Meet Director Adena Long
Adena Long is the Director of Portland Parks & Recreation, where she manages one of the country’s most comprehensive and diverse park systems. Her portfolio includes the stewardship of 154 developed parks, 8,000 acres of natural areas, four million trees, 158 miles of trails, 12 community and art centers, 11 indoor and outdoor pools, six golf courses, a motor raceway, 60 community gardens, the world’s smallest park, and more.
With nearly 3,000 employees in peak season and an annual budget of $550 million, Director Long is committed to developing a legacy of dedicated parks and recreation professionals and to building and sustaining a renowned parks and recreation system that serves all Portlanders. Her tenure has been characterized by a strong focus on inclusivity, equity, and accessibility, reflecting her belief that parks are vital to the community's health and well-being.
Appointed in February 2019, Director Long assumed leadership of Portland Parks & Recreation during a challenging period. Under her guidance, the bureau not only recovered from a period of devastating budget cuts, service reductions and a global pandemic, but is back to providing the services Portlanders expect and deserve from their parks and recreation system. A significant factor in the successful turnaround is the Parks Local Option Levy, which Director Long championed and Portland voters approved in 2020. This levy secured essential funding and is moving Portland Parks & Recreation toward a sustainable future.
Director Long's career in public service began in New York City, where she joined the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation as a seasonal Urban Park Ranger in 1997. Her early experiences provided her with invaluable insights into park operations and public engagement. She quickly rose through the ranks, becoming the first woman of color and the youngest individual to serve as Parks Borough Commissioner. Her career also includes significant roles as Assistant Commissioner for Public Programs and Deputy Commissioner for Urban Park Service and Public Programs, where she oversaw departments focused on park rules and regulations compliance, emergency management, environmental education, wildlife conservation and recreation programming and facilities.
Director Long was honored for her service to the Oregon Recreation and Parks Association, which presented her with the 2023 President’s Award for her contributions as a member of a task force that supported the development of the organization’s Leadership Academy. This award recognizes spectacular work in the parks and recreation industry. And in 2024, Director Long’s commitment to equitable access was highlighted through the partnership of Portland Parks & Recreation and Portland Public Schools as they launched “Schools to Pools,” a pilot program that offered free, life-saving swim instruction to nearly 800 second graders in its inaugural year.
In addition to her professional accomplishments, Director Long is deeply committed to community engagement and environmental stewardship. She has played a pivotal role in designing and creating parks and recreational facilities, as well as preserving and restoring natural areas and urban forests. Her passion for providing low-barrier access to recreational opportunities for all has been a driving force throughout her career.
Director Long holds a Bachelor of Science from the University of Connecticut's School of Agriculture and Natural Resources and a Master of Science in Non-Profit Management from The New School University. An active member of the Portland community, she manages the Portland Parks & Recreation Advisory Board, serves as an ex-officio member of the Portland Parks Foundation, serves on the Council of Public Advisors to the Intertwine Alliance, and is an active board member with the Oregon Humane Society where she co-chairs the DEI committee. Director Long recently joined the City Parks Alliance Board of Directors.
Director Long's leadership, vision, and dedication to public service continue to make a significant impact on Portland's parks and recreation system, fostering a vibrant and inclusive community for all who live, work, play, and visit Portland. She lives in Southwest Portland with her husband, Jon, and their German Shepherd, Selina. Outside of her professional duties, she enjoys exploring the Pacific Northwest’s natural beauty, engaging in yard work, watching true crime, listening to 90s hip-hop, and playing darts.