Portland Parks & Recreation’s popular series of “$5 5K” races return for 2013 at sixPortlandparks, including two new sites.

The races filled to capacity, with waiting lists, last year. Races take place monthly from May through October.

The races are designed for walkers and runners all ages and abilities, including first-time and less experienced runners, and are family-friendly. 

Races begin at 9 a.m. with the free, 1K youths fun run at 8:45 a.m.

This year, two new parks, Fernhill and Laurelhurst, will be on the circuit to better provide for the large number of runners expected.

Adults run for only $5. Youths 17 and younger run for free. Space is limited, and last year all races were full a month in advance, so early registration is encouraged.

Register for all races at this website, or by phone at (503) 823-2525. Or at any Portland Parks community center.

Race schedule:

Fernhill Park (Northeast Portland) - May 19
Lents Park – (East Portland) June 9
Gabriel Park (Southwest Portland)- July 14
Laurelhurst Park (Southeast Portland, NEW for 2013!) - August 11
Westmoreland Park (Southeast Portland) - September 22
Pier Park (North Portland)- October 20

For more information, call (503) 823-5300 or visit portlandparks.org.

Eastside Portland gains new parks

The E205 Initiative, to enhance and improve parks in East Portland, has been completed.

Championed by City Commissioner Nick Fish, the E205 Initiative improves existing city parks and facilities in the area east of Interstate 205. The region does not have the rich tradition of parks and recreational places seen elsewhere in Portland, according to officials at Portland Parks and Recreation.

E205 is a series of projects at 12 East Portland parks and included adding new amenities that make an immediate impact, such as playgrounds, park benches, soft-surface trails, fenced off-leash areas for dogs, new and refurbished playground equipment, and adding water fountains. 

“The E205 Initiative is a tremendous first step in meeting our commitments to East Portland,” said Fish, who serves as the commissioner overseeing Parks and Recreation. “By maximizing the impact of the limited money available, we’ve quickly improved the quality of parks in East Portland. We are seeing a big impact through E205’s relatively small changes.”

 “One in five Portland families doesn’t have ready access to a park or natural area,” Fish said.  “The city proudly made the E205 Initiative a priority. And now the E205 projects have given East Portland more safe places for kids and affordable community anchors for neighborhoods.”

Partners, including the Portland Parks Foundation, helped raise funds for the E205 Initiative.

“A healthy community needs parks and every child deserves a place to play,” said Nick Hardigg, executive director of the Portland Parks Foundation. “It was gratifying to raise funds and awareness for this issue.”