Congress Square Park facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Congress Square Park |
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Congress square park, with The Westin Portland Harborview, formerly known as The Eastland, in the background.
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| Type | Park |
| Location | Portland, Maine, United States |
| Operated by | City of Portland, Maine |
| Open | 1982 |
| Designation | Park |
Congress Square Park is a fun and important public park in the Arts District of Portland, Maine. It's a place where people can gather, relax, and enjoy outdoor events. The park has a stage for performances and many spots to sit down. You can also find a large, old clock there. This clock used to be at the city's old Union Station.
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Park History: How It Began
Congress Square Park was created in 1982. It was made possible with a special grant. This grant came from the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development. A grant is like money given by the government for important city projects.
Saving the Park: A Community Effort
In 2013, something big happened. The city leaders thought about selling the park. They wanted to sell it to a company called Rockbridge Capital. This company was working on the nearby hotel. But many people in Portland did not want the park to be sold.
A group of residents, called the Friends of Congress Square Park, stepped up. They worked hard to create a new rule. This rule, called an ordinance, would stop the sale. It said the park could not be sold without a public vote.
The Public Vote: Protecting Green Spaces
The Friends of Congress Square Park gathered many signatures. They needed enough people to agree to have a vote. Because of their effort, the sale was put on hold. It waited until a special election in June 2014.
In that election, the people of Portland voted. They chose to support the new rule. This vote meant the park would not be sold. It also added rules to protect other public spaces in the future. This showed how much the community cared about their park.
Park Today: Events and Art
Since 2013, the Friends of Congress Square Park have kept working. They organize many events in the park. They also raise money to help take care of it. In 2018, the city received another grant. This $33,000 grant was for a new public art project in the park. It helps make the park even more beautiful for everyone to enjoy.
