POSTED OCTOBER 17, 2016 - UPDATED OCTOBER 24, 2016
(Portland, OR)-
Portland Parks & Recreation grass athletic fields remain open for play on Monday, 10/24/16, with the exception of Gabriel Park's Field #2.
Portland Parks & Recreation (PP&R) announces that with one exception, all city-owned athletic and ball fields remain open for play as of Monday, October 24, 2016, after a closure due to safety concerns and saturated conditions related to heavy rain. The sole exception is Gabriel Park's Field #2, which remains closed due to standing water.
PP&R will continue to evaluate conditions on all grass fields, including Gabriel Park's Field #2, and make determinations on if the facilities can remain open for use, with user safety in mind.
All grass fields were closed from Friday, October 14 through Friday, October 21, 2016. The field closure impacted 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 did NOT impact synthetic turf fields, which are designed for all-weather play.
During recent heavy rains, wet conditions on fields citywide left many PP&R athletic fields with standing water, mud, slippery turf, and other poor conditions that may have impacted athletes' safety. The conditions also hampered 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 had been granted permits for canceled games and 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 were disappointed.
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