09/22/2015 - City Acquires Parkland City of Tigard
F . Press Release
EML
13125 SW Hall Boulevard Tigard,Oregon 97223 www.tigard-or.gov
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Sept. 22, 2015
Contact:
Steve Martin
Parks and Facilities Manager
City of Tigard
503-718-2583
steve@tigard-or.gov
City Looks Ahead to Develop New Park Land with Tualatin River Access
The City of Tigard recently purchased property for the first of two community parks planned in the River
Terrace area,using funds from a voter-approved parks levy bond that residents approved in 2010 and dedicated
revenue from development fees that support parks citywide.
"Tigard residents have long told us, and shown us,they support our park system," said Steve Martin,parks and
facilities manager. "This was the right time to acquire property that will meet the city's future needs.Land
acquisition is a complex process, and this property provides excellent opportunities for recreation and
environmental stewardship with access to the Tualatin River."
The 28.4-acre property is located on the west side of Roy Rogers Road,where it intersects with Beef Bend
Road. It lies directly north of the Tualatin River Wildlife Refuge.The City Council authorized the action in July,
and the purchase closed in mid-September at a price of$1.4 million.As part of the sale contract the seller will
lease the property back for three years.
About$500,000 of the purchase used remaining funds in the 2010 parks levy. That$17 million bond measure
was passed to acquire,preserve and protect parks and open spaces. It has already succeeded.Along with more
than$6 million in other funding sources, the city previously had acquired 108 acres of park land and open space
that are now preserved and waiting for future development. The remaining$900,000 of the$1.4 million
purchase came from parks system development charges (SDCs), assessed on new development that impacts the
city's parks infrastructure.
As flat and open land with easy access to the Tualatin River, the future park will include public access for
canoes and kayaks. Currently,Cook Park is the only other property in the city with public access to the river.
The property lies outside the city limits and the urban growth boundary (UGB) and is closest to the new River
Terrace development. City planners expect the property will be brought into that boundary in the future. Until
then,the city cannot fully develop the park,but may be able to open it for some recreation activities in a few
years.
For more information on the city's parks,visit the city's website at:www.tigard-or.gov/parks. Excluding the
newest property, the City of Tigard has more than 510 acres of parks,greenways and natural areas,which
provide a variety of options for recreation,while protecting the area's natural beauty and providing valuable
wildlife habitat.
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