East Portland’s new Parklane Park bursts to life
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — After five years of planning and construction, Parklane Park in Portland’s Centennial Neighborhood officially opened Friday and is already buzzing with life.
The expanded park, located on SE 155th Ave., now serves 2,824 nearby residential units, 828 of which previously had no ready access to parks or natural areas, according to Portland Parks and Recreation. What began as just five acres has transformed into 25 acres of green space, trees, sports courts, and gathering areas.
“It’s good to see people everywhere, out and about, and it’s getting used already,” said parent Jamison Morey.
Parklane now includes basketball courts, a skate park, soccer fields, picnic spots, and a playground. It's a critical addition to East Portland, where the tree canopy coverage stood at just 22% a few years ago, making summer heat especially dangerous.
“I know it’s not that hot right now,” said Sarah Dean with the Multnomah County Health Department. “But we know it will be getting hot this summer.”
At a Friday press briefing, county officials warned of higher temperatures ahead. The timing of the park’s opening — which is just after the school year ends for nearly 900 students next door — offers a much-needed break from the heat and a new space for the community to cool down and connect.
“Folks have been waiting for 25 years to see a park emerge on this land,” said Maija Spencer with Portland Parks and Recreation. She added that every feature of the park was designed in collaboration with local residents and funded through system development charges — not tax dollars. She said it's also the largest developed park east of Interstate 205.
The park also features new art installations honoring ancestral roots and nature.
The official community celebration and ribbon cutting is scheduled for June 12 at 3:30 p.m.
Starting in mid-June through late August, the park will join Portland Parks and Recreation’s Free Lunch + Play program, offering free meals and activities for kids and teens 18 and under. Meals are served Monday through Friday, with no sign-up or ID required.
Portland Parks and Recreation has more information about Parklane Park.