Portland Parks & Recreation (PP&R) announces that all city-owned athletic and ball fields will remain closed through at least Thursday, October 20, 2016, due to safety concerns and saturated conditions related to heavy rain. The fields have been closed since Friday, October 14.
The field closure impacts only grass fields at Portland Parks & Recreation sites, as well as events which PP&R had permitted at Portland Public Schools facilities. The citywide closure does NOT impact synthetic turf fields, which are designed for all-weather play. On Thursday, October 20, PP&R will re-evaluate the grass fields and make a determination on if the closures need to be extended, with user safety in mind.
Wet conditions on fields citywide have left many PP&R athletic fields with standing water, mud, slippery turf, and other poor conditions that may impact athletes’ safety. The conditions hamper the ability for PP&R maintenance crews to care for the fields. Portland Parks & Recreation turf experts stressed the importance of preserving the grass at this time so that fall sports seasons can be completed on those fields in the coming weeks.
All people who have been granted permits for events on PP&R athletic and ball fields will have their money refunded. Portland Parks & Recreation makes safety its top priority, though we understand some athletes will be disappointed.
Mark Ross – Public Information Officer
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