Vision: Friends of Thornton Heights brings residents together to promote a vibrant and welcoming neighborhood community for all who live and work here.

Members: Anyone who resides or works within the Thornton Heights neighborhood may become a member. There are no membership dues. Friends of Thornton Heights is made possible by the efforts of its volunteers. We welcome all voices.

About: In 2019, several of us who met during a block party talked about forming a neighborhood association. Then, during the pandemic, with many of us spending much time taking long walks through the neighborhood, we had further opportunities for “curbside conversation.” It became clear that there was a significant desire to deepen our connections as a community.

It also became clear that many people wanted the opportunity to partner with the city regarding the number of initiatives underway in Thornton Heights. Residents wanted to support…

• The development of affordable housing in the neighborhood.

• A collaboration with South Portland Housing to locate a green grocer, a deli, and/or a bakery for the commercial space on the ground floor of Thornton Heights Commons.

• The possibility of temporary housing in the neighborhood for new Mainers (our “new neighbors”). 

• The calming of the current traffic patterns, as well as a plan for the increase in traffic that would come with the building of the new consolidated middle school. 

• The development of safe walking paths, including a viable pathway to connect Thornton Heights with Red Bank/Brick Hill.

• The preservation of and access to green space—including developing access to the Green Belt as well as developing a formal neighborhood park in Sawyer Park.

In 2021, a small steering committee was formed, and Friends of Thornton Heights got to work.

To see an overview of the work that has been done thus far, see “Current Projects.”