Payson Park

Longfellow Arboretum, in Payson Park

Edward Payson Park is a 47.5-acre (19.2 ha) public park on Ocean Avenue in Portland, Maine. It was named for either Rev. Edward Payson, or his son Edward Payson (1813-1890), although more likely named for the latter, who lived near the park in the "Payson House".[1]

Longfellow Arboretum

The Longfellow Arboretum is a 2.5-acre (1.0 ha) arboretum on the southwestern corner the park beside a small tidal marsh which connects the park to Back Cove.[2] As of August 2016, there are 125 trees,[3] including approximately 40 non-native trees, including Betula nigra, Cercidiphyllum, and Stewartia.

The Longfellow Garden Club, a member of the National Garden Club and the Garden Club Federation of Maine, created the Longfellow Arboretum on land donated by the City of Portland using a bequest from Mrs. Clifford Leys, a former member.[3] Today the Longfellow Garden Club and the City of Portland jointly maintain the Arboretum. It is named in honor of American poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow (1807–1882) who grew up in the nearby Wadsworth-Longfellow House.

Sliding

Payson Park is a known as a top location for sliding and in 2008, Payson Hill Terrain Park, a ski, snowboard, and sledding terrain park located on the park's western edge, was established to encourage children to take up the sports.[4] It was the only municipal park in the United States to offer free skiing and riding lessons.[5]

See also

References

  1. ↑ Writers Program (Maine). Portland City Guide, 1940. pg. 291
  2. ↑ Places to Play Archived 2010-11-27 at the Wayback Machine. City of Portland, Maine
  3. 1 2 "Longfellow Arboretum (Brochure)". City of Portland. Retrieved February 15, 2016.
  4. ↑ It's all downhill fun from here Portland Press Herald, December 9, 2010
  5. ↑ They're riding high Portland Press Herald, December 28, 2010

Coordinates: 43°40′53″N 70°16′03″W / 43.6814°N 70.2675°W / 43.6814; -70.2675


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