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Metro Parks and Nature Bond

In November 2019, voters approved Metro's Regional Parks and Nature Bond measure. The bond provides $5.4 million for Gresham to use locally. 

Projects eligible for funding

  • Buying natural areas or park land. 
  • Restoring fish and wildlife habitat.
  • Improving access to public parks and natural areas.
  • Designing and building nature trails.
  • Providing environmental education.

To receive local share funding, cities propose projects for Metro's approval.

Proposed projects

Southwest Community Park

Plans to design and build this 41-acre undeveloped park include:

  • Picnic facilities
  • Wetland viewpoint
  • Accessible paved and soft-surface trails
  • Community garden
  • Dog park
  • Habitat education area
  • Play area
  • Park entries with signage
  • Parking
  • Restroom

Development may occur in phases as funding becomes available.

Estimated project total

  • Project total: $3.8 million
  • Local Share funds: $1.5 million
    • Local Government grant: $1 million
    • American Rescue Fund Act (ARPA): $250,000
    • System Development Charges: $650,000
    • Remaining funds needed: $400,000

Learn more about the Southwest Community Park concept plan.

Southeast Community Park

Plans to design this 16-acre undeveloped park include:

  • Accessible paved and soft surface trails
  • Picnic facilities
  • Play area
  • Community garden
  • Oak grove and mountain viewpoints
  • Riverbank and floodplain improvements
  • Play area
  • Park entries with signage
  • Parking
  • Restroom.

Future funding will be needed for construction.

Estimated project total

  • Project total: $3.5 million
  • Local Share funds: $1 million
  • Watershed: $1 million
  • American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA): $250,000
  • System Development Charges: $550,000
  • Remaining needed: $700,000

Learn more about the Southeast Community Park concept plan.

Accessibility Improvements in Parks

This work will remove physical barriers in parks across the city and improve access so people of all abilities can enjoy public spaces. Public input in the fall will help identify priority locations.

Estimated project total

  • Project total: $1 million
  • Local Share funds: $350,000
  • Remaining funds needed: $650,000
  • Seek state and federal grants
Forest Health and Brite House Upgrades

This project will assess and plan for forest health in Gresham.  It will carry out forest improvements to make the area more climate-resilient, support sensitive species, and protect water quality.  

Estimated project total

  • Local Share funds:  $750,000
  • Expansion of forest health efforts will rely on securing additional external funding

Brite House project

This project will use the historic home at the base of Shane T. Bemis Nature Park for nature education and workforce development. 

The project will:

  • Improve accessibility.
  • Expand nursery operations to grow native trees and shrubs.
  • Use these plants to support forest restoration and improvements.

Estimated project total

  • Local Share funds: $40,000 
  • Total costs and remaining funding to be determined. 

Approved projects 

Shaull Property

The City purchased the 7.9-acre Shaull property in 2021 for $1.8 million of Gresham's local share of the Metro Parks and Nature bond funds. The site includes wetlands and trees next to Southwest Community Park.

The City's goal is to protect these natural areas and improve access to Southwest Community Park.

Community engagement

Community members and partners helped shape priorities for park improvements.  

  • Undeveloped Park planning - June 2019-October 2020
  • Metro Local Share survey, 2021
  • Parks and Recreation Citizen Advisory Group, 2021-2022

As projects move forward from concept to design to implementation, additional community engagement opportunities will be posted here.

Related links

Questions?

For more information, email Tina.Osterink@GreshamOregon.gov