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Approved by Portland voters in 2020, the Parks Local Option Levy (Parks Levy) is a property tax of $0.80 per $1,000 of Assessed Value that will raise approximately $47 million per year for five years, starting fall 2021. It provides critical operating funding for the PP&R parks system and programs.
Visit our 2025 Parks Levy webpage for information on the Parks Levy that passed in November 2025.
Annual Reports
Year 4
2024-25 Parks Levy Annual Report: Executive Summary
- Resumen ejecutivo de los impuestos para los parques de 2024-25: Informe anual
- Сбор за парки 2024-25. Основные положения: Год 4. Годовой отчет.
- Tóm Tắt Báo cáo Parks Levy năm 2024-25: Báo cáo Thường niên Năm 4
- 2024-25年 Parks Levy (公园征费) 执行摘要
2024-25 Parks Levy Annual Report (full report)
Watch the presentation of the FY 2024-25 reports to the Climate, Resilience, and Land Use Committee and the full City Council acceptance.
Year 3
2023-24 Parks Levy Annual Report: Executive Summary
- Resumen ejecutivo de los impuestos para los parques de 2023-24: Informe anual
- Сбор за парки 2023-24. Основные положения: Год 3. Годовой отчет.
- Tóm Tắt Báo cáo Parks Levy năm 2023-24: Báo cáo Thường niên Năm 3
- 2023-24年 Parks Levy (公园征费) 执行摘要
2023-24 Parks Levy Annual Report (full report)
Watch the presentation of the FY 2023-24 reports and City Council's acceptance.
Year 2
2022-23 Parks Levy Annual Report: Executive Summary
- Resumen ejecutivo de los impuestos para los parques de 2022-23: Informe anual
- Сбор за парки 2022-23. Основные положения: Год 2. Годовой отчет.
- Tóm Tắt Báo cáo Parks Levy năm 2022-23: Báo cáo Thường niên Năm 2
- 2022-23年 Parks Levy (公园征费) 执行摘要
2022-23 Parks Levy Annual Report (full report)
Watch the presentation of the FY 2022-23 reports and City Council's acceptance.
Year 1
2021-22 Parks Levy Annual Report: Executive Summary
- Resumen ejecutivo de los impuestos para los parques de 2021-22: Informe anual
- Сбор за парки 2021-22. Основные положения: Год 1. Годовой отчет.
- Tóm Tắt Báo cáo Parks Levy năm 2021-22: Báo cáo Thường niên Năm 1
- 2021-22年 Parks Levy (公园税) 执行摘要: 第一年年度报告
2021-22 Parks Levy Annual Report (full report)
Watch the presentation of the FY 2021-22 reports and City Council's acceptance.
Audit
As part of the 2020 Parks Local Option Levy measure requirement, the PP&R committed to voters they would conduct an independent performance audit of the 2020 Parks Local Option Levy. The audit, completed by Sjoberg Evashenk Consulting, Inc. in December 2024, found:
- Parks Levy funds were used for their intended purposes
- PP&R has good tracking and financial systems
The report shows that Portlanders are receiving services they voted for, and that PP&R is transparently and accurately accounting for every Parks Levy dollar spent.
Read the full audit report.
Parks Levy Oversight Committee
The Parks Levy Oversight Committee (PLOC) is composed of five members, selected from an open public applicant pool, appointed by the PP&R Director. The PLOC reviews program implementation, advises on transparency and communication strategies, and will counsel on an independent audit process. They report annually to City Council regarding program progress. Members meet quarterly and review information produced by PP&R staff to verify compliance with the purposes set forth in the Parks Levy as approved by the voters.
Read the Parks Levy Oversight Committee's Annual Report on FY 2024-25
Additional information, meeting notes, previous annual reports, and more can be found on the Parks Levy Oversight Committee page.
Additional Resources
Parks Levy Commitments from the November 2020 Voter Pamphlet
(Exhibit C/Ballot Title) Parks Levy funds will:
- Enhance and preserve parks, rivers, wetlands, trees, and other important natural features in urban areas for the benefit of all Portlanders and wildlife;
- Provide park and recreation services to diverse populations including communities of color, seniors, teens, households experiencing poverty, immigrants and refugees, and people living with disabilities;
- Increase opportunities for communities of color and children experiencing poverty to connect with nature;
- Prevent cuts to recreation programs, closures of community centers and pools; and
- Enhance park maintenance to keep parks clean and safe, including litter and hazardous waste removal, restroom cleaning, and playground safety.
(Exhibit D/Explanatory Statement) The services and programs to be funded by this measure are planned to include, but are not limited to:
- Protect water quality and wildlife habitat, control erosion, remove invasive species in 8,000 acres of natural area.
- Deliver recreational programs, including, but not limited to, environmental education and access to nature for youth, summer camps, family-friendly movies and concerts, fitness and arts classes, teen- and senior-focused programs, life-saving swim lessons, and a summer playground program serving free lunches to children experiencing hunger.
- Remove financial barriers for low-income households by ending current dependence on recreation fee revenues, allowing an equity-focused delivery of community events and programs and reducing the likelihood of further cuts to recreation offerings.
- Clean litter and hazardous waste in parks and natural areas, maintain grounds and landscaping, provide safety checks on play equipment, improve preventative and traditional maintenance.
- Keep public restrooms open and cleaner.
- Plant new trees in communities where today canopy coverage is lower, to improve air and water quality, diminish the impacts of climate change, and provide wildlife habitat.
- Protect Portland’s 1.2 million park trees by performing proactive maintenance, safety checks, hazard removal, and replacement of damaged trees in parks and natural areas.
- Modernize data systems to improve internal efficiency.
- Prioritize services for communities of color and households experiencing poverty, including equity-centered engagement and outreach, community partnership grants, and increased engagement with volunteer and partner groups.
A community oversight committee will be appointed to review levy expenditures and to report annually to City Council. The Measure also directs the Bureau to provide for a performance audit to ensure that services funded by the levy are consistent with voter intent.
Read the full resolution to refer the Parks Levy to Portland voters on the November 2020 ballot.
Parks Levy Funding and the PP&R Budget
Budgeting of Parks Levy funds goes through the same process that the entire PP&R budget goes through. The budget is shaped by staff input and the Parks Budget Advisory Committee. The requested budget is submitted to the City Budget Office, reviewed by the Mayor, and adopted by City Council.
Learn more about the Parks Levy in the PP&R budget.
History of Parks Levy
Follow the journey and history of the Parks Levy.