The celebration kicks off with Summer Solstice Yoga led by Spiral Tree Yoga and Wellness, followed by a pancake brunch hosted by neighboring Breakwater School and live music with Jenny Van West. Activities for all ages include a bike clinic run by Portland Gear Hub, a critter parade, nature crafts, field games, fairy house building, and face painting. There will also be a book swap hosted by the Maine Humanities Council, a fence weaving workshop with the Rosemont Artist’s Guild, and a composting demo with Portland’s Garbage to Garden.
The event marks the successful culmination of phase one of the collaborative renovation project, a public/private partnership between the City of Portland, the Nason’s Corner Neighborhood Association, Breakwater School, and Portland Trails' School Ground Greening Coalition.
“At a time when municipal budgets struggle to support the growing demand for greener urban spaces, this new playground is a great example of what can be accomplished through strong public-private partnerships,”
said project outreach coordinator Martha Thompson.
All of the project’s funding so far comes from individual donors and foundation grants, including a $250,000 matching gift challenge from the Griswold Family Foundation. Local business partner Rosemont Market & Bakery is selling a special Coffee By Design “Explorers Blend” coffee to support the project, and Sarah Delisle at Vitalius Real Estate Group will donate a percentage of her home sales in the area to the park project.
More than six years in the making, the park project has dual environmental and community development goals. The new natural playscape is designed to inspire creativity and nature exploration, while enhancing the development of social, cognitive, sensory, and physical motor skills. It features a seven foot tall “Octopus” climbing wall carved from Maine-quarried granite, a tunnel, hill slide, outdoor classroom, and soon to come, a bridge and hilltop fort. The park’s existing playing fields will continue to serve children in area sports leagues.
Fundraising is underway for phase two of the project, which will include a natural playground designed specifically for toddlers, an early childhood education play area, an open air stage, gardens, an outdoor classroom, and improved parking with new pathways leading into the park from Brighton Ave. Completion of this phase is anticipated for summer 2015.
“An initiative such as this serves to bring people together around a unifying cause, provides for the health and wellbeing of our residents, attracts economic development and fosters a sense of community that makes Portland a city of strong neighborhood participation,” wrote Portland’s Mayor Michael Brennan in support of the project. “The new design, with a focus on creating a play space using natural elements, positions the park to stand out as a contemporary green space for learning and creative play.”
Saturday In the Park
A community celebration of Portland's new natural playground
Saturday, June 21, from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm
Nason’s Corner Park located on the corner of Capisic Street and Brighton Ave.
FREE family fun
For more information regarding the event, contact:
Martha Thompson at 207-347-1287.
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