The Bayside Neighborhood Association convened two sessions of the Community Voices for Road Safety Pedestrian Safety Campaign, with 10 participants attending each session. This initiative, part of the Maine Bureau of Highway Safety’s new pedestrian-focused safety effort in Portland, Lewiston, and Auburn, brought Portland residents directly into the creative process of shaping public safety messaging. Rather than using a traditional top-down approach, the campaign asked community members—many of whom walk daily as their primary mode of transportation—to help guide the message drivers and walkers need to hear, determine the creative look of the campaign, and identify where these messages would be most effective.
The sessions, each lasting 90 minutes, were designed to address the rising pedestrian injuries and fatalities in Portland by centering the voices of those most affected. Participants received $50 compensation for their time, and snacks and beverages were provided. Jeff Larason, Highway Safety Communications Program Director for Community Voices campaign moderated the program. The neighborhood-authored campaign that emerges from these focus groups is set to roll out in Spring 2026.
Pedestrian injuries and fatalities are rising nationwide — especially in urban communities where many people walk out of necessity. We need your input to change that, and you could get $50 for your time.
As part of their “Community Voices” approach, The Maine Bureau of Highway Safety is partnering with The Bayside Neighborhood Association to host a community discussion to learn from residents about the risks they see, the behaviors they witness, and the educational solutions they believe will work. These insights will directly inform the campaign’s content and outreach. Two focus groups are scheduled for Monday December 15th and Tuesday December 16th. Both groups will meet at 6pm in the Steve Hirshon Community Room at Unity Village, 24 Stone Street Portland. Please indicate your availability for either date below.
Participants are compensated with a $50 stipend. Applications to attend the focus group are being accepted by the BNA through December 12th. If interested please click here: https://forms.gle/V5nNSyVMYykP2eHk9
The Harvard Kennedy School of Government is calling all Baysiders to participate in a forum to discuss the impacts of climate change and attendant severe weather events in our community. We want to hear from you, and hope you’ll take time to gather with your neighbors to share our thoughts, concerns, and ideas on how to move forward together.
Please share and post this flyer widely. Here are translated flyers for speakers of other languages:
“Join us for an interactive, in-person community engagement session focused on stormwater, flooding, and climate impacts in Bayside. Over about 90 minutes, residents will work together around a large neighborhood map to identify valued community features, share past experiences with flooding using simple color markers and optional notes, and highlight what kinds of resources or support they have used, or might need, in future events. It’s an opportunity for residents to share their own experiences and contribute to supporting the future of Bayside.”
The City of Portland is updating its Emergency Operations Plan (EOP) to improve how we prepare for, respond to, and recover from emergencies.
Your insight is invaluable. We would like to hear your experiences and ideas to make sure this plan truly reflects the needs of our diverse communities. Your input will help us build a plan that is inclusive, effective, and ready for anything.
We’re asking residents to share their ideas and concerns through a survey and an idea board on the website, which are open now through November 30, 2025.
The BNA Safe Streets Team is involved with everything concerning pedestrian and bicycle safety, including but not limited to advocating for improved lighting, signage, and streetscape design, collaborating with Midtown Community Policing on crime prevention and enforcement, safe routes to school, and helping first responders in emergency planning efforts like this. We can do more when we raise our voices together. For more information on how you can help contact safestreets@baysideportland.org
The City of Portland’s Office of Economic Opportunity is partnering with Food for All Services, a local, multicultural food pantry, to host a Community Thanksgiving Meal and we’d love the support of volunteers in making the event possible!
Where: Food For All Services, 72 Parris St, Portland
When: Thursday, November 20th, Lunch: 12-3 pm, Dinner: 5-8 pm
(Volunteer Shifts: 11 am-2 pm, 2-5 pm, 5-9 pm)
What: Volunteer roles will include: serving food, greeting people at the door, sharing resources, connecting with community members, set-up, clean-up etc. Email Lauren at llindenbaum@portlandmaine.gov with any questions!
Another First Friday is upon us, and it looks like the rain will hold off until afterward!
Highlights:
A new neighborhood gallery and performance space is joining us at 47 Portland Street, on the 3rd floor. Open Systems Studios‘ current exhibit “arhythmias” went up last month and was a great hit. If you haven’t seen it come down tonight and check it out before December’s new offering.
Happy first birthday to Maine Clay Collaborative! In addition to the usual Friday free clay play open studio event, they’ll be serving up birthday cake while it lasts. Join us!
Several events are coming up that encourage public engagement in local policy making, and we want to make sure Bayside voices are being well represented at all levels of government. Please put the following on your calendars:
Bayside Neighborhood Association Board Meeting
Tuesday, October 7⋅6:00-7:30pm
Steve Hirshon Community Room at Unity Village, 24 Stone Street, Portland, ME
Coffee By Design 1 Diamond St, Portland, ME 04101, USA
Your elected representatives in the Maine Legislature want to make sure we stay connected to the needs and priorities of Portland’s neighborhoods. To that end, we are hosting a “Coffee with Constituents” gathering.
Think of this as a neighborhood coffee hour — an opportunity for us to sit down together in a casual setting, listen to what matters most to you and your neighbors, and hear directly how state government can better serve our community.
We are reaching out to you because neighborhood associations play a vital role in shaping the life of our city. We would appreciate you sharing this invitation with members of your association and encouraging them to join us.
We look forward to the conversation and to learning from you,
Rachel Talbot Ross State Senator, Senate District 28 (including Bayside)
Yusuf Yusuf Representative, House District 118 (including Bayside)
Matt Moonen House Majority Leader, District 117
Sam Zager Representative, House District 116
District One Meeting with Councilor Michniewicz
Thursday, October 16⋅6:00 – 7:30pm
Portland High School, 284 Cumberland Ave, Portland, ME 04101, USA
The City of Portland’s Annual District Meetings will begin Thursday, October 16, 2025 with the District 1 meeting hosted by Councilor Sarah Michniewicz. Mayor Dion, City Manager Danielle West, and City staff will also be available to discuss neighborhood issues and answer questions from the public. These meetings are the public’s opportunity to meet their district councilor, the Mayor, and representatives from the various departments within the city.
The City will once again offer free childcare during these meetings. Staff from the Parks, Recreation & Facilities (PRF) Before and After the Bell Program will provide childcare assistance for children ages 5-12. Families will need to sign a liability waiver and sign in/out of the program. Family members must be attending the meeting to utilize the service. The program will take place in adjacent spaces to the meeting from 6:00 PM – 7:30 PM only. No pre-registration is required.
Bayside is the Playside this Friday! Sneak away from the madding crowds of Congress Street and check out where the cool cats go to Art Walk on the first Friday of every month. We have the old school Portland underground vibe in Bayside, and you’re invited. Here’s what’s up:
82Parris Gallery Memories to Give by Esper Gaspardi and Raquel Miller 5-8pm
meet @ Bayside Community Garden on Chestnut Street
Every year for decades Bayside neighbors and friends have come together to cleanup our streets and sidewalks and enjoy each other’s company in preparation for the winter. This year every participant will be given a valuable Bayside Business Coupon Card, good for deep discounts at sponsoring Bayside restaurants, shops, services, venues and vendors.
We’ll meet at the Bayside Community Garden on Chestnut Street and choose routes from there. Trash bags, gloves, pickers, water, coffee and snacks are provided.
Thanks to our local businesses who offered discounts to volunteers: Leavitt & Sons Deli Two Fat Cats Bakery Lay Day Coffee Roasters The Studio Portland Fortune Teller Tattoo Cyclebar Maine Clay Collaborative Isa Bistro F45 Training Bayside Bowl Check back in the Spring for your chance to earn a Bayside Business Coupon Card from the BNA!
