Portland Parks & Recreation Reopens Most Playing Fields

PORTLAND, OR – Most of Portland’s playing fields reopened yesterday, according to Portland Parks & Recreation officials.

Events were cancelled or postponed when several sports fields were closed about a week ago due to sustained rain that saturated park grounds and made the playing turf unsafe.

Most grass playing fields were reopened for sports such as lacrosse and/or soccer on April 3, Parks & Recreation spokesman Mark Ross said. Baseball and softball fields have been reopened for permitted games only.

Playing fields two and three at Gabriel Park and all the playing fields at Westmoreland Park remain closed “due to continued unplayable conditions,” Ross said, adding that only games previously scheduled by permit through the Parks & Recreation customer service center will be allowed on the open playing fields.

Parks & Recreation officials will continue to monitor playing field conditions daily, Ross said. For those that have been reopened, however, Ross provided a checklist for prospective park users to ensure safety and to prevent undue wear and tear on soft, easily damaged turf.

• If there is standing water or visible mud on a field, do not play.
• If you step on your field and sink down an inch or more, do not play.
• Please do not try to remove any water, dirt or mud from fields.

"Any damage inflicted on playing surfaces this spring can result in ongoing safety issues during the peak summer season, as well as increased costs for repair and maintenance," Ross said.

Photo Courtesy: Portland Parks & Recreation – "Unplayable field conditions persist at parts of Gabriel Park."