The Edward Payson Park, formerly the Edward Payson estate, was offered to the city of Portland by William Payson in 1916 in remembrance of his father. The city purchased the land in 1917 with the stipulation that the park would always be named the Edward Payson Park and would be used specifically and exclusively as a public park. 

 

In its early years Payson Park was used primarily for passive recreation and also included extensive community gardens and a nursery space for street trees and shrubs to be planted in the city. In the second half of the 20th century, active recreation facilities were added to the park, the Longfellow Arboretum was established, and wetlands in the Southeast corner of the park were filled creating more “usable” area in the park. 

 

Today, Payson Park is a well utilized and much beloved park with activities from yoga to band practice offered most nights of the week throughout the summer and a thriving passive recreation space year round for families, dog walkers, runners, and more.

Throughout its history, Payson Park has been a well used recreation facility for both the adjacent neighborhoods and the city of Portland as a whole. *Master Plan

​

The  parks hosts two major events each year.  Every 4th of July, families spend the day picnicking in the park to secure the best seats before thousands of people arrive in the early evening to watch the annual fireworks show over Back Cove.

 

And in the Fall, the park is buzzing as thousands of participants in the Maine Marathon walk/run through the Park to the finish line!