Portland Trails

Now 32 years old, Portland Trails is a non-profit urban land trust that serves the 230,000+ residents of greater Portland and many of the area's 4 million annual visitors. The 76+ mile trail network, which is within a 10- minute walk of every residence, provides free nature-based recreation and transportation options for adults and children. Guided by the foundational belief that Trails are tools for community change, Portland Trails is focusing on reducing social barriers so that all of our neighbors feel welcome and safe on the Trails. While the Trails physically reach within 1/4 mile of every resident in Portland, not everyone feels welcome, safe, and comfortable in these public spaces. Trails not only provide an important connection to nature but serve as a vital link in a more equitable transportation network, connect neighbors and neighborhoods, improve economic development, enhance ecological and human health, and create a more vibrant community. In 2022, Portland Trails focused on three main areas of work: building new Trails and providing necessary maintenance and upgrades to existing Trails, improving wayfinding and mapping within the network, and developing and launching the healthier neighborhoods for all program. Portland Trails started its largest trail project in a decade: the clark brook trail in westbrook. This trail project, funded generously by the idexx foundation, will provide a critical off-road link between Portland and westbrook. Additionally, the trail will meet official byway standards, meaning it is six feet wide with a smooth stone dust surface. It's designed for commuting and is suitable for road bicycles, strollers, and potentially wheelchairs in the right weather conditions. Another area of focus was new trail users; connecting with people who are not using Trails, and making improvements to the trail experience so that all feel safe and welcome. With the assistance of an americorps volunteer, Portland Trails created new signage and "you are here" maps to guide people throughout the trail system. 2022 also saw the launch of our healthier neighborhoods for all program with the hiring of our first full-time inclusion coordinator, angelique bitshilualua. The purpose of this program is to improve the health of Portland's neighborhoods, with a focus on low- income, bipoc, and immigrant residents, by increasing awareness and usage of local Trails and outdoor spaces. Portland Trails looks forward to the development of this program, and working with residents to co-create community-driven changes in their neighborhoods that support active lifestyles, improve mental health, and provide car-free transportation opportunities.