Just took a walk in Gabriel Park. Happy to see two rangers patrolling. Sad that neither was wearing a mask. If for no other reason, those two rangers can serve as role model encouraging the wearing of masks.

I was devastated to see that the meadow at the coupons was now a parking lot. This was completely unnecessary as I have never in the past 15 years ago and there had an issue with parking on the gravel strip out front. Also PP &R has a nasty habit of cutting down way too many trees including many large Doug firs. Whitaker ponds “nature park “is decimated, Alberta Park had many large trees cut down to have bushes in place. Completely unnecessary to cut down the trees... these plants and bushes could’ve been included around the perimeter or in between trees. Trees also don’t need to be cut for bike pathways! This agency complains that it doesn’t have enough money but it appears they have plenty of money if unnecessary parking lots are a priority. I could go on and on about unnecessary projects that do nothing to cool the city or mitigate climate change.

Great parks, unless you happen to live in NW Portland and have children. The Couch Park playground was torn down without plans or discussion about a new one and a lame all metal structure (it rains in Portland) left instead. Great community centers if youre a stay-at-home parent and dont live in NW. Hillside, our only community center, is only open from M - F from 8 - 5. They have a great playground, but dont open it while theyre closed on the weekends. In other words, completely unusable. I think Portland, a creative town, can do better.

Springwater

This headquarter has design all the community centers and parks in Portland. Thank you PP&R!