TL;DR (generated · confidence: high)

Portland Parks & Recreation proposes cutting $95,583 in External Materials and Services funding from the planning team, reducing capacity for studies including green gentrification research, park plans for new properties, trail design work, and DOLA improvements. The reduction directly impacts equity-focused planning in high-BIPOC areas including East Portland, North Portland, and the Central City.

Key points (each cites a PDF page):

Cut $95,583 in External Materials and Services funding from Planning team capacity (p. 1667)
Eliminates funding for Green Gentrification Study, a joint research effort with Trust for Public Land, City Parks Alliance, and National Recreation & Parks Association examining if park projects contribute to displacement and housing cost increases (p. 1667)
Removes funding to develop 20-acre Wilkes Headwaters site in East Portland as a developed park and natural area (p. 1667)
Eliminates DOLA renovation and planning work, including improvements at Lents Park (p. 1667)
Reduces Planning capacity for regional trail alignment studies that provide transportation infrastructure for bikes and pedestrians (p. 1667)
Disproportionately impacts high-BIPOC percentage areas in East Portland, North Portland, and Central City that depend on non-automobile transportation (p. 1668)
Reduces Parks bureau strategic planning abilities for livable, equitable, and functional park assets (p. 1668)

💰 $95,583 · 📋 Green Gentrification Study · Sports Court Strategy · Level of Service · 🏛️ Portland Parks & Recreation

23,730

Source: PDF pp. 1667-1668 · raw: 1667 · 1668

Breadcrumb: 7 vs › vc-dps_06-03-2025_16-20 › Package Details › 23,730

23,730 - Reduce studies (e.g. green gentrification), park plans, and trail and acquisition work Service Area Vibrant Communities DCA Sonia Schmanski Bureau Name Portland Parks & Recreation Director Adena Long Funding Type Name Reduction Status: Recommended Package Desc Expense Recommended Total This proposal cuts the External Materials and Services reducing capacity for studies (e.g. green External Materials and Services ($95,583) gentrification), park plans, and trail and acquisition work. ($95,583) Service Impacts Revenue Recommended Total In FY 2025-26, the reduction in EMS Planning funding will have several immediate effects: General Fund Discretionary ($95,583)

Reduced Funding for Needed Planning Research Work. These Planning EMS funds are for efforts that the small but nimble Planning Team cannot complete on their own, due to limited Staff time ($95,583) availability, and the lack of detailed expertise in certain Park Planning-related areas. The team is, however, able to project manage these consultant efforts and produce the deliverables using these funds. Without money for consultant services, the Bureau will not be hiring consultants to perform needed studies such as the Level of Service or Sports Court Strategy.
Reduced Number of New Park Plans. The fund reduction will significantly reduce A&D’s ability to complete new park plans for vacant or acquired PP&R owned properties such as for the Wilkes Headwaters site, a 20-acre property in East Portland that will become a much-needed developed park and natural area.
Eliminated DOLA Work. The reduction will remove funding to help renovate existing DOLAS such as at Lents Park and to help plan future DOLA improvements.
Reduced Planning Capacity for Regional Trail Studies. The EMS fund reduction will impact PP&R ability to make regional trail alignment designs and determinations which provide alternate transportation infrastructure for bikes and pedestrians.
Reduced Community Engagement for Planning Studies and Projects. The A&D Planning Team would not be able to assist in paying for community engagement costs – as they frequently have.
Reduced Planning Innovation Ability: Currently, these EMS funds are being used to hire an economic consultant to help with our ground-breaking Green Gentrification Study. The purpose of the study is to provide clarity on if a neighborhood park project contributes to displacement and higher housing costs (rents, property values). The Planning Team is working with the Trust for Public Land, The City Parks Alliance, and the National Recreation & Parks Association to draft and complete the study. All these organizations are eagerly awaiting the results, and the work will spotlight the leadership role PP&R is taking in parks planning and in advancing equity objectives.

Equity Impacts Decreased Innovative Park Bureau Strategic Planning. With the ongoing loss of EMS funding, strategic planning efforts which help our City to be livable, equitable, functional, and beautiful for the community will be significantly reduced. The Bureau will not be able to thoughtfully, economically plan for future and current needs for park assets. This directly impacts the community – particularly high equity scoring areas of the City which have fewer natural areas, parks and park facilities. Inequitable and Decreased Level of Park Services. The EMS fund cut reduces A&D’s ability to complete new park plans which impacts park service levels as the work needed to build out our Park System in an equitable way will be reduced. For example, the EMS fund reduction will impact our ability to make regional trail alignment designs and determinations which provide alternate transportation infrastructure for bikes and pedestrians. Many unbuilt trail segments are in high BIPOC percentage areas of Portland (in particular East Portland, North Portland, and Central City). Reduction in new trail efforts in these areas would disproportionately affect communities who are more dependent on non-automobile sources of transportation. Reduced Oregon and Metro Regional Leadership Role. The City of Portland Parks & Recreation Planning Team has been a Leader in thoughtful, creative Planning ideas.

Parent: Package Details · PDF: pp. 1667-1668