Connect > THPRD buys eight land parcels for natural areas, future parks
THPRD buys eight land parcels for natural areas, future parks
January 14, 2013
The Tualatin Hills Park & Recreation District closed 2012 with a flourish, completing five land acquisitions in December that will be used for natural areas and future neighborhood parks.
The acquisitions, all funded by THPRD’s 2008 voter-approved bond measure, totaled more than 38 acres. They are located across the Park District and will eventually provide patrons with added recreational opportunities.
The largest of the group, north of the Sunset Highway in the Bethany area, spans a little more than 22 acres and will become a natural area, while two of the other December acquisitions will add to THPRD’s existing Lilly K. Johnson Woods Natural Area, which is south of Farmington Road and west of Murray Boulevard.
Last month’s closings are in addition to two others that the district made in October and August, one for a park and the other for a natural area. Totaling more than four acres, they also were funded by the bond measure.
An eighth land acquisition, of 1.34 acres in September, will become part of a future community park. It was funded by system development charges, which are fees developers pay THPRD to help offset growth they cause.
THPRD’s $100 million bond measure included $33.6 million for land acquisition focused on parks, trails and natural areas.
Referring to the seven new bond-funded purchases, THPRD General Manager Doug Menke said, “Securing land while it is still available in underserved areas is a critically important step in our efforts to fulfill the wishes of voters for more recreational options. We engaged in lengthy negotiations with property owners, and our timing was fortunate. We were able to obtain the land at prices that are significantly lower than they were just a few years ago.”
Here is a summary of each acquisition, most recent ones first:
Purchase #1 (bond-funded)
Location: South side of SW Farmington Road, east end of SW Jaylee Street (east Aloha area) Size: 2.16 acres Cost: $599,200 Acquisition date: 12-31-12 Purpose: To expand the Lilly K. Johnson Woods Natural area and for limited park use Note: A Metro Nature in Neighborhoods capital grant of $150,000 helped pay for this parcel
Purchase #2 (bond)
Location: North of NW Laidlaw Road, east of Redfox Drive, near Bannister Creek Greenway (Bethany area) Size: 22.02 acres Cost: $540,000 Acquisition date: 12-31-12 Purpose: Preservation of natural areas in the Bronson Creek Watershed
Purchase #3 (bond)
Location: SW corner of the intersection of NW Thompson Road and NW Saltzman Road (near Findley Elementary School) Size: 6.85 acres Cost: $1,954,000 Acquisition date: 12-20-12 Purpose: Future neighborhood park
Purchase #4 (bond)
Location: North of Beaver Court, west of 174th (Elmonica area) Size: 5.34 acres Cost: $960,000 Acquisition date: 12-14-12 Purpose: Future neighborhood park
Purchase #5 (bond)
Location: West side of SW Miller Hill Road, south of Georgene Court (near Hazeldale Elementary School) Size: 2.02 acres Cost: $530,000 Acquisition date: 12-4-12 Purpose: Future neighborhood park
Purchase #6 (bond)
Location: South of SW Farmington Road, west of the Lilly K. Johnson Woods Natural Area (east Aloha area) Size: 2.45 acres Cost: $478,000 Acquisition date: 10-15-12 Purpose: Expansion of the Lilly K. Johnson Woods Natural Area Note: A Metro Nature in Neighborhoods capital grant of $107,000 helped pay for this parcel
Purchase #7 (bond)
Location: North of SW Canyon Lane between 71st and 75th (West Slope area) Size: 1.66 acres (adds to an adjacent .29-acre acquisition completed in early 2012) Cost: $367,000 Acquisition date: 8-10-12 Purpose: Future neighborhood park
Purchase #8 (non-bond, funded by SDCs)
Location: East side of NW Kaiser Road at intersection with Brugger Road Size: 1.34 acres Cost: $435,000 Acquisition date: 9-13-12 Purpose: Future community park
The Park District has no immediate plans or funding to develop the properties earmarked as future neighborhood parks. No development will occur until an extensive public planning process has been completed.
# # #
Contact:
Bob Wayt
Director – Communications
503/614-1218 (direct)
503/686-5134 (cell)
Date: January 14, 2013
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Click here for official release (PDF).