Ryan Carlson

I'm writing to ask that you support the 2018 Portland Parks & Recreation (PP&R) budget request and allocation for the Vera Katz Eastbank Esplanade. PP&R has proposed a budget that allocates $500,000 for maintenance and a yearly amount of $250,000 for park rangers. However the city budget���s director has not approved this allocation and we need to insist that it be included.

The Eastbank is one of the most treasured and heavily used trails in Portland, with an estimated 400 users per hour on a daily basis. It is ADA accessible, open to all ages and abilities, and is used by cyclists every day in all seasons.

The Eastbank was completed in spring of 2001 and will be celebrating its 20th birthday in 2021. After two decades of tremendous use, it is in seriously need of additional maintenance dollars and a yearly allocation for park rangers to patrol the trail and adjacent spaces. Let's keep this resource intact for years to come.

If you have moment please write Mayer Ted Wheeler's office before May 10th.

Thanks so much for the support. And enjoy the Eastbank!

Ryan Carlson

Mayor Ted Wheeler and the City Council

Portland City Hall

1221 SE 4th Avenue

Portland, OR 97204