Upcoming Shute Park Improvements
The Parks and Recreation Department has been awarded a $79,800 grant from the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) to be used for improvements at Shute Park, including the development of an additional picnicshelter and converting the grass overflow parking area on the park’s west side to year round use with porous surfacing. This park is one of the busiest parks in Hillsboro, and the proposed projects reflect needs identified in the recently adopted Parks and Trails Master Plan.For more details on the project, click the links below:
Aerial photo
Photographs of the project sites
In addition, with funding assistance from the Community Development Block Grant program, the City plans to renovate the park’s main playground area, with additional play equipment to serve a variety of ages and abilities. More specific plans for the new picnic shelter, parking and playground renovations will be developed this fall. A timetable for construction has not yet been determined, but it is anticipated that construction will take place in the spring or fall of 2012 to avoid disrupting the park during the peak summer season.
Hamby Park Playground Renovation - Summer 2011
The playground at Hamby Park is now open. The new equipment has a nature play theme, and provides play areas for both preschool and elementary school aged  children. The new playground is located north of the basketball court and near the picnic shelter. The old play equipment will be removed and additional picnic tables installed near the shelter.
New Community Garden at Orenco Presbyterian Church
There will be more opportunities for gardening in spring 2012 with the development of a new community garden site in partnership with Orenco Presbyterian Church, located at NW 231st Ave and NE Oelrich. Work will begin in fall 2011 on site preparation for the 0.6 acre site, including weed removal, tilling and adding soil amendments.
When developed, the site will offer an estimated 50 garden plots in sizes ranging from 4’x 12’ raised beds to large 20 x 20 plots. Development of the garden plots and pathways will take place over the fall and winter months as weather permits. The garden is expected to be open for use by May. Plot registration will begin in January; meanwhile, a waiting list is being created. For more information, contact Lori.
The Parks and Recreation Department recently adopted a Community Garden Master Plan and hopes to develop a new community garden site each year for the next five years. Currently, there are community gardens at Sonrise Church on Campus Way and at Calvary Lutheran Church on Jackson School Road.
Jackson Bottom Wetlands Restoration
Earth moving equipment and bare dirt that can be seen in the NE portion of Jackson Bottom Wetlands Preserve (JBWP) just south of downtown Hillsboro are part of an important 120â€acre wetland restoration project in the Wapato Marsh area. These 120 acres of degraded wetlands are being returned to a healthy ecosystem.
The Wapato Marsh Restoration Project, an effort by multiple partners including the City of Hillsboro, Ducks Unlimited, Clean Water Services and Metro, will provide improved habitat for many native species, including sensitive Northern red-legged frogs. Prior to the recent earth moving/clearing, most of the Wapato Marsh area was a solid stand of invasive reed canary grass which is useless to both visitors and wildlife. Over the next few months, the project will remove the invasive species and restore the natural hydrology of JBWP, allowing the creation of a variety of wetland habitats including 60 acres of marsh, 20 acres of wet meadow and 40 acres of lowland hardwood forest. These habitats will be extensively planted with native species and managed for several years to establish a strong ecosystem and prevent invasive non-native plants from returning.
View a press release with more information here.
Jackson Bottom North Viewing Area Improvements
The Jackson Bottom Wetlands (JBW) north viewing area will be temporarily used by
Clean Water Services as a staging area for the construction of a new influent pump
station and other improvements at their Hillsboro Wastewater Treatment Facility immediately north of this site.
The viewing area will re-open in the spring of 2012 with new and improved amenities for year-round bird watching and nature enjoyment. During the closure, the public can visit the JBW Education Center just to the south which has a
viewing deck and trails. View a press release with more information here.
Rock Creek Trail Extension—Construction planned for 2012
The Rock Creek Trail is a bike / pedestrian trail currently extending from Orchard Park to the north side of US 26 and Rock Creek Blvd. The trail is considered the primary component of th e City’s Trail Master Plan, and provides scenic views of the Rock Creek Greenway. With help from a $1.275 million federal grant, work is underway for extending the trail south to NW Wilkins Street, a distance of about two-thirds of a mile. The trail will be built during the 2012 construction season.
The Design Option phase was initiated in 2009, and resulted in the selection of a preferred alignment which places the majority of the trail on the west side of the creek. This alignment was selected as it was preferred in public feedback during the planning phase and will be less expensive to construct and maintain. It has a greater setback from the creek and from adjoining residential properties, providing for improved habitat and privacy values. The trail will be a paved 10’ wide surface and designed in accordance with federal standards for accessibility as well as pedestrian and bicycle safety. The majority of the trail will be asphalt, with 1 bridge crossing over the creek and connecting boardwalk. Some scenic overlooks will be developed along the trail route. The trail will provide a connection to NW Cherry Lane, enabling trail users to continue west toward Cornelius Pass Road. The trail will end at NW Wilkins Street, and will include a pedestrian activated signal to facilitate crossing the street to sidewalks or bike lanes on the south side of NW Wilkins. The ultimate vision for the trail is to extend from US 26 in the north all the way to the Tualatin River in the south part of Hillsboro. Presently, the trail extends from just north of US 26 south to Orchard Park.
This drawing shows the profile of the typical trail section (upper right hand corner) and the elegant profile of the bridge and boardwalk where it will cross Rock Creek, going from the Cherry Lane site as it heads toward Wilkins, giving users the feeling of being in a treehouse as the trail gently slopes toward the creek. The colors in the drawing indicate both the normal ordinary high water level (OHW) and the 100 year flood elevation so the viewer can see that the boardwalk is above flood levels.
53rd Avenue Community Park
The 53rd Avenue Community Park, located on 43 acres along NE 53rd Avenue north of Baseline Avenue, will be a unique and special community park featuring diverse outdoor park areas and an indoor recreation center. An initial Master Plan project for the park was completed in 2006, after a five month public involvement process.
The 53rd Avenue Sports Fields, artificial turf multi sports fields located on the southeast 10 acre portion of the park, were opened in summer 2008. An adjacent concession and restrooms building was added in spring 2009. Phase two just north of the sports fields was opened in summer 2010 and includes a plaza area with fountain, creative playground, tennis courts, basketball courts and additional parking. Hillsboro Parks & Recreation was awarded a $500,000 grant from the Oregon Parks & Recreation  Department (Oregon Lottery funds) to help with construction of this 10 acres of the park. In addition, the Hillsboro Soccer Club committed $10,000 toward the project. A grant of $5,000 from the United States Tennis Association Pacific Northwest Section helped with the construction of the tennis courts.
There is a master plan in pace for the portion of the park on the west side of 53rd Avenue, but construction dates are not finalized at this time. Hillsboro Parks & Recreation is continuing to look for funding opportunities for construction of an indoor recreation center.
For more information on the 53rd Avenue Community Park, please visit this page. Please call 503-681-6120 with any questions.
Previously Completed Projects and Improvements
NEW Indoor Playground
Opened February 10, 2011
Downtown Hillsboro now has a new indoor playground and recreation space to provide additional activity and promote quality of life in the downtown core. The Outdoors In Park @ the Plaza is located south of Starbucks in the lower level of the Civic Center building.
The 3,800 square foot space includes a full-sized playground system with slides, an 8’ tall climbing  wall and a unique electronic gaming system that provides a fun, heart-pumping working for kids and adults.
The space also includes multi-purpose space for exercise and other types of classes, birthday parties, events and meetings. There are special hours just for drop-in playground use (parent/guardian must accompany children), and rentals will soon be available.
Dairy Creek Park Habitat & Water Quality Improvements
A portion of Dairy Creek Park was closed for habitat  and water quality improvements. The overall purpose of the project was to repair and upgrade an old stormwater facility. The project stabilized and corrected erosion and the area was replanted with native vegetation. Further, the project included installation of a large underground filtration vault so that storm water is filtered before being discharged to Dairy Creek. The result is improved treatment of storm water and improved water quality in Dairy Creek. For project details, click here.
Hondo Dog Park Improvement Projects
Two improvement projects were recently completed at Hondo Dog Park:
Lighting Project
In an effort to make the winter area of the dog park more usable into the evening hours during our short Oregon winter days, lighting has recently been added to the area in time for use this winter season. Funding for this project came from fundraising efforts by the Hillsboro Dog Association (www.hillsborodogs.org) including sponsorship sales of the benches in Hondo Dog Park. Click here for more information.
Winter Area Surface Project
Pea gravel has recently been installed over the existing sand surface. This provides a cleaner and drier surface in the winter area for dogs and their owners.
Bicentennial Park Renovation—completed summer 2010
Bicentennial Park originally opened during the nation's bicentennial year, 1976, with the assistance of  theAmerican Revolution Bicentennial Commission. Development was continued in 1978 when a soccer field, picnic shelter and playground were added. This 4.4-acre park has recently undergone a major renovation andnow has a new restroom, new walkways which offer improved accessibility, and additional playground equipment and landscaping. Funding for these renovations was provided in part by a federal Community Development Block Grant.
Shute Park Renovation—completed spring 2010
Shute Park, Hillsboro's oldest park, opened in 1906 through a land grant from John Shute, one of the city's most prominent businessmen at that time. The park, located on 10th Avenue between TV Highway and Maple, recently got a face lift. With help from a $55,850 Land and Water Conservation Fund grant, donations from the  Tualatin Valley Garden Club and Hillsboro Chamber of Commerce Beautification Committee, many of the park's most-used areas were improved with new, larger gathering spaces, a fire pit, planters, pathways and better drainage. The playground now features new play equipment, and new benches have been placed within the park so visitors can rest and experience the park.
Hillsboro’s Magnolia Park
 The City of Hillsboro Parks & Recreation Department opened Magnolia Park in summer 2008. This park is located between Walker Road & Cornell at NW 192nd Avenue in the Southwest  Tanasbourne area, in late July 2008. This neighborhood park was developed with the help of the surrounding neighborhood and includes:
- Playground area water feature (zero-depth, with spray jets)
- Picnic area and shelter
- Open grassy areas and relaxing passive areas
- Gentle walking terrain
- Shady tree grove
- Tennis court
- Basketball half-court
Hillsboro Trader Joes has adopted Magnolia Park through our Adopt-a-Park program. Please call 503-681-6120 with any questions about Magnolia Park.
Bagley Park Renovation
 Hillsboro's renovated Bagley Park re-opened in summer 2008! Located on 2nd Avenue between Edison and Jackson Streets, this park originally opened in 1926 as a result of a land donation to the City. Bagley Park is Hillsboro's second oldest park following Shute Park which opened in 1906. Neighbors and residents can now enjoy  an improved Bagley Park with a new playground, restroom, and picnic shelter, as well as reconstructed pedestrian walkways and new landscaping. This project was funded in part by a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and a an Oregon State Parks Local Government Grant (Oregon Lottery funds).
The Heart of Hillsboro Neighborhood Association and City View Charter School have adopted Bagley park through our Adopt-a-Park program.
Rood Bridge Park Woodland Pond Improvements and the Trepha M. Baron Pavilion
Rood Bridge Park's Woodland Pond re-opened in May 2008 featuring a new waterside pavilion and renovated and improved pond including tranquil rock  wateralls, footbridges and pathways. A special dedication to honor the many supporters and donors took place on Saturday, May 17 and was attended by around 80 people.
This wonderful area would not be possible without the help of the community! In addition to the donations listed below, community volunteers helped with hundreds of plantings around the pond's edge. The native plants include an assortment of trees, flowering shrubs, groundcover and wetland plants to frame views ofthe pond and waterfalls, and provide separation between the water’s edge and the pathways. Rhododendrons have also been planted in the landscape bed behind the shelter. Special thanks to the Hillsboro Rotary, Tualatin Valley Garden Club, and Tualatin Valley Chapter of the American Rhododendron Society for their on-going support and volunteer efforts at this special area.
 The Woodland Pond project was funded significantly by private donations. Special thanks to the following donors:
Dal Baker Charitable Trust Lloyd & Trepha Baron Hillsboro Community Foundation Hillsboro Rotary Foundation Amy Beaupre Oregon International Airshow Tualatin Valley Garden Club Tualatin Valley Chapter of the American Rhododendron Society Gifts in remembrance of Dick & Florence Lewis Mary Lewis William Ganger Joy Russ Arden & Connie Sheets Carol & David James Mary Ordal & Joe Grillo Merrill & Betty Jean Ludlam J.G. & Gayle Darr Gifts in Memory of Bonnie Jaron Diane Pielow Dick Cavender Dr. Forrest Bump Daral Pearson Aziz & Deborah Elias.
Special thanks also for the volunteer help of many dedicated community groups & citizens. For more information about this project, please call 503-681-6120. |