INCLUDES PARK PREVIEW VIDEO | After decades of meetings, take a look at this City Park that’s expanded from 5 to 25 acres, making it outer East Portland’s largest developed park. And learn about their grand opening in June…
How to show an all-new, 20-acre park in one photo? Here’s a look at part of Parklane Park, in this composed panorama.
Story and photos by David F. Ashton
There was no ceremony when contractors for Portland Parks & Recreation (PP&R) took down the fences around the all-new, and vastly-expanded, Parklane Park on Friday afternoon, May 9.
But, the fencing being removed signaled the “soft opening” of this outer East Portland park, long in the making – or, perhaps better put as a “remaking” – the process we’ve covered for decades.
As the park opens, a worker spiffs up the new Portland Loo.
A brief history:
>> To see our 2023 article, “Festive groundbreaking celebrates construction at Parklane Park”, CLICK HERE.
>> This article, “Parklane Park moves closer to development”, published in 2020, has links back to other articles as far back as 2010. CLICK HERE to open it.
Telling about the project on which she’s worked for years, here’s PP&R Senior Community Engagement Coordinator Maija Spencer.
On that delightfully sunny afternoon, PF&R’s Senior Community Engagement Coordinator Maija Spencer, who has been involved in the park’s expansion from 5 to 25 acres from the start to finish, spoke with reporters about the project.
See the new features while PP&R’s Maija Spencer tells about all that’s new in this park:
Spencer told how, after a five-and-a-half-year design and construction process, the now-open park was transformed from five acres to 25 acres and is now outer East Portland’s largest developed park.
“As you walk though the park, you’ll see it provides a new playground, splash pad, basketball and tennis courts, soccer fields, pavilion for community events, covered picnic areas, community garden, skate park, dog off-leash area, paved walking paths, additional restrooms, parking, public art, and hundreds of new trees!” Spencer exclaimed.
Gail Wilson and Loyal Harris are some of the very first neighbors to have fun in the playground.
As the fences come down, Robert Antaki is one the first to enjoy in-line skating in the new bowl. “This addition is really good, in fact it’s great to have this skate plaza here for the community,” he says.
A mural installed at Parklane Park’s pavilion and picnic shelter columns by Naomi Likayi, a first-generation Congolese American artist based in Portland, now graces the park – but is only one of many public art projects installed there, pointed out Spencer.
Via email, PP&R Director Adena Long stated, “[This park renovation] helps address the significant lack of parks, open spaces, and recreation in the Centennial neighborhood, with new amenities on 25 acres. It’s a major investment in East Portland, an exciting project that will benefit Portland for generations.”
In this shaded picnic area, neighbors have lunch at the new tables installed in the park.
These covered pavilions provide spaces for community activities, even during our rainy season.
The City of Portland “System Development Charge” (SDCs), not taxpayer dollars, funded the park project. SDCs are one-time fees from new developments which support Portland’s infrastructure.
After school lets out, kids arrive to try out the new playground.
Join the Parklane Park Opening Celebration
On Thursday, June 12, from 3 until 6 p.m., elected officials and city leaders will now “officially” open the park; the ribbon-cutting ceremony is scheduled for 3:30 p.m.
Plan now to enjoy family-friendly activities in the new park after the “final bell”, on the last day of school, for the Parklane Elementary and Oliver Middle School students right next door.
Parklane Park is located along SE 155th Avenue and Main Street, 97233. For more information about the park, including the story of its rich history, see its official website: CLICK HERE.
© 2025 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News™
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