On First Day, 81 Sign Up for Weddings in Portland Parks

Monday, January 05, 2015

Taya Alami, GoLocalPDX Reporter

Couples and planners rushed the Portland Parks & Rec Office on Friday, the first day to sign up to hold a wedding in one of Portland's many parks. Photo Credit: Mark Ross

A total of 81 couples booked a Portland park as the place of their 2015 wedding Jan. 2, according to the city's Dept. of Parks and Recreation.

The parks were booked for nuptials on a first-come, first-serve basis, dept. spokesman Mark Ross said. The most popular location was Cathedral Park, which was reserved for a total of 31 events.

Shawn Rodgers, the department's customer service director, said there was more people outside early Jan. 2 than he had seen in previous years.

"A lot of the people were out there for emotional support," Rodgers said

One man, Robert Slightam, had been in line since just after 7 a.m. New Year's Day.

Ross said there has been a long-held tradition of people braving the cold to stand in line, but next year's automated system will put an end to that, as people will be able to reserve a park online.

"No standing in line, but also no free coffee or pastries like our staff cheerfully handed out today and in previous years," Ross said Jan. 2.

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