McKinstry Helps Portland Parks and Recreation Create Safer, Smarter Spaces 

In the heart of Portland, a quiet but powerful transformation has been taking place. The goals for the city’s parks bureau, Portland Parks & Recreation (PP&R), include modernizing aging infrastructure, enhancing safety and improving comfort for all Portlanders.

The first mission was to help make the parks even safer. From Mt. Tabor to Sellwood Riverfront Park, McKinstry upgraded pathway lighting across 14 parks. Crews removed outdated concrete poles and replaced or added nearly 300 new light poles. The challenge? Some of these fixtures were more than 50 years old and the replacements needed to match the historical look visitors had come to know. McKinstry delivered so precisely that, as a visitor, you may not even notice a difference between the old poles and new ones. 

The upgrades went beyond aesthetics. The new LED lights are nearly 70% more efficient and the bulbs are longer lasting. The fixtures are directed at park pathways, meaning less light on homes in the area. While some parks will have additional lights to enhance brightness and visibility, others have fewer because the new ones offer better coverage.

McKinstry installed advanced lighting control systems in 11 parks, giving PP&R the ability to set lighting schedules, adjust brightness levels and monitor and manage energy use from centralized controllers. What was once a simple dusk-to-dawn system became a smart, responsive network that enhances both safety and sustainability.

With park safety improved, attention turned to East Portland, Charles Jordan and Peninsula Park Community Centers. These neighborhood gathering places are more than buildings. They’re lifelines for fitness, learning and community connection. 

McKinstry led major HVAC retrofits, replacing outdated systems and, in the case of Peninsula Park Community Center, adding air conditioning for the first time. These upgrades brought much-needed comfort. 

During this work, another need emerged: roofing. While working on the HVAC systems, McKinstry identified leaks that, luckily, hadn’t yet reached the interior. PP&R acted quickly, calling for roof repairs at all three centers.  

This most recent work is more than a series of projects. It is the vision of a sustainable partnership. Portland Parks & Recreation and McKinstry have built a relationship grounded in trust, responsiveness and shared purpose. Whether it’s an emergency call or a long-term upgrade, McKinstry has become a key partner, helping PP&R create long-term solutions.

Explore other projects

Share: