Access for All

THPRD aims to remove barriers to participation by fostering an inclusive culture and offering programs that celebrate our diverse population. Efforts include translation services, gender-neutral restrooms, multicultural events, and multilingual signage.

THPRD, in partnership with the Tualatin Hills Park Foundation, launched the Access For All initiative in 2014 to expand inclusive and unifying recreational activities for all members of our community, including:

• Children and adults with physical and/or developmental disabilities
• Individuals and families from low-income households
• Patrons experiencing language and/or cultural barriers
• Those limited by mobility or transportation
• Senior citizens and other groups who may face barriers to full participation

A Proud Partnership

Since 1958, THPRD has benefited from the support and fundraising of the Tualatin Hills Park Foundation, whose mission is to develop resources to ensure access to recreation for all THPRD residents.

The Park Foundation takes the lead on projects that reach beyond what the district can accomplish with tax revenue and user fees. The Park Foundation provides resources for special projects the district cannot fund alone, helping to assure that all people, regardless of age, ability, or background, are able to enjoy THPRD’s outstanding parks, facilities and programs.

A Model Community Sports Park

Imagine a 21-acre sports park where everyone is welcome and included.

Imagine a place where people of all abilities are invited to experience the joy of sports (hitting a ball, making a catch, scoring a goal), and the social connection and camaraderie of being part of a team.

Imagine a park designed from the very beginning to provide inclusive sports and recreation to everyone.

In October 2017, THPRD celebrated the grand opening of this new community sports park, Mountain View Champions Park, in Aloha. It is the first park of its kind in the region and features Oregon's first athletic field for people of all abilities.

In developing plans for Mountain View Champions Park, THPRD formed a Champions Too Steering Committee composed of representatives from over 20 disability service organizations. Committee members played an integral role in ensuring the park is inclusive for people of all abilities. THPRD continues to collaborate with this committee to create diverse programming for children and adults experiencing disabilities. Collaborators include representatives from Special Olympics Oregon, Adaptive Sports Northwest, Autism Society of Oregon, and the Beaverton School District's Special Education Department.

Location:

Adjacent to Mountain View Middle School, in Aloha. The park is situated in a culturally and economically diverse neighborhood. (Based on school demographics: 30% Hispanic, 6% Asian, 11% other minority ethnicities.)

Neighborhood families speak some two dozen native languages, and nearly 60% of neighborhood students are eligible for free or reduced lunch.

Amenities include:

• Multi-purpose sports fields
• Tennis courts
• Community garden
• Walking paths, restrooms, and other features designed for people experiencing disability
• “Champions Too! Field” - Oregon's first multi-purpose field designed for children and adults experiencing disability
• Playgrounds and family picnic areas
• Inclusive and accessible children’s play area
• Natural areas with interpretive signage in braille and multiple languages

Impact

While the new all-inclusive sports park is used most intensively by the 15,000 people who live within a five-mile radius of the site, the unique character of the park draws people from throughout the region, whether through organized sports leagues or simply families seeking a place where members of diverse ages and abilities can feel welcome together.

Parks are ideal democratic gathering spaces, where people can reach across cultural barriers to play for the same team and where children and families can meet on the same playground. The park will exemplifies the values of shared community space, where everyone is included.

Mountain View Champions Park is visited by approximately 200,000 people annually and used by approximately 10,000 visitors.

Approximately 40% of frequent park users are people experiencing disabilities and their families (including non-family support providers). Ethnic communities use the park in approximate proportion to their population in the surrounding community. Ultimately, the entire region benefits from a unique park space exemplifying the values of a shared society in which all people are included and welcomed.