In person. Free.
Join us outside!
Join us for a preview of Portland's newest public spaces: First Light Commons + Reiche Playground
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Our 2026 series continues in Portland, Maine...
at 2pm
The afternoon begins at First Light Commons, a new 3.5-acre public park transforming Portland’s eastern waterfront from a paved vehicle queuing area into a vibrant, welcoming green space. Developed through a partnership between the City of Portland and Portland Parks Conservancy, the new park will reconnect the city to its working waterfront with an expanded multi-use trail, waterside promenade, flexible gathering spaces, open lawns, native and salt-tolerant plantings, and new trees. The name "First Light Commons" honors the region’s Wabanaki heritage as well as connections to the Underground Railroad, and is part of the City's waterfront master plan to develop an interconnected linear open space resiliency system along the waterfront, expanding storm mitigation strategies.
First Light Commons officially opens later this fall. Join us to preview the design, learn about the community-driven process and phased implementation, and see how this once utilitarian stretch of waterfront is being transformed.
First Light Commons site tour will be led by
Margo Barajas, PLA, Sebago Technics
Nathan Frazee, City of Portland Parks, Recreation, and Facilities Department
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at 3:45pm
The afternoon continues at the newly renovated Reiche School Playground, one of Portland's most heavily used neighborhood play spaces. The renovation transforms a 23-year-old playground into a renewed public landscape serving both Reiche Community School and the surrounding West End neighborhood. Shaped by a community engagement process that included design charrettes, public meetings, and input from students, school staff, and neighbors, the new playground incorporates nature-based play features, including logs, boulders, timber elements, and boardwalks, alongside traditional play equipment, new plantings, and gathering spaces,.
Reiche Playground officially reopens with a ribbon cutting November 2. Later that week, we will exlopre how thoughtful design and community collaboration can create engaging, multifunctional play environments to serve children, families, and the broader neighborhood.
Reiche Playground site tour will be led by
Tatyana Vashchenko, PLA, City of Portland Parks, Recreation, and Facilities Department
Addy Smith-Reiman, PTO Playground Committee Chair and director of the Spatial Design Academy programs
Come to one or the other or both!
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All are welcome.
Members and non-members, coworkers + students, friends + families + kids. Tickets are FREE, tour size limited, registration appreciated. Please come dressed for the weather, prepared to walk outside.
We aim to go in most weather. We will email all ticket holders and post any changes here.
We look forward to exploring with you!
