The Eastern Promenade is for Everyone.

The Eastern Promenade is for everyone. 

For walkers, for runners, for children playing and for birders birding, even for protestors peacefully protesting. Most importantly, the Prom is a place to feel safe. 

We must acknowledge the disturbing history of racism & structural inequality ingrained in our society, and we must take actionable steps towards change. We have a lot of hard work ahead of us, but it is work we must do. Show up for those who cannot, use your voice, vote with your dollars. Let’s take this opportunity to listen, learn, and unlearn; to do better and to be better - for our Black neighbors and for the future. 

We here at Friends of the Eastern Promenade stand in solidarity with everyone fighting for justice. 

Black Lives Matter. 

All-Volunteer Event Prepares Portland's the Eastern Promenade for Summer

It's time to start thinking about picnics, ballgames and naps on the Eastern Promenade. But first? Friends of the Eastern Promenade(FoEP) has announced its Annual Park Pickup will be Saturday, May 4th (postponed due to rain from 4/20).

The all-volunteer community event will be from 9am to noon along the length of Portland's historic and largest public park overlooking Casco Bay. The public's help will get the Eastern Promenade ready for another busy summer.

Volunteers are asked to check in at the Cleeves Memorial, the monument on the Eastern Promenade at the foot of Congress Street. All tools and trash bags will be provided. Any amount of time people can volunteer is greatly appreciated.

Friends of the Eastern Promenade, founded in 2006, is a nonprofit community organization committed to park stewardship. Our mission is to preserve the park's significant historic public landscapes, protect its environmental integrity and enhance recreational use.

Contact: info@easternpromenade.org

Celebrated Maine Musicians Get Top Billing at 8th Annual Summer Community Concert Series

8 Free, Weekly, Outdoor Performances begin Thursday, July 12, 2018 at Fort Allen Park, Eastern Promenade, Portland

Portland, Maine, June 4, 2018 - Friends of the Eastern Promenade (FoEP) announced today its
schedule for the popular Summer Community Concert Series at Fort Allen Park. The outdoor
musical extravaganza will feature eight different groups with deep Maine roots. The free, hour
long concerts for all ages take place every Thursday at 6:30 on the lawn in front of the historic
Gazebo.

"The Maine musicians we have invited to perform are exceptional,"says Joyce Knight, concert
series organizer and volunteer member of Friends of the Eastern Promenade Board of Directors.
"Each group has a unique sound, a loyal following, and a deep appreciation for being from
Maine. No one will be sitting still during this summer's concert series!"

Here is the schedule:

• Thursday, July 12 - Muddy Ruckus - "grungy blues, rock infused folk"
• Thursday, July 19 - Jenny Van West - "Vocally driven Americana"
• Thursday, July 26 - Chandler's - a true Maine Community Band, organized in 1876
• Thursday, August 2 - Tim Mercer - returns to his rock roots
• Thursday, August 9 - Inanna - women's percussion & vocal ensemble/cultural diversity
• Thursday, August 16 - Delta Knights - R&B, blues, classic rock
• Thursday, August 23 - Truth About Daisies - tad of jazz, pinch of rock, dash of country
• Thursday, August 30 - Primo Cubano - traditional Cuban dance music

Concert goers are encouraged to bring lawn chairs, spread out a blanket and have a picnic. Food
trucks will also be parked nearby.

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Friends of the Eastern Promenade's projects and established programs, including the Summer Community Concert Series and Hidden Gardens of Munjoy Hill, are funded by donations from individuals, neighborhood businesses, corporate partners, foundations and others. The City of Portland is a key partner. For more information to http://www.easternpromenade.org
Contact: Patsy Wiggins, Exec. Dir., Friends of the Eastern Promenade patsy@easternpromenade.org

April Stools Day 2018!

Friends of the Eastern Promenade's Annual Park-Pickup is Saturday, April 28

Portland, ME, March 24, 2018 - Year after year since 2007, Friends of the Eastern Promenade
(FoEP), a nonprofit community organization, and City of Portland Parks, Recreation and
Facilities Department have partnered to make the clean-up of the Eastern Promenade - Portland's
most historic park overlooking Casco Bay - a success story. The so-called "April Stools Day"
draws hundreds of volunteers to the park every year. This spring's event is scheduled for
Saturday, April 28th, from 9 a.m. to noon.

"The outpouring of support for this project is always amazing," says Lindsay Rowe Scala, FoEP
Board member and event organizer. "People of all ages cherish the Eastern Promenade. It's their
park and they really do want to take care of it."

Surrounding cities and towns have followed Friends of the Eastern Promenade's lead. South
Portland, Cape Elizabeth, and Scarborough and other Maine communities also plan springtime
community clean-ups.

190 years ago Portland's city planners recognized the importance of saving green space for
public use. The City's first acquisition of land on the Eastern Promenade was in 1828. It now
spans over 70 acres.

"We are fortunate to be stewards of such an extraordinary public park," says Molly McCarthy,
also a FoEP Board member and event organizer. "There is nothing in the world like the Eastern
Promenade. It's a treasure. Volunteers know that. The environmental integrity of the Eastern
Promenade is in good hands."

For more information about volunteering go to www.easternpromenade.org.
(Rain date is Sunday, April 29th)

Friends of the Eastern Promenade is a nonprofit community organization committed to
preserving the park's significant historic public landscape, protecting its environmental integrity,
and enhancing recreational use.

Contact: Patsy Wiggins, Exec. Dir., Friends of the Eastern Promenade patsy@easternpromenade.org

FoEP Announces New Leadership

Friends of the Eastern Promenade Announces New Leadership, Plans to Unveil New Community Projects this Spring

Portland, Maine, March 19, 2018 -- Friends of the Eastern Promenade (FoEP) today announced that its Board of Directors hired former Maine television journalist Patsy Wiggins as its new Executive Director.

Brandon Mazer, who has been a volunteer board member of FoEP for nearly two years, became President of the organization in October and recently joined the Portland law firm Perkins Thompson. Previously, Mazer was legal counsel for Portland's Shipyard Brewing Company and was the president of the Maine Brewers' Guild.

"This is an exciting time for Friends of the Eastern Promenade," says Mazer. “The Board of Directors of Friends of the Eastern Promenade is so pleased to welcome Patsy Wiggins to the team, our important Annual Fundraising Campaign is well underway and we are looking forward to completing two important projects that are on the drawing board - one for the waterfront and another on the edge of Fort Allen Park. We'll publicly unveil the plans when warmer days arrive," says Mazer.

Patsy Wiggins, known for her years of story gathering, anchoring and producing at television stations WABI, WCSH, WGME and Maine Public Broadcasting, becomes the second Executive Director of the independent, community-supported organization. Diane Davison, a founding member of FoEP, stepped down as Executive Director to explore other passions.

Wiggins brings communications and public relations experiences to FoEP's Board which is responsible for preserving, protecting and enhancing the 68-acre Eastern Promenade overlooking Casco Bay.  "The Eastern Promenade is unlike any other place in the world. It's extraordinary," says Wiggins."Friends of the Eastern Promenade is the leading voice for Portland’s signature park. I'm fortunate to support such dedicated Board members, volunteers and loyal supporters."

Friends of the Eastern Promenade's projects and established programs, including the popular Summer Community Concert Series and Hidden Gardens of Munjoy Hill, are funded by donations from individuals, neighborhood businesses, corporate partners, foundations and others. The City of Portland is a key partner.

Friends of the Eastern Promenade is a nonprofit community organization committed to preserving the park's significant historic public landscape, protecting its environmental integrity, and enhancing recreational use.
Contact: Patsy Wiggins, Exec. Dir., Friends of the Eastern Promenade; patsy@easternpromenade.org; 207-400-6993