PP&R and Under Armour celebrate new soccer field at Lents Park

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Under Armour funded entire project; new playground coming soon also, thanks to the Parks Replacement Bond
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POSTED AUGUST 30, 2017

(Portland, OR) –

Under Armour funded entire project; new playground coming soon also, thanks to the Parks Replacement Bond

Portland Parks & Recreation (PP&R) invites the public and members of the media to the celebration of the new, all-weather soccer field at Lents Park (SE 92nd Avenue and Holgate Street).

Under Armour provided the new turf field via an innovative public-private partnership, first announced in July, 2015. The athletic apparel and footwear company donated all funding for the Lents Park soccer field project, with the City’s gratitude. The project also includes new seating, fencing, a new access path, and new park trees.

Image removed.

WHEN: Thursday, August 31, 2017; 5pm-8pm
WHERE: Lents Park, SE 92nd Avenue and Holgate Street

Join the party to celebrate the completion of the new Lents Park soccer field. Free food from Churros Locos, kids’ activities (including face painting by Mystique’s Fancy Faces), and more family fun. Brief remarks from Parks Commissioner Amanda Fritz and PP&R Director Mike Abbaté begin at 6:15pm.

Lents Park will also have a brand-new playground, opening soon, as part of the Parks Replacement Bond. Portlanders approved the bond measure by an overwhelming margin in 2014, to deal with some of the most critical major maintenance needs across the PP&R system.

"We have huge gaps in our parks system, especially in east Portland," notes Portland Parks Commissioner Amanda Fritz. "PP&R welcomes public-private partnerships to strengthen neighborhood livability. This improvement project is another great demonstration of corporate support stepping up to help provide park services in Lents. I am grateful to Under Armour and to all of our partners - past, present and future."

All facilities at Lents Park are open for public use, and can also be rented by youth and adult soccer clubs, or any members of the public. For permits and to reserve the facilities, you may contact the Portland Parks & Recreation Customer Service Center at 503-823-PLAY(7529).

“As Under Armour establishes roots in the city of Portland we were thrilled to invest in this component of the community-driven Master Plan, and to provide athletes of all ages with greater to access to sports and recreation,” said Stacey Ullrich, Senior Director of Global Philanthropy for Under Armour. “Our collaboration with PP&R and the Lents community is another example of the power of sport to unite and we were privileged to play a part in these community enhancements.”

WIN is Under Armour’s charitable initiative to empower youth and athletes of the NEXT generation by providing greater access to sports. By improving public parks, Under Armour hopes to expand more sporting opportunities for inner city youth and foster a stronger sense of community through recreation.

ABOUT THE LENTS PARK SOCCER FIELD

A new, all-weather, turf soccer field, paid for entirely by Under Armour, is now open. Project improvements include:

  • A new synthetic turf field
  • Seating
  • Low perimeter fencing around the field
  • A new access path
  • New trees planted, including: six Red Alder, seven Douglas Firs, and five Eddie’s White Wonder Dogwood trees

 For more information, please visit the Lents Park project page at portlandoregon.gov/parks/68209.

“PP&R thanks Under Armour for their generous donation to the Lents Park improvements,” says Portland Parks & Recreation Director Mike Abbaté. “And we are very grateful to the Lents Neighborhood Association and entire community, for their engagement in the planning and design process for the soccer field project.

The all-weather soccer field project was funded by Under Armour. The brand-new playground, set to open soon, is a Parks Replacement Bond project. parksresplacementbond.org

Portland Parks & Recreation has a goal, established in the Parks 2020 Vision, to provide ready access (1/2 a mile) to a park or natural area for 100% of Portlanders. The charts on the below link identify progress made since 2006. portlandoregon.gov/parks/article/538615

As of 2016, 81% of Portland households were within ½ mile of a park or natural area. In east Portland, the figure was 61%. Portland Parks & Recreation recognizes this disparity and continues to work with equity as a top priority. The Bureau is proud to enhance Lents Park, a community centerpiece, with more recreational opportunities, and thanks our partners.

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