Mayor’s Corner: February 2022

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Jason Snider, Mayor's Corner
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Tigard is filled with more than 550 acres of amazing parks, greenways, and natural areas that offer places to be active and exercise. These areas are also places of peace, tranquility, and beauty for everyone who visits them. Many of us have found solace in these areas during the trying times of Covid-19.

With the recent adoption of the Parks and Recreation System Plan, a foundation is now in place for improving and expanding our park system for the next 10 years. I am confident in this foundation because your voices were at the center of it. You wanted us to think big and boldly, which aligns with the plan’s overall goal: to provide high-quality parks and recreational opportunities within a 10-minute walk of everyone.

We will be action-oriented yet fiscally responsible as we implement this bold vision. There is much to be excited about in the early phases of implementing the plan, including these five projects:

Steve Street Park – Let’s start with the park that I get asked about most. Steve Street Park is high on our priority list. The property is currently maintained as an open space. In 2022, we will begin designing the transformation of this 1.37-acre property into a neighborhood park. When the transformation is complete, community members will be able to enjoy a community garden, play structures, and loop trail.

Bagan Park – If you visit Bagan Park today, you will find a grove of mature deciduous trees, an open meadow, and the Ash Creek stream corridor. Our vision is to turn this 8.25-acre property into a neighborhood park with a focus on small-group activities and passive recreation. We will begin design work later this year.

Cook Park Inclusive Play & Accessible Boat Ramp – Cook Park is our showcase park. It’s what many people think of when they think about Tigard. We will take two major steps in 2022 to increase the park’s accessibility to all community members and visitors.

An accessible boat dock with adaptive hardware and low freeboard design, for ease of access, will be added at the boat launch. Individuals with physical impairments will gain improved access to the Tualatin River for kayaking, canoeing, and paddleboarding. Also, by the end of 2022, our younger community members will be playing with their friends on a universally designed and Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) accessible playground at Cook Park.

Lasich Lane Property Development Plan – In the months ahead, we will start the planning phase for this 28.4-acre property in the River Terrace area, north of the Tualatin River Wildlife Refuge. You will play a key role in identifying the recreational facilities desired at this future community park. This is the first of two community parks planned in the River Terrace area.

Summerlake Park – Along with expanding our park system, we must upgrade existing facilities. One of those improvements is to meet the increased demand for pickleball courts. This spring, renovations at Summerlake Park will lead to four permanent pickleball courts on one side with mixed tennis/pickleball on the other side. As we move forward with implementing the Parks and Recreation System Plan, we will continue to look for opportunities to provide additional courts.

This is just the beginning of our work. For the next 10 years, we will continue our momentum to create a more equitable, connected, healthy, and sustainable park system.

I invite you to learn more, or ask questions, at my next virtual Fireside Chat on Thursday, March 3, at 6:30 p.m. on Facebook and YouTube. In the meantime, if you have questions or comments about any city-related issue, you can reach me at jason@tigard-or.gov or 503-810-0269.

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