Why you should vote YES for Measure 26-260

I know for so many of you, the Garden holds a special place in your heart, but that it's also not the only nature-based place you love and care for. Many of you have received your voting ballots for the November 3rd election and choosing where the "X" marks the spot will require some tough decisions. And one of those tough decision boxes will be for Measure 26-260 (aka, the Park's Levy).

I have been rightfully asked many times, "Why should I vote Yes on Measure 26–260?" This is a very good question– one we should all take the time to consider carefully. It was reported by officials that the Parks general fund is now projecting a deficit of approximately $16 million, there is a backlog of approximately $615 million in deferred maintenance costs and according to a 2024 Bureau report, over 86% of Portland Parks and Recreation assets are in poor or very bad condition.

Regardless of these facts, I highly encourage you to vote Yes on 26-260, and here's why! Our parks system is in desperate need of a long-term, sustainable solution. This new levy is a mere band-aid, but one we desperately need to support parks and nature and protect the critical benefits and services they provide for our communities. Without it, we are allowing misguided efforts and mistakes from the past to have irreparable damage on not only our parks system, but nature itself–the heart of our beloved park's system, that helps clean our air, makes our city livable and our communities more resilient, and inextricably connects us to each other and the parks and natural spaces we collectively share and love.

Measure 26–260 is just one of several necessary tools needed to resurrect our parks system from its current condition and chip away at the massive backlog of maintenance projects. Right now, we need to deploy every single one of these tools, and the first is to pass Measure 26–260.

I encourage you to vote YES on Measure 26-260 because if it doesn't pass, there will be cuts to essential programs that support communities who need them the most, potential closures of community centers, and a reduction in daily maintenance which is critical to ensuring our playgrounds and parks are clean and safe. I assure you, the Garden will continue working on this issue well beyond the results of Measure 26-260 and committed to working with a group of fellow parks advocates to identify alternative funding structures and a long-term sustainable solution for funding our parks system.

Sincerely,

Renee Myers
Executive Director

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