Portland Harbor Common

Portland, Maine, is celebrated for its working waterfront, vibrant arts and food scene, and coastal access that draws residents and visitors to the harbor year-round. Trust for Public Land (TPL) has a track record of helping expand ways for people to experience Portland’s shoreline, including supporting the creation of the Bayside Trail.

Now, TPL is partnering with the City of Portland and the Portland Parks Conservancy on the city’s next signature park effort: Portland Harbor Common. After more than five years of planning, partners broke ground in spring 2026 on the first phase of the effort at a 3.5-acre site on a former ferry queuing area. Together, we’re working to transform what is currently a crumbling surface parking lot into a welcoming public greenspace, preserving waterfront access as this district rapidly develops.

The first phase will add new walking and biking paths, trees and native plantings, lawn areas, space for community events and food trucks, along with lighting and parking that supports nearby water-dependent uses. The City’s public art committee is also commissioning an installation for the site, underscoring the park’s role as a place to experience culture, gather, and enjoy the views.

As the project moves beyond the first phase toward a broader vision for the eastern waterfront, TPL is contributing park design support, fundraising capacity, and robust community engagement to ensure the waterfront remains a public place that reflects local needs so that Maine residents and visitors can continue to enjoy and access the joys of Portland’s waterfront.