In November 2019, voters in greater Portland approved a $475 million bond measure to further protect clean water, restore fish and wildlife habitat and provide opportunities for people to connect with nature close to home.
The bond measure provides funding across six program areas:
- Protect and restore land, $155 million
- Local parks and nature projects, $92 million
- Nature in Neighborhoods capital grants, $40 million
- Metro parks improvements, $98 million
- Walking and biking trails, $40 million
- Large-scale community visions, $50 million
Racial equity is the core of the bond measure. It prioritizes outcomes that benefit people of color, Indigenous people, people with low incomes, people with varying abilities and other historically marginalized groups who have not benefited equitably from past investments. The bond measure also prioritizes work to make the region more resilient to climate change.
From the end of 2019 to the end of 2022, Metro staff worked to turn these expectations into actions. Through this refinement process, Metro worked in partnership with community members, community organizations, tribes, local park providers and others to ensure these investments make a difference on the ground. From 2022, all six of the bond's programs have been up and running.