Planning for Parks

The Shaull property is a 7.9-acre property with wetlands and trees next to Southwest Community Park.

The City is pursuing purchase of the property to protect the natural areas and provide greater access to the park.

This purchase received the most votes in the community survey.  

The sale of the Shaull property closed on November 15.  

Next steps

• Now that the sale is final, the City's first priority will be to remove trees that pose a threat to surrounding homes due to root rot. 
• Future improvements to this property and Southwest Community Park will be prioritized against other potential parks projects for funding.  
• The City will work with local educators, community groups and wildlife experts to protect habit and create opportunities for nature experiences for park visitors. 

Background 

• The City signed a purchase and sale agreement for the Shaull property on June 15.  
• The City conducted the typical due diligence steps required to complete the purchase. An environmental site assessment, appraisal of the property and title review were all conducted with no concerns found.  
• Shaull property due diligence report
• The previous property owner removed structures on the site before the close of the sale.   

The total price for the property purchase, completion of site cleanup and structure removal, and other development-related expenses incurred was $2,675,000. 

Funding

• City Council approved an intergovernmental agreement with Metro to allocate up to $2.475 million of Gresham’s $5.4 million share of the 2019 Parks and Nature Bond for this purchase.
• $200,000 will come from our partners at the East Multnomah Soil and Water Conservation District.
  

• Cover and introduction
• Park evaluation
• Community engagement
• Park costs
• Analysis and design
  • Southwest Community Park
  • Southeast Community Park
  • East Gresham Neighborhood Park
  • Jenne Butte Neighborhood Park
  • Southeast Neighborhood Park
  • Columbia View Neighborhood Park
• Appendix

Send comments to Tina Osterink at Tina.Osterink@GreshamOregon.gov. 

The City Council is exploring ways to expand and improve Gresham’s park system, including undeveloped neighborhood and community parks. This is a multi-year Council Work Plan item.

Gresham has six undeveloped parks that include open space or natural areas with no recreational amenities. Two of the six parks are classified as community parks that serve the entire city and provide recreation for all age groups, from easy picnicking and walking to active sports and play areas.  

Each undeveloped park has been broken up into different zones. The zones represent areas for specific activities, such as play areas, dog parks or wildlife viewing. The zones help define areas where we want to protect and preserve the natural environment while maximizing opportunities to activate other areas for public use.

Based on analysis of the unique existing conditions and feedback on the zones diagram during public engagement meetings, the following concept plans were developed:

• Southwest Community Park
• Southeast Community Park
• East Gresham Neighborhood Park
• Jenne Butte Neighborhood Park
• Southeast Neighborhood Park
• Columbia View Neighborhood Park

More about the parks

• East Gresham Neighborhood Park
• Southeast Community Park
• Southeast Neighborhood Park
• Jenne Butte Neighborhood Park
• Southwest Community Park
• Columbia View Neighborhood Park