Healthier Neighborhoods for All is a program that aims to improve the health of Portland's neighborhoods, with a focus on low-income, BIPOC, and immigrant residents, by increasing awareness and usage of local trails and outdoor spaces. 
By working directly with residents, we are co-creating community-driven changes that support active lifestyles, improve mental health, and provide car-free transportation opportunities. The first phase of this program is focusing on the Riverton & Sagamore Village neighborhoods. 

Video by Jason Kimball | kimballcreate.com

Relationships are at the heart of this program. Here are a few ways we’re engaging Riverton and Sagamore Village residents:
  • Hosting presentations for residents, schools, and other community organizations, including In Her Presence, Portland Adult Education, King Middle School, and Portland's Homeless Services Center, on the benefits of trails, how to use them, and where to find them
  • Distributing multilingual trail welcome pamphlets. Download a pamphlet in English | français | portugues | español | somaliyeed | عربي | lingala | kinyarwanda
  • Collecting responses from local residents about trail experiences and awareness. We've completed our survey period for the Riverton neighborhood. Our survey for Sagamore Village residents will open in 2024
  • Holding volunteer trail work days for neighbors
  • Leading group walks with our Inclusion Coordinator, Angelique Bitshilualua
  • Planning family-friendly trail events, like picnics and nature walks, for neighborhood residents

Angelique giving a presentation to In Her Presence students

We see trails as an opportunity for community change. A welcoming and well-used trail network creates healthier people, healthier communities, and a healthier environment. Here's how:
  • PEOPLE - Study after study shows that time in nature and easy access to the outdoors in urban settings supports physical and mental health. Additionally, a robust trail network provides free transportation to schools, work, businesses, and more.
  • COMMUNITY - Local trails enhance the liveability of a neighborhood and strengthen the local economy by serving as an amenity for residents and businesses.
  • ENVIRONMENT - Green spaces like trails reduce CO2 emissions, absorb storm impacts of climate change, and connect various ecosystems and fragmented habitats.
Meet Angelique Bitshilualua, our Inclusion Coordinator!

As Portland Trails’ Inclusion Coordinator, Angelique leads the Healthier Neighborhoods for All program. 

Originally from the Democratic Republic of Congo, Angelique held a series of positions with the International Committee of Red Cross. After moving to the US in 2018, she joined In Her Presence and managed an outreach initiative at the Children’s Museum and Theatre of Maine to encourage museum attendance by immigrant families with children. Angelique loves the outdoors and nature and is excited to introduce the trails to fellow immigrants and residents across Greater Portland. You can connect with Angelique at angelique@trails.org.

Interested in getting involved?
Programs like this take a village. If you’re interested in getting involved, we want to hear from you! 
  • Riverton and Sagamore Village residents - join us for a group walk by emailing Angelique at angelique@trails.org
  • Local businesses & organizations - help spread the word about our project. Email Lindsay at lindsay@trails.org
  • BIPOC and immigrant organizations – get a personalized presentation about trails for your group. Email Angelique at angelique@trails.org

Thank you to our program partners!

We could not do Healthier Neighborhoods for All work without the support of our generous program partners and funders:

 

 

 

 

 

Thomas C and Jo Ann Succop Family Charitable Foundation
Nine Wicket Foundation

 

If you’re interested in joining this extraordinary team of program partners, please reach out to Lindsay Conrad at lindsay@trails.org.