Fort Allen Park

• Eastern Promenade, Portland | 2016 Preservation Award Winner

The Issue

The condition of the historic Eastern Promenade and Fort Allen had declined from the glory years of 1890-1930. A 2004 master plan for the Eastern Promenade made numerous recommendations to restore the historic character of the park. In 2006 the Friends of Eastern Promenade were founded to help enact the plan’s recommendations. The Friends of Eastern Promenade commissioned a master plan specifically for Fort Allen. The City Council approved plan was completed in 2015 with support from the City of Portland and private donations.

Our Position

Fort Allen Park is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is a designated City Landmark. Advocating for careful resource management of our historic public parks and funding for maintenance and improvements is an important part of the Landmarks' mission. Landmarks supported the Friends of Eastern Promenade in their efforts to restore the park's essential character-defining details, while accommodating modern memorials, universal access, and amenities. Project funding included the City of Portland Capital Improvement program, a Community Development Block Grant, and private fundraising.

2016 Preservation Award Winner!

Greater Portland Landmarks awarded the restoration of Fort Allen Park a 2016 Preservation Award.

Funding Partners:

• The Mayor and City Councilors of Portland

• Capital Improvement Project Funds

• Community Development and Block Grant Funds

• Davis Family Foundation

• Maine Community Foundation

Project Partners:

• Department of Public Services

• Portland's Historic Preservation Board

• Maine Historic Preservation Commission

• Martha Lyon Landscape Architecture, LLC, Landscape Design

• Regina Leonard, RLA, Landscape Architect

• R.E. Coleman Excavation, Inc., Contractor

• Gorrill Palmer, Civil Engineer

• Jonathan Taggert of Taggert Objects Conservation, Conservator

• Becker Structural Engineers, Inc., Structural Engineer

• Cote Corporation, Crane and Rigging

Capital Campaign Recognition Program:

• Boulos Family, Bandstand

• Martin’s Point Health Care, USS Maine Cannon

• Norway Savings Bank, Interpretive Exhibits

• Crandall Toothaker, Civil War Cannon

• Edmund Gardner, III, Civil War Cannon

• Anonymous “Friend”, Flagpole

Interpretive Panels made possible thru generous support of:

• Norway Savings Bank

• Anonymous “Friend”

• Montgomery Designs

• Maine Community Foundation

Press

• Preservation Awards Current Publishing

• This is a sacred landscape: $1.4 million restoration of Portland's Fort Allen Park nears completion Bangor Daily News

• Fort Allen Park: Reclaiming the High Ground Portland Press Herald

Quick Links

• Landmarks 2016 Preservation Awards Landmarks Observer

• Fort Allen Park Restoration Friends of the Eastern Promenade

What You Can Do

• Take a walk on the Eastern Promenade.

• Follow the work of the Friends of the Eastern Promenade and stay informed about their events on the prom.

• Urge your City Councilor to support adequate funding for our parks and open spaces.

• Subscribe to our mailing list to stay informed about advocacy efforts, educational programs, and upcoming events.

• Support the advocacy efforts and education programs of Greater Portland Landmarks.