PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — Clark County residents have just a few days left to weigh in on officials’ nearly $75 million plan to improve parks over the next six years.
County leaders said the Public Works’ Parks and Lands Division has noticed an increase in park-use rates within the past two decades, prompting the need for even more investment in the system.
“Due to the age of the system, continued growth and subsequent increased use levels of the park system facilities will increase the need for a focus of capital expenditures toward existing facilities,” officials wrote in the Capital Improvement Plan. “Investment in the existing parks will reduce daily maintenance needs by replacing deteriorating park amenities that require frequent attention with new or rehabilitated assets.”
The Parks and Land Division estimates it will spend about $74.6 million on improvements from 2025 to 2030, with the highest annual cost slated for 2025.
In 2025, officials plan to conduct major maintenance on a number of pre-existing sites including Lacamas Lake Regional Park, Salmon Creek Regional Park, and Klineline Pond. County leaders also hope to begin new development on properties like the Mt. Vista Neighborhood Park and Heritage Farm.
New courts for pickleball and other sports, parking lots, ADA improvements, and children’s garden pavilions are also among the proposed upgrades. Officials said many of these upgrades were identified as critical in 2022, when the county released its Parks, Recreation and Open Space Plan.
The division will fund any capital improvements with park impact fees, real estate excise taxes and the county general fund.
The public must submit their comments on the proposal by Tuesday. Clark County staff will consider the comments when revising their plan, which is scheduled to undergo a final review by the Parks Advisory Board on Aug. 13.
Officials plan to adopt a plan by September or October.
