As a Portland Public Schools parent and PPS board member, I see every day how much kids need spaces to move, play and connect. Learning does not stop when the bell rings; we know our students do better when they have safe, welcoming places to go after school, on weekends and during school holidays. From free summer lunch to swimming lessons and afterschool programs, the 2025 Portland Parks Levy will fund opportunities for kids to be active, connected, and safe.
This ballot measure is about more than parks – it is about ensuring our kids have what they need to grow. When students have access to recreation and arts programs, sports and community centers, they build confidence, make friends and stay engaged in positive activities. These experiences support learning in the classroom and make sure every child – no matter where they live or how much their family makes – has the same chance to thrive. Every facet of our society benefits when our youngest generation soars.
Without this levy, Portland Parks & Recreation faces deep cuts that threaten to close facilities and risk eliminating programs that kids count on. That’s not the future we want for our students or for our city.
Please join me in voting yes on Measure 26-260. Let’s invest in our children’s well-being and keep Portland a place where every kid has the chance to learn, grow, and succeed – both inside and outside the classroom.
Stephanie Engelsman, Portland
Engelsman represents Zone 6 on the PPS Board of Education.