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Move, breathe, and connect this spring with Fitness in the Park at Irving Park️. Fresh air, movement, and time outdoors help ease mental fatigue and support mental well-being. Go outside during Mental Health Awareness Month – and everyday! Check out the Fitness in the Park schedule, which expands to nine locations across the city on June 22 -- or find your nearest park today.
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In this issue
Most City of Portland offices will be closed Monday, May 25. Recreation centers may be open, check before you go.
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 Heritage Tree #1, circa 1975, an American elm also known as the Burrell Elm, was located at 1111 Southwest 10th Avenue and was Portland’s first Heritage Tree.
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Portland Parks & Recreation (PP&R) is celebrating the life, history, and enduring legacy of Portland’s first-ever Heritage Tree—an American elm planted around 1870 on the Burrell family property and later designated as Heritage Tree #1.
Although the landmark tree was removed in 2024 due to irreversible decline and public safety concerns, PP&R has ensured that its story will live on. Portions of the tree have been carefully reclaimed and transformed into meaningful public assets, including a major cross-section donated to the Oregon Historical Society and handcrafted benches now being installed at some PP&R community centers
Portland’s Heritage Trees are trees that have been formally recognized for their size, age, or historical or horticultural significance. They are protected by city code and designated with a small plaque so they can be identified and enjoyed by the public. Heritage Tree #1, Portland’s first-ever, stood as a quiet witness to Portland’s growth for more than 130 years. Visitors have admired its majestic height and spread. Families have gathered in its shade. Neighbors have measured the seasons by the color of its leaves and enjoyed the unique character it added to their neighborhood. It was, in every meaningful sense, a member of this community.
And thanks to the efforts of Portland Parks & Recreation and the Oregon Historical Society, it continues its legacy as a treasured Portland icon. Read more at the Society’s “Dear Oregon” blog: The Life and Legacy of Heritage Tree #1
 Staff from PP&R’s Urban Forestry and Carpentry teams collaborated to hand craft benches from Heritage Tree #1’s salvaged wood, which is being installed at Portland community centers. The first bench was presented to the Mt. Scott Community Center at the April 11, 2026, Tree Summit. Photo courtesy of Samantha Wolf.
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Councilors delivered a balanced budget for fiscal year 2026-2027, successfully closing a record gap of over $160 million. Balancing the budget required the council to make painful decisions as they considered more than 40 amendments. They may propose more amendments before final adoption next month.
The Trust for Public Land released its annual ParkScore index for 2026, ranking Portland's park system 9th nationally among the 100 most populated cities in the United States. This is the fourth year in a row that Portland's park system has been among the top 10 nationally.
From late May through September, Environmental Services tests water quality weekly at five popular Willamette River recreation locations and shares the results every Friday. The first results of the season will be posted on May 22.
May is Mental Health Awareness Month—a time dedicated to reducing stigma, promoting public understanding, and supporting individuals affected by mental health challenges. The Portland Police Bureau remains committed to these goals through ongoing training, engagement, and visible support.
Measure 51, approved by voters in 1986, amended City Charter to allow the Auditor to conduct performance audits. Since then, the Portland City Auditor has released over 250 performance audits.
At its introduction, performance auditing grew from the accounting profession and sought to provide a new way of looking at program results to save money and improve local government services. Portland was considered a leader in performance audits amongst local jurisdictions.
People in the news
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Join your neighbors in East Portland at a one-stop-shop for resources to save money and stay healthy!
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May is international Building Safety Month, and the City of Portland is highlighting professionals who are dedicated to the safety of buildings in our city. In this video, Natalie Didion, the City of Portland’s Building Official, highlights the importance of building safety, the professionals who are dedicated to safe buildings, and the steps we can take to make our homes and surroundings safer.
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This November, Portlanders will vote for six City Council seats in Districts 3 and 4 and the City Auditor. The candidate filing period opens on June 3, 2026. Portland City Elections invites interested candidates to register for the Candidate Filing Webinar on Thursday, May 28, to learn about filing, resources, and ask questions.
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Join Portland’s Office of Arts & Culture and other partners at a family-friendly community painting party on Saturday, July 11, 2026. Sign up today and help revive a plaza in the South Park Blocks!
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What comes to mind when you think of Portland’s Inner Eastside? Walkability, close access to everyday needs, and charming neighborhoods? Expensive homes might also come to mind. What if more people with a broader range of incomes could live in this area? That’s the question that the Inner Eastside Zoning Project is exploring by bringing greater housing diversity to the area.
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New job openings at the City of Portland
Featured job
The Office of Community-Based Police Accountability (OCPA) is a newly established, independent oversight body created following voter-approved changes to the Portland City Charter and Code.
This office represents a significant evolution in how the City ensures accountability, transparency, and community-centered oversight of the Portland Police Bureau (PPB).
OCPA operates independently to conduct investigations of sworn employees and supervisors thereof within the Portland Police Bureau, ensure fair and impartial review processes, and elevate community voice in accountability systems. The office works in partnership with the Community Board for Police Accountability (CBPA), a volunteer governing body composed of community members, which holds decision-making authority regarding findings and discipline.
This is a rare opportunity to build and lead a new public institution at the intersection of public service, justice, and community trust.
New job openings
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Archives and Records Management Assistant (Community Service Aide I) - (Limited Duration)
- Botanic Technician I – Generalist (Protect the Best Program)
- CCTV Camera Operator (Environmental Systems Maintenance Technician)
- Central Precinct Administrative Supervisor (Supervisor I - Exempt)
- Environmental Systems Maintenance Supervisor I – NE
- Maintenance Supervisor I - E
- Parks Technician - CL - Multiple Vacancies
- Portland Streetcar Operations Supervisor (Supervisor I - NE)
- Recreation Leader – Generalist
How to Apply Session
Curious about working for the City of Portland, but not sure where to start? Come join us for an interactive webinar where we'll walk you through the basics and share some helpful tips along the way. To learn more and find upcoming sessions check out our website here.
Next Session: Thursday, May 27, 2026 from 5:30 – 7 PM (PST)
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Grants and funding
Funded by the Portland Clean Energy Community Benefits Fund, planning grants support organizations in conducting assessments or planning needed to develop a full project proposal. Implementation grants can be used for projects that advance economic, social, and climate justice. The 2026 Community Grants funding cycle will offer up to $60 million across all grant types and funding areas. Funding limits (grant caps) vary based on the type of project proposed.
Who's Eligible: 501(c) and 521(a) nonprofit entities
Application Deadline: May 27, 2026 at 5:00 p.m.
Prosper Portland provides funding to property owners and small business owners who are in the process of negotiating a lease. Grant funds may be used for tenant improvements, space-related soft costs, and permitting support to ready space to open for business.
Who's Eligible: Property owners and business owners in the Interstate Corridor TIF District and the Gateway Regional Center TIF District.
Application Deadline: Ongoing
Prosper Portland provides funding to small businesses located in the City of Portland that have sustained physical and economic damage due to break-ins and vandalism. Grants assist eligible businesses to remain open and operational and contribute to maintaining a healthy street environment. Eligible entities may receive up to $25,000 over the life of the program for eligible repairs.
Who's Eligible: Small businesses and nonprofit organizations occupying a ground-floor storefront
Application Deadline: Ongoing
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Give us your feedback
Businesses & Multifamily property managers: We want to hear about your experience with garbage & recycling! Take a short survey by Friday, May 22, and you could win a $100 gift card! Take the survey.
Your feedback will help the City evaluate what’s working — and what needs improvement — in Portland’s commercial waste system. If you run a business or manage a property, we want to hear from you!
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Serve on a board or committee
Do you live or work in East Portland? Want to help shape the future of the city? Consider joining the Community Involvement Committee! We are recruiting for two representatives of District 1. The Community Involvement Committee advises on community engagement practices for our planning projects that shape a wide range of policies – from housing and economic development to environmental protection and historic preservation. Applications are due May 31.
The Golf Advisory Committee serves as a communication link between the city, the public golfer and the golf course concessionaires. The Committee makes recommendations to Portland Parks & Recreation Bureau Director. Applications due May 31, 2026.
The New Portlanders Policy Commission (NPPC) works to integrate immigrant and refugee communities’ voices into the City of Portland's policies and decision-making. NPPC members are immigrants, refugees, community advocates, and live, work, play, or pray in the City of Portland. Applications due June 14, 2026.
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Portland City Council
Not sure what district you’re in?
Check our district map to find your district and your City Councilors.
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Jump on the City Bike Bus next Wednesday, May 27! Do you commute to work downtown? Want a chance to try out bike commuting with other Portlanders? Join the City Bike Bus every fourth Wednesday of the month through September! We'll be riding next Wednesday, May 27, on eight unique routes from across Portland.
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Request an accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) for any City of Portland program, service, event, or activity. To ensure the best response, please make your request at least five business days before the program or event, if possible.
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Your Portland moment
Portland City Archives, AD/22805
The Indochinese Culture & Service Center, now known as Immigrant and Refugee Community Organization (IRCO), launched their Transportation Project in 1979. The program provided bus orientations and individual escort services for Portland’s refugee community members.
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Traducción e Interpretación | Biên Dịch và Thông Dịch | अनुवादन तथा व्याख्या
口笔译服务 | Устный и письменный перевод | Turjumaad iyo Fasiraad
Письмовий і усний переклад | Traducere și interpretariat | Chiaku me
Awewen Kapas
Translation and Interpretation: 3-1-1
The City of Portland ensures meaningful access and reasonably provides: translation, interpretation, modifications, accommodations, alternative formats, auxiliary aids and services. To request these services, call 311 for Relay Service or TTY: 711.
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