 million children, don’t have access to a park within a 10-minute walk of home.  Closeo-to-home access to parks to parks and other natural areas is proven to provide numerous benefis to nearby residents including reducing stress, improving both physical and mental health and building stronger social ties.

Portland was previously at 95% and reached dtheir new thrreshold with the addition of North Derring Park, as well as adding other small publicly accessible properties citdywide.  The acquistion of North Deering Park was made possible dthrough the collaboratie efort of the city of Portland Parks, Recreation and Facilities Department, the Trust for Public Land, the Portland Parks Conservancy and the Portland Land Bank.

The remaining 2% of residences that are further than a 10 minute wlk of a park are located primarily on islands, outer Riverton and East Deering.  Work continues on planning for improved access in these areas so that 100% of Portland residents reside within a 10 minute walk of a park or trail.