Connect > Summer brings wave of construction activity to THPRD
Summer brings wave of construction activity to THPRD
June 20, 2013
Warmer, drier weather always heralds a busy season for the Tualatin Hills Park & Recreation District, but with 16 construction projects set to begin or already under way, this summer will be especially productive.
Park developments and redevelopments, trail expansions, natural area restoration and maintenance upgrades are occurring in the next several months. All but one are funded by THPRD's 2008 voter-approved bond measure.
“When this batch of projects is done, we’ll have six newly improved parks, more trail connections, and several more acres of natural areas that families can enjoy for generations to come," said Doug Menke, THPRD general manager. "We continue to deliver on our promise to the public."
Two of the six parks – Barsotti and Hansen Ridge -- are complete developments; the other four are major upgrades. Menke noted that all were designed with significant community input.
He added that the district will build new multi-use paths for better community connectivity and enhance walking trails through established natural areas.
Improvements at more than 70 acres of natural areas include creating a “Pollinator Project” to provide habitat for birds and butterflies. The Park District will also remove invasive weeds, shrubs and trees and replace them with native species.
The $100 million bond measure is designated to preserve natural areas, develop new trails and trail connections, add athletic fields, and upgrade or expand parks and recreational facilities across the district. About 130 total projects have been planned, and nearly half of them are complete. For details, visit www.thprd.org/bondprojects.
Park Additions/Upgrades (all due to finish by the end of this year)
The complete development of Barsotti Park includes a multi-use field, youth tennis court, and loop trail. The 3.77-acre park will also get a community garden and play equipment.
Hansen Ridge Park will be completed developed with new play equipment, picnic areas, pathways, benches and open grass areas. Habitat restoration is also taking place at the park.
Pioneer Park will be redeveloped with new play equipment, picnic areas, grassy areas, a drinking fountain, site furnishings, better signage, sport court revisions, and improved walking paths. THPRD Natural Resources will also enhance the park’s natural area by removing invasive weeds and replanting with native trees and shrubs.
The three-acre Roy Dancer Park will get a new hard-surface loop path, access from 150th Avenue, picnic tables and play equipment.
Redevelopment at Vista Brook Park, which has already begun, will include pathways, play equipment, picnic areas, basketball court upgrades, open space, parking improvements, landscape plantings and natural area restoration.
In a project that began last winter, THPRD continues to redevelop A.M. Kennedy Park in the Raleigh West neighborhood. Improvements at Kennedy include new play equipment, an athletic field, a community garden, picnic areas, pathways, drinking fountains, benches, open grassy spots, and parking areas.
Natural Area Improvements
An interesting project is taking shape at the Rock Creek Greenway in the Rock Creek area. Dubbed the Pollinator Project, the area is designed with birds and bees in mind. Natural Resources workers will remove invasive weeds and replant them with native species to provide habitat for birds and insects that help to pollinate flowering plants. Birds, bees, bats and butterflies, which are important pollinators in Oregon, are suffering from habitat loss. (Completion expected in spring 2015.)
Extensive improvement will take place at the 20-acre Fanno Creek Park. THPRD’s Natural Resources managers have cooperated with Clean Water Services to design habitat restoration in five zones, including a three-quarter-mile stretch along Fanno Creek. The project will improve water quality and bird habitat by increasing the variety and number of native shrubs and trees. (Completion expected in winter 2015.)
Lowami Hart Woods Natural Area, bisected by Beaverton’s South Johnson Creek, contains a riparian corridor, wetlands and a high-quality mixed forest. The 30-acre park was at one time a Camp Fire property. THPRD Natural Resources will conduct a large-scale removal of non-native weeds, then replant with native species. During this process, illegal trails will also be rerouted or closed. This work is being performed in conjunction with major trail enhancements (see below). (Completion expected in summer 2015.)
Summer work at Morrison Woods Park includes enhancing an existing meadow and stabilizing the exposed edge of the forest in the northeast portion of the park. Workers will remove invasive, non-native weeds such as Himalayan blackberry, English ivy, Scotch broom and thistle and replant with native trees and shrubs. (Completion expected in summer 2015.)
Trail Expansions
In conjunction with natural area restoration, a number of trail expansions and improvements will take place at Lowami Hart Woods. Both paved and soft-surface trails will transect the 30-acre park, which contains a mix of native trees and shrubs. (Completion expected in spring 2014.)
Three sections totaling more than two miles of the Waterhouse Trail will be developed. Segments 1, 3, 5 and the West Spur will make important community connections in the Bethany area. Users will be able to reach the Merlo Road MAX Station, a number of neighborhoods and the Rock Creek Trail. (Completion expected in spring 2014.)
Although not bond-funded, THPRD is also working in conjunction with Central Bethany Development to build two short but important community trail connections in the North Bethany area. The company, which is building a residential and commercial area in Bethany, is using systems development charge credits to construct the trails, which will be turned over to THPRD once work is completed.
At just under 1,000 feet, a north/south trail will complete a gap in the Waterhouse Trail and enable a link north to Springville Road. A 216-foot east/west link will tie into the Waterhouse West Spur Trail that will eventually connect with the Rock Creek Trail.
Maintenance Projects
Other bond-funded summer projects include installation of a pervious concrete parking lot at the Sunset Swim Center to reduce stormwater runoff. Waterhouse Park in Beaverton’s Five Oaks neighborhood will get new play equipment.
About THPRD
Formed in 1955, THPRD is the largest special park district in Oregon, spanning about 50 square miles and serving more than 220,000 residents in the greater Beaverton area. The district provides year-round recreational opportunities for people of all ages and abilities. Offerings include thousands of widely diverse classes, more than 90 park sites with active recreational amenities, 60 miles of trails, eight swim centers, six recreation centers, and 1,400 acres of nature preserve. For more information, visit www.thprd.org or call 503/645-6433.
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Contact:
Bob Wayt
Director – Communications
503/614-1218 (direct)
503/686-5134 (cell)
Date: June 21, 2013
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Click here for official release (PDF).