Earlier this summer, we announced that Portland was in the running to be named "America's Most Natural City" in a contest sponsored by Safeway. Today, we're very proud to share that we've won! 

As the winning city, we received a $20,000 grant and 25 new picnic tables for our parks.

This morning, Nick joined Parks staff, Safeway representatives, and other partners at East Portland's Gilbert Park to officially accept a check from Safeway.

This morning's event was also a celebration to mark the completion of Parks' latest E205 project, which added a new cedar chip track, park benches, and other amenities to Gilbert Primary Park and Gilbert Park Elementary School.

This new funding will support other needed improvements to East Portland parks through our E205 initiative. To those who voted - thank you for your help!

Special thanks to our great partners at Safeway, who help us offer free lunches to children in need each Summer. Since 2009, Safeway has contributed $35,000 to our Summer Free for All program.

"Portland gets picnic tables for being 'most natural city'" - Portland Tribune

"Portland is America's Most Natural City!" - Safeway on Facebook

"Portland named 'America's Most Natural City'" - Portland Business Journal

"Portland parks wins $20,000 in Safeway Facebook contest" - The Oregonian