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08/08/2011 - Packet City of Tigard Parks & Recreation Advisory Board Agenda The purpose ofthe Parks and Recreation Advisory Board is to advise and advocate for park and recrea tion opportunities for a growing Tigard. MEETING DATE: August 8, 2011 7:00 — 8:30 p.m. MEETING LOCATION: Brown Auditorium, Public Works Building, 8777 SW Burnham St. 1. Call to Order and Roll Call. 2. Approval of Minutes: July 11, 2011. 3. Comments from the Audience. 4. Bond Measure Update. 5. Recreation and Events Steering Committee Concept Discussion. 6. Topics for Joint Meeting with Council in September. 7. Non-Agenda Items. 8. Next Meetings. September 12, PRAB Meeting September 20,Joint Meeting with Council October 10, PRAB Meeting 9. Executive Session. 10.Adjourn. Executive Session: The Parks and Recreation Advisory Board may go into Executive Session under the provisions of ORS 192.660 (1) (d), (e), (0 & (h) to discuss labor relations, real property transactions, current and pending litigation issues and to consider records that are exempt by law from public inspection. All discussions within this session are confidential; therefore nothing from this meeting may be disclosed by those present. Representatives of the news media are allowed to attend this session, but must not disclose any information discussed during this session. PARKS & RECREATION ADVISORY BOARD AGENDA—August 8, 2011 City of Tigard 1 13125 SW Hall Blvd.,Tigard, OR 97223 1 503-639-4171 1 www.tigard-or.gov I Page 1 oft The Fit of the Proposed EAST BULL MOUNTAIN PARK � . . To PRAB Matrix criteria 44 ( Y N U Y ✓ �qAr 41 p fit P e y, 3 3 v bra}. ✓ � t 2 p x �S gp� �+,� a 'lam+r"� #� a� g !�.,�, � � _•,�a � �"- "�. �A 1 ,a S' t , ya1�'q�'k�� t f* •k Ta ^'.F 4��yl �'�# � va a k� .; ># r. F , v, t r t ah s AMR This d not replace other Supp iv bmit d t the Park Advisory Board:` Pearl Paulson d Paulson@ipns.com 503-524-8375 r s, s 4 , THE FIT OF THE PROPOSED EAST BULL MOUNTAIN PARK TO PRAB MATRIX CRITERIA 2010/12 An aerial view of the property, 13950 SW Alpine Crest Way, is on the cover. w. aw 1. Is it identified in a park master plan or the Park System Master Plan? The developers of the 2009 Master Plan did not know of the availability of the East Bull Mountain property which was first listed January 2009, and then at twice its current price. 1.1 Does the potential property fit well into the Park System Master Plan? Yes. The property satisfies all four categories of the "Needs Analysis": Parkland, Recreation Facilities, Trails, and Recreational Programming. rw • The plan asserts that"neighborhood parks are the foundation of the parks and recreation system, as they provide accessible recreation and social opportunities to nearby residents" and specifies a neighborhood park need for 34.12 additional acres for the 2008 population. • The property has potential for recreation facility needs described in the master plan, specifically, open space for playing fields and an existing dwelling that could become a community center(meeting space.) • It is perfectly situated for connecting existing trails and neighborhoods. • It is an apt setting for recreation programming, specifically, nature%nvironmental education because of its forested and meadow areas, and the aforementioned meeting space.) 1.2 Does the property fit well into the purpose of the 2010 Bond Measure? Yes. City of Tigard Parks Bond Measure No. 34-181 was titled:A Bond to Acquire Open Spaces, Protect Clean Water, Improve Parklands with an"80%allocation or more to acquire land to preserve open space,parklands and wildlife habitat,protect streams for improved local water quality to benefit fish and wildlife. • The eight-acre East Bull Mountain property is undeveloped except for one house, has both forest and open- land, and is appropriate for a neighborhood walk-to park. • It is an important wildlife corridor as well as having many resident species. See Exhibit A. • Its forested and meadow areas protect adjacent streams that flow into Fanno Creek and the Tualatin River. system. MW w. 1.3 Does the property fit well into the Trails Master Plan? Yes.As stated in it's executive summary, The Tigard Greenway Trails System Master Plan seeks to improve op- portunities for active transportation (walking and bicycling), recreation, and nature education in Tigard and the �` surrounding region by increasing the connectivity of the existing trail network and setting priorities for future trail development. V" • A trail running east to west through the East Bull Mountain property would connect existing neighborhood trails T-8 and T-9. See Exhibit B.. go • A trail running through the proposed park would connect Neighborhoods 10 and 13, as well as specific de- velopments within these neighborhoods. No • The proposed trail would connect the forested Morningstar ravine parallel to Benchview, and the forested hillside and watershed running across Greenfield and Gaarde. Im • The proposed trail would allow access to the mature forest that covers much of the acreage, and allows na- ture play, observation, and education. as 1.4 Does the project fit into the specific park master plan,comprehensive plan,or regional plan? ,,m Yes. It is harmonious with a specific Park master plan proposal, with the City's master plan, and with Metro's master plan. t, A neighborhood park at P-9 is a Master Plan recommendation, but the Master Plan's Map 3: Park Concept Map had no better alternative than to identify property adjacent to the Water Department, which the Plan calls "a last option."The East Bull Mountain property, which came to the Advisory Board's attention after am publication of the Master Plan, creates an excellent new option for addressing the needs of a neighborhood park at P-9. ..� Tigard's Comprehensive Plan (Goal 8) calls for a "wide variety of recreational opportunities available through a diverse system of parks, trails, and open spaces" Currently, the P-9 neighborhoods do not enjoy nearby"open space, wildlife habitat, and natural resources... nor...informal meeting places to draw people �. together and create a sense ofplace. "The proposed site would connect housing developments built without provision for parks or playgrounds, and neighborhoods whose streets deadend in cul de sacs. • Metro's Greenspaces Program Master Plan seeks to "cultivate a strong sense of stewardship for the natural resources among the region's constitutents. It seeks to foster and shape a civic ethic ffor preserv- ing natural areas and greenspaces.]" It should be noted that Metro is a cooperative regional system, and that Tigard is one of its partners. An East Bull Mountain Park with its unique natural areas and availability to families would help Tigard citizens develop this ethic of stewardship: "Nature play is found to be the most common influence on the development of adult conservation values." (GreenHearts) It would also be compatible to Metro's goals (Part Two) for Natural Area Sites, Interconnections and Areas Deficient in Greenspaces. Currently, the east side of Bull Mountain lacks a developed greenspace within a child's walk- ing distance. Moreover, the closest ones are across dangerous, heavily-trafficked streets (e.g., Bull Mountain Road, Benchview, Walnut.) .. 2. Does it serve an underserved area or is it identified as a high priority for a particular OW neighborhood or City area (location, population)? Yes, it is in an area that the Master Plan designates as underserved, and whose citizens have pe- -• titioned for formation of this park. There is no park between East Bull Mountain and 99E except for a short, linear greenway trail. N 2.1 Does the property meet a neighborhood need (1/4mile standard)? do Yes. Map 2 of the Tigard Park System Master Plan Update, shows the proposed land to be in a"white area." • It is not within a quarter mile, or even a half mile, of an existing park or school service area. • The nearest park is the tiny Elizabeth Price Park which lacks the natural features of the proposed acreage, and is a prohibitive distance from much of P-9 area.. O 2.2 Does the property meet a local need, or serve a large population of users? *10 Yes. By the year 2015 3,869 people will live in a half-mile radius, 8,790 people in a three-quarter mile radius. • Two new subdivisions are under construction. aw • People neighboring this parcel of land recognize the need:A petitioner easily collected 243 signatures in support of the park. d" 2.3 Is the property in an area that lacks that type of park, open space, or facility? Yes. See 2.1, confirming that it does not meet a 1/4 mile or even 1/2 mile access standard. • It adjoins undevelopable, city-owned ravines, and it will be shown how the East Bull Mountain Park is criti- cal for protecting the habitat of greenspaces already owned by the city. See 3.4. • This area of Tigard also lacks a community facility. The property has a dwelling that could be used for meet- ings, youth groups, and nature education. (4) Do you as a PRAB member think this is a good park or open space? Surely! If you have walked the property you have surely been struck by its suitability---and unique beauty. This is a gem that, if lost,the City could never restore or replace it. • Large stands of mature trees, both deciduous and conifers, a wildlife-protecting "understory" of younger trees and shrubs, and a forest floor of fallen leaves and branches enriching the soil with organic matter for wildflowers. • Flat open areas for playing fields. • Perhaps you stood at the slope on the east end of the property, imagined a picnic ground there, and won- dered what views of Mt Hood and the City an arborist could open up by careful pruning. 3. Does it meet a need for the park system as a whole (quality of uniqueness, connectivity)? Yes. It is unique because of its beautiful hilltop location, mature forested area, and wildlife; and its potential for connecting existing trails, open spaces, and neighborhoods. 3.1 Is this a park type that is needed,wanted, or lacking in the City of Tigard? Yes. Not only is it in an underserved area(See Criterion 2) it is greatly wanted by residents of the area. • Neighbors have done more than sign a petition,they have also shown their support by attending and making "" statements at not one, but several, board meetings. • Citizens wrote letters to the City. In a letter to the City Council, Terry and Corine Mahon, avid walkers, 4M wrote that"because we have no good parks near our home, we usually drive to Beaverton and use their parks."They urged development of the "picturesque and heavily wooded large property on Alpine Crest Way (the proposed East Bull Mountain Park), not only for"a badly needed place to walk or bike," but also "" as "a SAFE place for children to play." See Exhibit C-1. Other potential taxpayers bought homes elsewhere. See Exhibit C-2. too • Stakeholders in Tigard's Trail System Master Plan have mapped how a trail across the property would con- nect existing trails. (Exhibit D) �. • Children in the area do not have a safe place to play. Elizabeth Price Park is distant and does not have safe access. Most homes on this side of the mountain either have small, steeply sloped lots, or they are town- houses without play facilities. Even untrafficked streets are too steep for strollers or wheeled toys.And in the gutters at the bottom of many streets you will find a collection of runaway balls and other playthings! Families in this area need the flat play area that is waiting for them at the proposed East Bull Mountain Park. 3.2 Is the quality of the land high for the use? (Examples: are there large trees, good habitat areas, flat areas for playing fields) Yes. Most of the property is forested and supports a variety of wild animals, birds, and flowers. Part of the meadow area could be sacrificed for playing fields. Please also see Criterion 3.4. • The trees, except for plantings right around the house, are natives. They include douglas firs, bigleaf maples, dogwood, alders, and hazelnuts. • The property's importance as wildlife habitat has increased in the past ten years: Development of surround- ing property has diminished the existance of dead trees large enough for nesting pileated woodpeckers' or ,.. fallen logs for their foraging, cover and forage for deer and other mammals, and enough habitat to accom- modate turf wars between competing species--like the five species of squirrels that depend on the area. See also Criterion 3.4 and Exhibit A. • Currently, the open space is meadow which provides habitat for even more flora and fauna. However, de- veloped play space is also important, and proximity to the forested areas will encourage families to explore • them. r 3.3 Does the property connect to other public lands or easements? .w Yes, the property adjoins the city-owned, relatively-large open space in a ravine that runs between Morningstar and Benchfield, and connects this open space to one that runs down to Greenfield (past a Water Quality catchba- °� sin) and across Greenfield to an even larger city-owned open space by Gaarde which extends south toward Bull Mountain Road. This is clarified by reinspection of Exhibit B . w 3.4 Does this help connect a trail system or habitat? Yes,both trails and habitats. .r • Connecting existing trails is very important. The trails that currently end at the East Bull Mountain Park Aft property are not long enough to be valuable for walking. (Recall the Mahon letter, Exhibit C-1) However, if they are connected, as shown in Exhibit D, the resulting trail will be a functional recreational asset for the City as well as useful in connecting communities that are currently apart. «V • Connecting forested spaces is at least as important. Many species currently at East Bull Mountain Park and in its adjacent City-owned open spaces cannot survive without a large "home range,"For example, an w individual pileated woodpecker's home range is almost two acres, with more required for a nesting pair. Flying squirrels have similar home-range requirements. Some animals, like the western gray squirrel, rely on an interconnecting tree canopy. Each of these species (See Exhibit A) is already diminished in the face of 4W nearby housing developments, and they will not survive on East Bull Mountain if its wooded areas do not remain connected. • Currently,the City-owned greenspaces are extensions of the proposed park property. If this forested proper- ty not preserved, the newly-isolated greenspaces will no longer be able to support the abundant wildlife that Tigard residents currently enjoy, not just in homes bordering the greenspaces but surprisingly distant ones. ... (Again, refer to Exhibit A.) .w an w 4. Is the land important in size, habitat, or vulnerability (depends on type of project)? Yes, this eight acre, forested tract provides the City with a rare opportunity to acquire a park of substantial size and habitat importance, and if it is not acquired by the City it will shortly be- come another housing development--ironically making the need for a park even more urgent but less attainable! OW 4.1 Is the property vulnerable to development? to Yes.The area is burgeoning with new developments. ova • It is being actively marketed for development, and the asking price has recently dropped. • Development has continued even during the recession and building slump. 4W • Two new developments are currently going up on Alpine Crest Way. • Utilities are already available from the property. These include sewer, water, storm water drains, electical, gas,phone and internet access. 4.2 Is the property large enough to accomplish a specific purpose? (examples: Potso large enough for a dog park: Summer Creel area large enough to be a natural area community park?) ,., Yes. Eight acres are enough to support both developed play areas (especially ones with family emphasis) and also preserve natural areas. • Most of these eight acres are wooded habitat sufficient to sustain or restore diminishing species,particularly since the wooded areas are adjacent to other wooded areas owned by the City. See Criterion 4.4. �.. • Some of the property is already cleared and flat enough for playing fields. Prior to clearing additional space it will be important to weigh the need for mature forest and playing fields. •r+ 4.3 Does the project or use fit well on the property? Yes, particularly as a neighborhood, walk-to park. OW • There are entrances on all four sides of the tract, making it convenient to all of the surrounding neighbor- hoods. W • The cleared area, which will probably be used for developed play areas, is central to the plot and with direct access from two entry points, one on each side. • The remaining entrances give good access to the trail that will run alongside the developed area. • The mostly-flat property drops sharply on the east end, affording potential overlooks of the City and Mount Hood. Exhibit E. dw WO 4.4 Does the project help make a significant habitat area? •• Yes, because of its diversity of vegetation,wildlife currently in residence, and its sufficient size. • The property has a rich abundance and variety of ecosystems: wooded and open areas,flat areas and sharp inclines, slopes facing east and slopes facing west. Each orientation supports its own unique ecology of flora and fauna. Most of the land has indiginous trees , shrubs, wildflowers and grasses. t. With the adjacent wooded ravines already owned by the city, its mature forests are sufficient to support an astounding variety of wild life. Many species require large "home ranges" See 3.4. • Exhibit A provides some insight into how a rich habitat can enhance a community, and how preserving the habitat preserves Tigard's quality of life. • We need the park to preserve the habitat of still other kinds of wildlife that have called East Bull Mountain io "home", ones we have seen only rarely in recent years: These include the tiny flying squirrels that used to raid our sunflower feeders at night, the ringing calls of a pair of pileated woodpeckers as they flew through our ravine, and the winsome little saw whet owls that murmured outside our bedroom windows. a� fir List of Exhibits A. Picture Essay: WHO Wants East Bull Mountain Park? (New) B. Existing Walking Trails (Previously submitted) C-1 and C-2. Letters of Support (Previously submitted) D. Proposed Trail Connecting Property (Previously submitted) E. Contour Map of the Property. Exhibit A WHO Wants EastMountam* The Tigard Police car cruised past, did a U-turn, and pulled up alongside me. I was walking on a residential street one block north of Walnut. The officer rolled down his window and asked in disbelief, "That brown house you just passed, did I really see a deer in its front yard?" I chuck- led. "Probably. They live right up there." I pointed to the property now proposed for East Bull Mountain Park. I was so accustomed to seeing deer in my own front yard that I had not even given it a thought " when I walked by the one that amazed the officer. Now I was sur- "r prised only at how far they roamed! We also see (and hear!) coyotes. This one was photographed in a ravine three lots down from the Paull prop- erty line. The Paull property on East Bull Mountain is a magnet for wildlife. When there was a bear in downtown Portland, guess what was found in a ravine near the Paull property? Bear scat, positively identified! irr The Paull property, what is proposed for East Bull Moun- tain Park, is a major corridor its for wildlife.As other areas get developed, we see de- creasing numbers of pileated woodpeckers. (They were the inspiration for Woody Wood- pecker. Maybe that is why we love them so much.)Adults are the size of crows, and for their nests they excavate holes in the big fat trunks of dead or drying trees. The Paull prop- erty is one of the few places in Tigard where they can nest. Northern Gray Squirrels use the Paull property. (Wash- = r ington already has them on f its list of threatened species.) PICTURE. They don't linger long in our adjoining ravine. +, But we get a pleasure when- ever these oversize specimens with their silver tails and Ow creamy white underside visit our decks. The fox squirrels, Douglas "chickadees", and chipmunks are much more common and probably benefit from The Paull property but don't"require" it.. Now, the flying squirrels, these sweet miniature koala bears, they're another thing. They raided our sunflower feeders precisely at 10:30 every evening, before sailing from tree to tree, almost certainly back to the Paull property—be- cause they need that size and kind of habitat to survive. Their visits came to a stop soon after I heard the saw-whet owls holding their gentle conversa- tions outside our bedroom win- dow. PICTURE So, I don't know if it was the saw whet owls that "did in" our flying squirrels, , p some other less-charming preda- tor, or simply the diminishing habitat. Saw-whets aren't our only owls. One night, a neighbor telephoned everybody on our block, and we gathered at the Paull property fence to hear a Great Horned Owl ask "Who?" Who? Well, that's us, Tigard residents who "connect" because we want to keep this wonderful Paull property natural, the eight acres that we hope to call "East Bull Mountain Park!" • i • dw • • ' • • ' • • . ,y { ,a y� r s. �• 104, VIA " p} P r r @a xeT 5 y N '.�� '$�• fir. ' r / F t ,t F k �'4 x !�kk At • 1 +��. � art; � ,�~ �x ra E 4 :. °�= ° ! j Exhibit C-1 Letter Mahon 12766 SW Bugle Ct Tigard 97224 May 14, 2011 To the Tigard City Council.- We ouncil:We are writing in support of creation of a park on Bull Mountain. We are both 58 years old, and we are avid walkers. We walk two miles each day, usually in public parks. Because we have no good parks near our home, we usually drive to Beaverton and use their parks, especially Greenway and Commonwealth. We also use Tigard's Summerlake and Cook Parks, as well as Durham's city park. We moved here five years ago from southern California. The biggest attraction for us was the physical beauty of Oregon's landscapes. We've found public parks to be a very practical way to enjoy Oregon nature every day. However, we've been frustrated by the lack of any good place to walk here on Bull Mountain. We were pleased when the water reservoir property was converted into Elizabeth Price Park on Bull Mountain, because it was a good use of available land, creating a "better than nothing" park. However, the park is not suitable for walking, and the parking and access are terrible and unsafe for children. Despite the difficult access, the park is heavily used, almost exclusively by mothers with small children. Many of them park by our house, a block away, and walk to the park, pushing their strollers. The heavy utilization of Elizabeth Price Park, despite its poor access and limited offerings, is indicative of the great need for a larger and better park on Bull Mountain. The picturesque and heavily wooded large property on Alpine Crest Way would be an ideal park site, giving Bull Mountain residents a badly needed place to walk or bike, and providing a SAFE place for children to play. We urge the City Council to consider allocating park funds for acquisition and development of the Alpine Crest property for a park that residents of this area need. Respectfully, Terry E. and Corine L. Mahon 503-747-4817 mahon.terry@comcast.net Exhibit C-2 Letter J/J,/2011 To: Neal Brown From: Matt and Kristin Gorman 10100 SW Redwing Ter Beaverton, OR 97007 RE: Bull Mountain Dear Neal: This letter is a follow-up to the conversation we had a few weeks back. As you know, my wife and I were looking for a home in 2008. We wanted to stay in the Beaverton-Tigard area and were considering many neighborhoods. We have two young children, so proximity to parks was one of the top criteria for our search. We found a home on Bull Mountain that we liked a great deal. We considered making an offer on this home, but decided against doing so due to the fact that there were no parks anywhere close to the Hillshire neighborhood. We liked the house a great deal, but did not want to have to get in the car and drive some distance to get to a park so our kids could play. We ended up eventually purchasing a home in the Murrayhill neighborhood of Beaverton where there are several parks, pools, tennis and basketball courts. I truly believe the lack of parks on Bull Mountain is affecting the value of the homes in that area. As you know, I am a real estate broker that focuses on the West Portland, Beaverton and Tigard areas. It is not uncommon to hear potential buyers state that they will not consider the Bull Mountain area due to the lack of parks. In fact, I believe that there was an article to this effect in the Oregonian a few years back. I would strongly urge the local government to consider adding parks to this area. I believe the impact would be extremely beneficial to current and future homeowners. Sincerely, 1 c M I Gorm� m z a - PI. v V • f ` 00 CL O • n O rt -• O "4 Feet 0 500 r " i Wka ,. .. 41. eplt / 1101 woousH�R LISW h � "+ MES .�4:' 'F;#!o A i ! �R H # a, TAW 1 F .v (� 13950 SW Alpine Crest Way 10 ft Contours MR . - • (:3 Slope=>25% (12 degrees) 100ft Contours