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 City signed a purchase and sale agreement for the Shaull property on June 15. 

Since then, the City has conducted the typical due diligence steps required to complete the purchase. No concerns arose from the environmental site assessment, appraisal and title review.

The City is currently on track to close the sale on Sept. 15. The closing date may be extended to Nov. 1 if needed.

Neighbors near the park may notice operation of heavy equipment at the site. The property owner is removing the site’s structures before the close of the sale, which will greatly reduce the City’s cost to restore the area.

After 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 the adjoining Southwest Community Park will be prioritized against other potential projects for funding. The City will work with local educators, community groups and wildlife experts to design opportunities for nature experiences for park visitors while protecting the habitat.

Shaull property due diligence report

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.
• Tentatively, $700,000 total in state American Rescue Plan Act funds will come from State Representative Ruiz and State Senator Gorsek, although this funding needs to be approved by the federal government. 

• 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