Portland to Break Ground on New Waterfront Park

The 3.5-acre public greenspace will transform a former ferry queuing area into a hub for events and recreation.

Apr. 8, 2026 at 8:11pm

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An abstract, impressionistic scene of people walking along a waterfront promenade, with the distant outline of trees and buildings visible through a hazy veil of warm, golden light, conceptually representing the peaceful and inviting atmosphere of the new public park.The new Portland Harbor Common park will provide a tranquil public space for the community to gather and enjoy the city's scenic waterfront.Portland Today

After years of planning and fundraising, the City of Portland and the Portland Parks Conservancy will break ground on a new 3.5-acre waterfront park called Portland Harbor Common. The park, located at the corner of Commercial and India Streets, will feature walking and biking trails, trees, native plantings, lawn areas, space for events and food trucks, and more. The project aims to preserve public access to the waterfront as the surrounding area undergoes rapid development.

Why it matters

This new park is part of a broader effort to turn Portland's eastern waterfront into a public greenspace extending from the Maine State Pier to the new Portland Foreside development. By transforming a former parking lot into an inviting public space, the city hopes to bring the community together and maintain access to the waterfront as the area sees significant changes.

The details

The park will be built on the former queuing lines for the now-defunct Nova Scotia ferry. After more than five years of planning and $2.5 million in fundraising led by the Portland Parks Conservancy, the parking lot will be transformed into a network of trails, greenery, and event spaces. The city paid $150,000 to design the park, and additional phases are being planned for the area east of Ocean Gateway to the Eastern Promenade.

  • The groundbreaking ceremony will be held on Friday, April 10, 2026.
  • The new park is expected to open by the end of 2026.

The players

Ethan Hipple

Portland's director of parks, recreation, and facilities.

Richard Barringer

The late first director of the Bureau of Public Lands and former commissioner of the Department of Conservation, who initially pitched the idea for the park in 2020.

Jack Phillips

Executive director of the Portland Parks Conservancy, which led the $2.5 million fundraising effort for the park.

Sebago Technics

The firm that was paid $150,000 by the city to design the park.

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What they’re saying

“This new park will invite the public to gather by the water to take in the views, to enjoy local food, and to take part in cultural events that will bring us together.”

— Ethan Hipple, Portland's director of parks, recreation, and facilities

“This project transforms a crumbling surface parking lot into a beautiful new park in one of the most prominent and scenic locations in all of Portland.”

— Jack Phillips, Executive director of the Portland Parks Conservancy

What’s next

The city is currently weighing names for the park and soliciting ideas from the public. A naming committee consisting of city officials is expected to make a recommendation to the city's Sustainability and Transportation Committee in the coming weeks, and the City Council will then need to approve the final selection. The city's Public Art Committee is also commissioning a new installation for the space.

The takeaway

This new waterfront park represents an important investment in preserving public access to Portland's scenic coastline as the surrounding area undergoes significant development. By transforming a former parking lot into a vibrant community hub, the city and local conservancy are ensuring that residents and visitors can continue to enjoy the city's natural assets for generations to come.