May 5, 2010

Portland Parks & Recreation has a long history of offering free summer programs in our parks. In healthy economies, these programs are important – in tough economic times like these, they are essential.

Thanks to partnerships with over 50 sponsors, this year’s Summer Free for All will continue this Portland tradition.

One of this year’s highlights will be the Washington Park Summer Festival, a free series of concerts held August 5 – 14. A concert series of this size requires a lead sponsor, and we are proud to announce our renewed partnership with Daimler. Without Daimler’s extraordinary act of corporate citizenship, we wouldn’t be able to offer such an amazing lineup of performers.

Providing opportunities for people to come together for free, fun, high-quality entertainment is one of my top priorities as Parks Commissioner, and I am pleased that this year’s festival will be as exciting as you’ve come to expect.

Other Summer Free for All activities include movies in the park, free family swim times at our pools, concerts in the park, playground programs which provides safe and supervised activities, and free lunches for children who need them most.

For a complete list of our Summer Free for All lineup, visit portlandparks.org or sign up for daily Twitter updates.

And be sure to take note of the Daimler Truck, highlighting the summer concert series, in the June 5th Starlight Parade.

I look forward to seeing you out and about this summer!

Nick