Portland officials outline how proposed parks levy would sustain services, raise about $84 million first year

PORTLAND, Oct. 15, 2025 — City and parks officials told the Tax Supervising and Conservation Commission at a Oct. 15 public hearing that a proposed Portland parks local option levy is designed to sustain current service levels, protect natural areas and preserve program access while the city develops longer-term finance plans.

"Portlanders love our parks. Our parks are essential public infrastructure as vital to our city's health and livability as streets or utilities," Jessica Green, executive director of the Portland Parks Foundation, told the commission. She said the 2025 levy proposal was crafted to be “lean, centered on core operations, and transparent to voters,” and noted new accountability measures including a community oversight committee reporting directly to city council.

The levy, referred to the ballot by city council, is estimated to raise about $84,000,000 in its first year, city officials said. Bureau presenters and council members told the TSCC the proposal is intended primarily to maintain the current FY 25-26 service levels: roughly 40% for neighborhood park maintenance and cleanliness, 40% for preserving program access, and…