Land Bank Commission — Portland, ME
Date: 2026-05-13
Time: 17:00

City of Portland
 Land Bank Commission Agenda

 The Land Bank Commission is responsible for identifying and protecting open space resources with the
 city of Portland. The Commission seeks to preserve a balance between development and conservation
 of open space important for wildlife, ecological, environmental, scenic or outdoor recreational values.




Commission Members:
Alaina Chormann, Ardath Dixon, Daniel Herzlinger, Jon Kachmar, Joshua Barber, Michael Carey, Michael
Scrameyer, Robert Foster, and Simon Thompson.

City Staff: Ethan Hipple (Parks, Recreation, and Facilities Director), Doug Roncarati (Public Works-
Stormwater Coordinator), Jessica Teesdale (PRF Sr. Executive Assistant)

 May 13, 2026
 5:00 PM
 On the second Wednesday of the month at 5:00 pm, the Portland Land Bank Commission will hold a
 meeting at Parks, Recreation, and Facilities, 212 Canco Rd., Suite A conference room.

 The Land Bank Commission will conduct this meeting in-person. Public comments may only be
 submitted in person or in writing. To submit written public comment on an agenda item, email
landbank@portlandmaine.gov. Submissions must be received by 12:00 pm the day before the Land Bank
 Commission meeting to guarantee their inclusion in the agenda packet. All submissions must include the
 person's name and legal address. To help ensure your comment is submitted for the correct item, please
 include the name of the agenda item (see below).
To view this meeting please visit the Livestream link https://portlandme.portal.civicclerk.com/event/8251/media

I. Call to Order
II. Citizen Comment Period
III. Agenda Items
 i. Acceptance of Meeting Minutes: April 8, 2026
 ii. New Business
 a. Secretary's Report
 b. Treasurer's Report
 c. Land Bank Funding
 d. 1133 Washington Ave.
 iii. Old Business
 a. Outreach Flyer
 iv. Communications and Parcel Updates
 a. Parcel Updates

 • Davis Pines
 • Hope Ave.
City of Portland
Land Bank Commission Agenda

The Land Bank Commission is responsible for identifying and protecting open space resources with the
city of Portland. The Commission seeks to preserve a balance between development and conservation
of open space important for wildlife, ecological, environmental, scenic or outdoor recreational values.




 • Murray Street
 • Redlon
 • Rocky Hill
 • Stroudwater Boat Launch
 • Stroudwater Pedestrian Bridge
 • 0 Gray Road

 b. Field Trip Meeting- June 10, 2026

 • Murray Street
 • Redlon Woods
 • Davis Pines

 c. Parks Division Report
 d. Parks Commission Report
 v. Commissioner requests for Agenda Items
IV. Adjournment

City of Portland
 Land Bank Commission Agenda

 The Land Bank Commission is responsible for identifying and protecting open space resources with the
 city of Portland. The Commission seeks to preserve a balance between development and conservation
 of open space important for wildlife, ecological, environmental, scenic or outdoor recreational values.




Commission Members:
Alaina Chormann, Ardath Dixon, Daniel Herzlinger, Jon Kachmar, Joshua Barber, Michael Carey, Michael
Scrameyer, Robert Foster, and Simon Thompson.

City Staff: Ethan Hipple (Parks, Recreation, and Facilities Director), Doug Roncarati (Public Works-
Stormwater Coordinator), Jessica Teesdale (PRF Sr. Executive Assistant)

 May 13, 2026
 5:00 PM
 On the second Wednesday of the month at 5:00 pm, the Portland Land Bank Commission will hold a
 meeting at Parks, Recreation, and Facilities, 212 Canco Rd., Suite A conference room.

 The Land Bank Commission will conduct this meeting in-person. Public comments may only be
 submitted in person or in writing. To submit written public comment on an agenda item, email
landbank@portlandmaine.gov. Submissions must be received by 12:00 pm the day before the Land Bank
 Commission meeting to guarantee their inclusion in the agenda packet. All submissions must include the
 person's name and legal address. To help ensure your comment is submitted for the correct item, please
 include the name of the agenda item (see below).
To view this meeting please visit the Livestream link https://portlandme.portal.civicclerk.com/event/8251/media

I. Call to Order
II. Citizen Comment Period
III. Agenda Items
 i. Acceptance of Meeting Minutes: April 8, 2026
 ii. New Business
 a. Secretary's Report
 b. Treasurer's Report
 c. Land Bank Funding
 d. 1133 Washington Ave.
 iii. Old Business
 a. Outreach Flyer
 iv. Communications and Parcel Updates
 a. Parcel Updates

 • Davis Pines
 • Hope Ave.



 Page 1
City of Portland
Land Bank Commission Agenda

The Land Bank Commission is responsible for identifying and protecting open space resources with the
city of Portland. The Commission seeks to preserve a balance between development and conservation
of open space important for wildlife, ecological, environmental, scenic or outdoor recreational values.




 • Murray Street
 • Redlon
 • Rocky Hill
 • Stroudwater Boat Launch
 • Stroudwater Pedestrian Bridge
 • 0 Gray Road

 b. Field Trip Meeting- June 10, 2026

 • Murray Street
 • Redlon Woods
 • Davis Pines

 c. Parks Division Report
 d. Parks Commission Report
 v. Commissioner requests for Agenda Items
IV. Adjournment




 Page 2
City of Portland | Parks, Recreation and Facilities Management
Ethan Hipple, Director
Alex Marshall, Director of Parks




Commission Members Present:
Alaina Chormann, Ardath Dixon, Jon Kachmar, Joshua Barber, Michael Carey, Michael Scrameyer,
Robert Foster, and Simon Thompson.

Commission Members Not Present: Daniel Herzlinger

City Staff: Alex Marshall (Parks Director), Jessica Teesdale (PRF Sr. Executive Assistant), Amber
Brooks (PRF PFO)

 Land Bank Commission Minutes
 April 8,2026

 Parks, Recreation, and Facilities
 212 Canco Rd. Suite A
 Portland, Maine 04103



This meeting was recorded and is available to watch on the Agendas and Meetings Portal here:

I. Call to Order- J. Kachmar called this meeting to order at 5:01 pm

II. Citizen Comment Period- George Rheault, East Bayside neighborhood

i. Public Comment Emails 2.11.2026 through 4.7.2026

III. Agenda Items

i. Acceptance of Meeting Minutes: February 11, 2026, M. Scrameyer made a motion to accept the
 minutes, seconded by A. Chormann. Passed 8-0

ii. New Business

a. Secretary's Report: D.Herzlinger not present. The COTPAC list has been added to the share
 drive.

b. Treasurer's Report: R. Foster provided a treasurer's report. The Budget update is live on the
 share drive, and it includes the Davis Pines due diligence allocation




 212 Canco Road, Suite A, Portland, Maine 04103 | parkscommission@portlandmaine.gov

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c. FY2024 Foreclosure List for Review: Commissioners requested review parameters for the
 COTAPC list; suggest adding this to the next agenda.

d. Outreach Flyer: Creating informational materials to educate stakeholders about the land bank’s
 role and opportunities.

 ●​ Draft flyer defines land bank purpose and real estate interest, featuring branding,
 community call to action, and standards for easements and conservation.
 ●​ Suggestions include emphasizing conservation easements, low-impact development, and
 the benefits of non-development.
 ●​ Consider adding language about working with developers and historical collaboration
 examples.
 ●​ Finalization involves review for consistency with city branding and obtaining city
 department approval.
 ●​ Budget considerations include printing costs and potential graphic design support.
 ●​ The flyer will feature city branding, logo, and possibly a city icon to ensure official
 recognition.

iii. Old Business

iv. Communications and Parcel Updates

a. Parks Division Report

b. Parcel Updates: Updates on specific parcels, ongoing projects, and property statuses.

 ●​ Davis Farm Road: survey work underway, expected in about 1 week; appraisal to follow in
 6-8 weeks.
 ●​ The owner of Davis Farm Road is actively marketing the property; the undeveloped
 portion may be bifurcated.
 ●​ The private road situation is complex, with discrepancies over ownership and
 maintenance responsibilities.
 ●​ The property owner of Rocky Hill is in contact; the previous owner retired, and new
 contact info is being sought.
 ●​ Other parcels like Hope Ave and Murray Street have no significant updates; development
 proposals are pending.
 ●​ The city is exploring trail connections at Redlon and other parcels, with potential funding
 and land access considerations.
 ●​ The land bank map update is pending, with efforts to coordinate with D. Roncarati and
 other staff.

c. Annual Field Trip: Planning an annual site visit to local parcels, scheduled for May or June, with
 logistics and site selection in progress.

 ●​ The goal is to visit 3 sites, typically during the May meeting, but June is preferred due to
 scheduling conflicts.
 ●​ The second Wednesday in May (May 13) and June 10 are potential dates. June 10th works

 212 Canco Road, Suite A, Portland, Maine 04103 | parkscommission@portlandmaine.gov



 Page 4
 best for most. Need to check with E. Hipple for final decision.
 ●​ The trip replaces a regular meeting, with transportation arranged via bus, driven by a
 member of PRF leadership.
 ●​ Sites under consideration include Murray Street, Redlon, Davis Farm, and other properties
 with ongoing development or interest.
 ●​ Site selection depends on geography, current project status, and relevance to agenda
 topics.
 ●​ Advertisement and reservation for the bus are required at least a week in advance.

Parks Commission Report: R. Foster provided an update from the March Parks Commission
 Workshop meeting.

 ●​ The Party in the Park is scheduled for June 16th, focusing on pedestrian safety.
 ●​ Activities include painting a crosswalk at Basement Park and possibly writing
 recommendations for the Midtown parcel.
 ●​ The city is conducting a public survey on the Bayside parcel, with results expected from
 upcoming meetings.
 ●​ The Parks Commission is actively recruiting new members, with three vacancies to fill.

v. Commissioner requests for Agenda Items

 ●​ University Park Natural Playground
 ●​ COTAPC tutorial
 ●​ Outreach Flyer
 ●​ Davis Farms
 ●​ Finalize field trip details

IV. Adjournment




 212 Canco Road, Suite A, Portland, Maine 04103 | parkscommission@portlandmaine.gov



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 ArcGIS Web Map



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 WOLCOTT ST GHTON AVE




 BEN CITY OF PORTLAND, MAINE
 DEPT. OF PUBLIC WORKS
 JAM 212 CANCO RD, SUITE B
 IN PORTLAND, MAINE 04103
 PHONE (207) 874-8801
 WAY BANCROFT ST

 LEGEND


 POMEROY ST
 Land Bank Parcels

 FELLOWS ST Phase 1
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 Land Bank: Phase 2

 Land Bank: Phase 3


 Existing Land Bank
 KENILWORTH ST Private: Taylor




 RUNNELLS ST
 Parcels
 Private: Motley St

 Private: Caroline St

 Drainage
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 RT FAIR I
PORTLAND LAND BANK HIGH PRIORITY PARCEL SUMMARY
PROPERTY NAME: DAVIS FAMILY PINES
Location: Davis Farm Road near Washington Ave extension and Falmouth town line
Size: 10 acres
Priority Scorecard: This site was ranked using the Land Bank prioritization process
and matrix (scorecard) that is on file with the Land Bank’s records. The site ranked as
a priority site since it meets many of the criteria for Land Bank properties. Although
the property is not directly connected to other parks or conserved lands and is not
within a 10-minute walk of a neighborhood, it does offer a unique opportunity for
residents to walk among old growth white pines that exist nowhere else in Portland.
Also, the property does not have competing land uses since it would be challenging to
develop due to steep slopes and water drainage patterns, and the property is within
an industrial zone not appropriate for residential housing.

Ownership: The parcel (CBL 368 B004001) is owned by 5 Davis Farm Rd, LLC. A small
portion of the proposed conservation area along the northern boundary belongs to the
adjacent building lot owned by Eugene and Richard Van Loan from Manchester, NH
(CBL 368 B001001) and is identified as 13 Davis Farm Rd.

Characteristics and Values:
This undeveloped property is unique since it contains about 5 acres of old growth
white pine (Pinus strobus) forest, one of only 11 sites statewide in Maine that was
registered with the Maine Critical Areas Program on April 20, 1979. (source: Natural
Old-Growth Forest Stands in Maine and its Relevance to the Critical Areas Program,
May 1983). Old growth stands are literally a connection to the past and have cultural
and historic value due to the age and size of the trees, with are estimated to be up
to 130ft. tall and between 150-200 years old. Additionally, old growth forest has
different habitat characteristics such as the type of vegetation present and snags
(dead trees or downed logs) that have evolved to support shelter for wildlife. In
conversations with City of Portland Forester Jeff Tarling (personal comm. Dec 2019),
the Davis Family recognized the importance of the large white pines on there
property as they started to sell it for development of the industrial park. The family
referred to the “small” and “tall” pines on their farm and seemed may have been the
original stewards of the unique white pines still standing today.
The property is adjacent to developed industrial park including buildings and parking
lots. The undeveloped parcel includes steep slopes and drainage areas that indicates
significant flow events occur on the property and drain to the lower portion of the
property abutting the Maine Turnpike. The parcel provides stormwater management




 Page 16
for the abutting buildings, parking lots and road by allowing adjacent runoff to flow
down the property to the lower wet area that eventually is hydrologically connected
to the Presumpscot River. The undisturbed state of the parcel provides wildlife
habitat that is uncommon in Portland due to the size of the white pines, and it is
assumed this site provides habitat for several bird species including owls and other
raptors that require these conditions.
The property has considerable opportunity to provide residents an opportunity to see
the City’s last stand of old growth white pine forest, which has potential to provide
cultural and educational opportunities for residents, school groups and others. The
property also currently provides recreational opportunities for employees (possibly
nearby residents) of the industrial park since there are informal paths in some areas
already; however, formal access, signage and trails as a Land Bank property would
greatly increase the recreational value to Portland’s residents.


Figure 1. Overview of the parcel showing the extent of the proposed acquisition as
well as water features and topography.




 Page 17
Figure 2. Photos of the site showing the undeveloped condition and informal
recreational uses by employees and/or residents.




 Page 18
​

​ CITY OF PORTLAND​ CITY OF PORTLAND
​ Parks, Recreation & Facilities Department​ Parks, Recreation & Facilities Department
​ Ethan Hipple, Director​ Alex Marshall, Parks Director


 Memorandum
TO: Parks Commission and Land Bank Commission
FROM: Alex Marshall, Parks Director, Parks, Recreation and Facilities Department
SUBJECT: Parks Division Update
DATE: May 2026

Parks Division Staffing
 ●​ Total Budgeted positions in Parks Division: 51
 ●​ 4 Vacancies:
 ○​ Horticulture Supervisor
 ○​ Cemetery Supervisor
 ○​ Athletic Facilities Foreperson
 ○​ Horticulturist

Citywide Unhoused Report
At this time, there are 31 encampments citywide, which is a significant increase from last month’s report
of 21. Of the 31 active tent sites, 4 of them are located on City property. Overall, in 2026, City Staff
(primarily Rangers) have tagged and removed 149 tents citywide. Park Rangers continue to tag and
remove between 5 and 20 tents from City land each week and conduct a thorough clean-up afterward
with the help of other Parks staff or contractors. At this time there is a steady uptick in tents and activity
citywide which is putting strain on our team to keep up with while also gearing up for the season.

Duck House and Fountain Installed
On Thursday, April 23rd, the City’s Parks Division placed the Deering Oaks Duck House and Fountain
within the pond for the 2026 season. You may notice that the duck house looks a little different from
recent years. Our Playgrounds Team performs maintenance work on the house each Winter and this year
they painted it to match its original colors, commemorating 140 years. This traditional color will revert to
the more familiar red color next year so enjoy it while it lasts.

The Great Portland Pick-up
We want to thank all the amazing groups for their contributions around the city during this event.
Overall, there were 18 groups citywide with over 500 volunteers doing neighborhood and park cleanups.
Hundreds of bags of trash were collected during this effort. We are so grateful for this effort and all the
work the Parks Conservancy and Sustainability Teams put in to make it happen. Well done!

Portland Harbor Common Park Ground Breaking
The currently coined ‘Portland Harbor Common Park’ broke ground on Friday, April 10th. This
monumental occasion was well attended by local business leaders, elected officials, city staff and friends.
It marked the kick off to the project which will be progressing over the next 6 months.

 212 Canco Road, Suite A • Portland, Maine 04103
 Page 19 • www.portlandmaine.gov
 parkscommission@portlandmaine.gov
​

​ CITY OF PORTLAND​ CITY OF PORTLAND
​ Parks, Recreation & Facilities Department​ Parks, Recreation & Facilities Department
​ Ethan Hipple, Director​ Alex Marshall, Parks Director



Capital Improvement Program(CIP) Council Approved List 2026
The City Council voted on the CIP for Fiscal Year(FY) 2027 on Monday, April 27, 2026. One of the
councilor amendments resulted in an increase to the contribution to the Land Bank and Public Art funds
to the full 0.5% of the CIP. Below is a list of Park Projects that were funded through this project:
 -​ Longfellow School Community Playground Improvements: $270,000
 -​ East End School Playground Design & Construction: $70,000
 -​ Deering Oaks Lighting Improvements: $550,000
 -​ Deering Oaks Roadway Repaving - Tennis Court Road: $270,000
 -​ Fencing Replacement: Various locations: $450,000
 -​ Congress Square Park: $300,000
 -​ Court Resurfacing - Various (DHS Tennis, Reiche School, Pleasant St, Taylor St): $150,000
 -​ Fitzpatrick Track Resurfacing: $500,000
 -​ Dougherty Field Skatepark Lighting: $200,000
Total = $2,760,000

Community Development Block Grant(CDBG) Allocation
The City Council approved the CDBG allocation for FY27 and Parks, Recreation & Facilities received
$250,000 to support the Community Garden rebuild needs. Since soil testing was commenced in 2024,
garden beds at Libbytown, Boyd Street, Casco Bay Common Share, and the North Street School Beds
have been raised with soil barriers installed. The remaining beds required to be raised are Payson Park,
Valley Street, Clark Street, and North Street. This funding will accomplish providing a safe space to grow
food but also improve any deteriorating infrastructure at the gardens such as sheds, fencing and water
systems.​

Park Projects and Department Updates
Staff are working on the following Park Improvement projects:
 ●​ Stroudwater Bridge: The Stroudwater Bridge has been completed. Final site work disturbance
 restorations will occur when the weather improves.
 ●​ Deering Oaks Park ADA Walkway improvements: Phase 3, providing ADA access to the wading
 ravine, was completed in the Summer of 2023. Phase 4, which is the sidewalk along Tennis Court
 Drive, has been bid and is currently under review for potential construction in the Summer of
 2026.
 ●​ Riverton Preserve: Recreation improvement plans are in progress and will consist primarily of a
 trail network with other improvements. This project is intended to fulfill LWCF conversion
 requirements, and final approval of the improvement plan rests with the state and National Park
 Service, which has a public engagement process.
 ●​ Lower Western Prom Park Improvements: This project has been bid out and did not receive a bid
 within the allocated budget, so it will be revised and re-advertised in the coming months.

 212 Canco Road, Suite A • Portland, Maine 04103
 Page 20 • www.portlandmaine.gov
 parkscommission@portlandmaine.gov
​

​ CITY OF PORTLAND​ CITY OF PORTLAND
​ Parks, Recreation & Facilities Department​ Parks, Recreation & Facilities Department
​ Ethan Hipple, Director​ Alex Marshall, Parks Director


 ●​ Longfellow Elementary School Playground: Playground Equipment has been selected. The project
 went out to bid in the Spring of 2025, only to receive one bid substantially over the budget for
 the project. It went out to bid again this Winter and staff again will be reviewing bids shortly for
 a potential Summer 2026 construction project.
 ●​ Reiche Elementary School Playground: The bids went out in the Fall of 2025, and a contractor
 has been selected to perform the work during the summer break of 2026.
 ●​ Portland Harbor Common: Groundbreaking has occurred and construction begins in early May,
 2026.
 ●​ Public Restrooms: So far, the city has installed 15 new public restrooms citywide over the past 3
 years. Recent modifications were done to the units at The Eastern Promenade, Commercial
 St/Fish Pier, and Fox Field to include a vault for increased storage capacity. 4 more public
 restrooms are on the way, with one at Lower Western Promenade, 1 at the Spring and High
 Street parking lot, and 2 at the Eastern Promenade near the existing bathhouse.
 ●​ Tyng-Tate Playground: Final designs are being completed, and the project bid documents are
 soon to be submitted to the Purchasing Department for review. With the help of a CDBG grant
 allocation in July of 2025, the project should have enough resources to be completed to the
 design's satisfaction.
 ●​ Riverton Trolley Park Recreation Improvement Project: The bid documents for the Riverton
 Trolley Park Parking Lot improvements are being finalized for an anticipated Spring 2026
 construction schedule. Once complete, the final step in completing the LWCF project
 requirements would be installing the remaining signage that has already been fabricated.
 ●​ Fore River Kayak Launch: The Land Bank has allocated funding to install a kayak launch at the
 head of the Fore River in Stroudwater Park at the corner of Congress and Waldo Streets. Parks
 Staff are exploring the options for this launch to help formalize and improve an existing use in
 this space.
 ●​ Trinity Park Reconstruction: Trinity Church Representatives and City Staff have been working to
 finalize the construction documents and design for Trinity Park. Donated funds and
 Memorandum of Understanding has been approved by City Council.




 212 Canco Road, Suite A • Portland, Maine 04103
 Page 21 • www.portlandmaine.gov
 parkscommission@portlandmaine.gov