A Close-up of an Especially Spring Like Face Mask. The Wearer Said Recently: “It’s Vital For Everyone to Wear Face Masks in Order to Combat the COVID-19. Get A Vaccination When you Have the Opportunity.”

A 27-acre forested parcel along Rand Road near outer Congress Street from the Avangrid Foundation has been acquired by the city this morning.  This land has been a high priority open space parcel for several years due to its adjacency to existing conservation land, its network and its natural and recreational values.  With this addition, the city has added protection  to its largest remaining undeveloped area around the headwaters of the Fore River.

“When you’re hiking in these woods you are among soaring pine trees, streams and open wetlands,” said Pat Bailey, Chair of the Portland Land Bank Commission.  “You feel like you are in a special place but you are right in the heart of Portland.”

Public access to the Rand Road property will continue via the trail network maintained by Portland Trails, which can be reached from Rowe Avenue, Starbird Lane and the Rand Road.

“This is a big deal for Portland to be able to preserve this 27-acre parcel that helps the city accomplish so many goals at once from preserving our existing tree canopy and habitat areas, to getting us close to 100% of our residents living within a 10-minute wlk of a park or trail, to creating outdoor recreation and exercise opportunities for walkers, bikers, students, commuters and dog-walkers,” said Ethan Hipple, the city’s Director of Parks, Recreation and Facilities.

This announcement comes just days ahead of Earth Day 2021

(MHN.com has experienced technical problems for the past several weeks making it impossible to post stories on this blog.  However, those problems appear to be resolved and so it is anticipated that posting will return to normal herein!)