A Special Evening at Riverton Trolley Park: Community, Bikes, and Fun

On September 18, Riverton Trolley Park was buzzing with energy for a truly special community event. We at the Portland Parks Conservancy were thrilled to see so many people come out to enjoy the evening, connect with neighbors, and create new memories.

This gathering wasn’t just about celebrating the present—it was also about honoring the past. More than a century ago, Riverton Trolley Park was one of Portland’s most beloved gathering spaces, a place where families and friends came together for recreation and community. Events like this one pay homage to that history by bringing people back to this iconic space, reminding us of its roots as a lively, welcoming hub. Learn more about the park’s history.

Thanks to the support of our partners, the evening offered something for everyone. The Greater Portland New England Mountain Biking Association hosted a bike skills clinic and group rides, giving new and experienced riders alike a chance to try out the park’s features. The Maine Outdoor Film Festival brought community members together under the stars for the premiere of Riverton Rising, a short documentary showcasing the journey of building the bike course. And Spare Time Entertainment added to the fun by providing giveaways and family-friendly activities.

This was the very first season for the Riverton Trolley Bike Park, and the community response has been extraordinary.

“The Riverton Trolley Bike Park has served as an incredible convening place for riders of every age and ability level, and has demonstrated how much unmet demand there was for a park like this in Portland. It's helped me really improve my own jumping over the course of the season, and every session, I've met someone different at the top of the pump track or the jump lines, each person working to meet their individual goal, supported by an encouraging community that's astonished a resource like this now exists. I've never seen such a broad and diverse community of riders come together in one place before, and it's exciting to see the ways in which Riverton Trolley Bike Park is serving as a pivot point around which the Greater Portland bike community is becoming more accessible, more empowering, and more fun.”
— Ryan Dunfee, President, Greater Portland Chapter, New England Mountain Bike Association

Adding to the experience, Jeff Tarling, former City Arborist, led a walk-and-talk through Riverton Trolley Park. Guests got a glimpse into the park’s past, learned about its present, and shared excitement for what’s to come.

The Riverton Trolley Bike Park is one of the Conservancy’s proudest projects, and seeing the community actively enjoy this space is a powerful reminder of why these efforts matter.

Thank you to everyone who joined us, and to our partners, for helping make this night such a success. We can’t wait to see more people enjoying the park and bike course in the days and months ahead.

Check out some of the photos from this special evening below!