In downtown Portland, the chain-link fences around Chapman ...

On Groundhog Day, downtown Portland got a different herald of spring: The post-Occupy chain-link fences came down Thursday from around Chapman and Lownsdale squares.

That means the parks' paths have been liberated for the people to walk once again. But the ground remains under lockdown, so to speak, for reseeding that is scheduled for March.

Mark Ross, spokesman for Portland Parks & Recreation, says the tiny sprouts poking up from the ground now "is the existing grass valiantly making a push toward the sunlight."?

The bureau's turf experts will be restoring the grass "as the season progresses and weather permits."

The parks have been off limits to the public since Nov. 13, when police swept out the Occupy Portland encampment that had operated there for 38 days.?

-- Anne Saker, Twitter @dwntPDXreporter

Source: http://www.oregonlive.com/portland/index.ssf/2012/02/in_downtown_portland_the_chain.html

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