INITIATIVES
Accomplishments-
Outer Westbrook St. Sidewalk Snow-Plowing - Starting in the winter of 2021, the Association has successfully urged the City of Portland to snow plow sidewalks along outer Westbrook St. from Congress St. to the ME Turnpike overpass. This is enabling our residents, including seniors, children, dog-walkers etc., to safely walk along this busy roadway.
Pollinator Garden in Stroudwater Park II - The Association has successfully lobbied the City of Portland to designate the upper section of the Stroudwater Park II (Westbrook St. & Congress St.) as a new pollinator garden. With the help of City Arborist & Parks Division Manager, Jeff Tarling, and his staff, the Association hopes to have a thriving natural garden habitat for bees, butterflies and birds, right in the heart of our neighborhood by the spring/summer of 2021.
Modernization of our Stroudwater Neighborhood Association - Along with the re-naming of our Association from “Stroudwater Village Association”, we have redesigned its logo and website with a more modern and user-friendly interface. We hope this prompts and facilitates our neighbors to connect more with each other and the SNA, in order to improve our Portland neighborhood as special place to live in. The SNA encourages all our neighbors to join us for our monthly SNA Trustee meeting held temporarily through Zoom link during the pandemic. Sign up for email updates on our Homepage, or follow our Facebook page for meeting schedules.
Current Initiatives-
Pedestrian Crosswalk at Congress St., Garrison St., & River’s Edge - Since 2014, the Association, along with concerned residents, has encouraged the City of Portland to construct a crosswalk across Congress St. in order to connect River’s Edge to Garrison St. (see below). In 2021, the SNA is redoubling its efforts to get this previously planned and studied project brought to fruition for the safety of our walking and bicycling neighbors.
Pedestrian Crosswalk at Stroudwater Preserve, Westbrook St., & Swan St. - Because of the addition of 100+ homes with families in The Stroudwater Preserve development, along outer Westbrook St., the Association is in the process of lobbying the City of Portland for a new yellow, blinking, lighted crosswalk (similar to Westbrook St. & Partridge Rd.). This crosswalk would not only safely link the residents of Stroudwater Preserve to the only existing sidewalk on the opposite side of Westbrook St., but it would also link the Portland Trails network down into the Preserve and to the proposed future installation of the trail bridge across the Stroudwater River. The proposed crosswalk would have the double effect of calming vehicle traffic coming down from the Turnpike overpass into the neighborhood.
Repairs to the Historic Stroudwater River Dam & River Clean-Up - The Association is currently lobbying the City of Portland, and other government agencies, to move forward on much needed repairs to our iconic dam at the mouth of the Stroudwater River. Along with the dam repairs, the Association is looking to do a clean up of the fallen trees and debris blocking navigation for small water craft (kayaks & canoes) along the upper part of the river. The Association’s vision for the Stroudwater River is that it be both a source of recreation and enjoyment for our neighbors in the City of Portland, as well as a continuation of the natural habitat it provides for local wildlife.
Rehabilitation of the Historic Stroudwater Burying Ground - The Association has recognized the dire situation of many of the burying ground’s headstones, some dating back to the early 18th century. These headstones, some lop-sided, fallen, broken or buried, represent the colonial and early US citizens who made Stroudwater what it is today. The SNA is hoping to forge a new “Friends of the Stroudwater Burying Ground” to raise funds and organize the labor involved with this endeavor to save it from the ravages of time. Please email us if you would like to be involved with this important neighborhood project: stroudwaterassociation.org/buryingground.
Networking within The Greater Portland Area - The Association is newly committed to networking with the City of Portland as well as other Greater Portland organizations to improve our community.
We maintain representatives to both the Portland International Jetport administrative meetings, as well as PAN (Portland Association of Neighborhoods). The Jetport meetings provide us with news of airport upgrades, construction, and noise mitigation efforts. The PAN meetings provide us with a voice towards issues affecting all our area neighborhoods such as building codes, zoning, and housing insecurity and affordability.
For more Jetport info: Portlandjetport.org
For more Portland Neighborhoods info: Portlandmaine.gov/neighborhoods&islands
Fun Community Events - While the COVID-19 pandemic continues, we at the SNA are looking forward to the days ahead, later in 2021, and 2022, when we may all safely gather again at fun community events for adults and children alike. Some of the possible ideas expressed at the SNA Events Sub-Committee meetings include: an outdoor family movie night, a Stroudwater Burying Ground tour, a Portland Trails Collaborative/Fundraiser Day, a Winter Carnival, a Summer Music/Art Festival, and many other ideas.
If you have any inspired ideas for neighborhood events, please email us at: stroudwaterassociation@gmail.com.
Follow us here, or on our Facebook page for future events.