2016 bond projects feature community park, synthetic turf, trail link

Although most of the work resulting from its 2008 bond measure is complete, the Tualatin Hills Park & Recreation District still has some major construction projects to finish – three of them this year:

• The district will soon begin development of a 21.5-acre community park at and around Mountain View Middle School in Aloha. Among the new sports fields to be created are "Champions Too," Oregon's first multipurpose athletic field designed for people of all abilities.
• Just north of the Tualatin Hills Nature Park near 158th Avenue, THPRD will connect the Westside Trail to the Waterhouse Trail, one of the final links in a mostly continuous trail system that will extend 10 miles north-south from PCC Rock Creek to Barrows Road (south of Scholls Ferry Road).
• The park district also plans to install a new synthetic turf field at Conestoga Middle School in south Beaverton to help address continually growing demand from Beaverton-area athletes.

THPRD’s projects at the Mountain View and Conestoga schools are made possible by an intergovernmental agreement with the Beaverton School District that emphasizes shared use of facilities and resources. The park district and BSD have been partners since 1964.

"It’s a big year for us with these three projects," said Doug Menke, THPRD general manager. "We're anxious to get started on construction and bring the benefits of these new amenities to our residents as soon as possible."

New community park in Aloha

The 21.5-acre community park, which is temporarily labeled as Southwest Quadrant Community Park until a permanent name is assigned, takes in not only BSD property at Mountain View but other parcels of land THPRD has acquired around it.

Features will include side-by-side synthetic turf fields with lights, a Champions Too field with lights, and a natural grass baseball field with a multipurpose outfield. Other amenities: tennis courts, play equipment, community garden, shelters, a restroom and concession stand, pathways, an open lawn area and parking.

The unique Champions Too field will be used by athletes of all abilities. The complex will also include a 5,000-square-foot inclusive play area.
Construction of the community park is scheduled to start this summer and be completed in the fall of 2017.

Westside Trail-to-Waterhouse Trail connection

About $15 million of THPRD's bond measure was earmarked for trail expansions, and the district has spent the last several years filling in gaps in the Westside and Waterhouse Trails. In 2016, the two trails will be connected to each other.

Construction of the link is slated to start in April and be completed this fall. THPRD also plans trestle improvements, safety upgrades at the MAX crossing on Merlo Road, and a relocated and improved mid-block crossing on 158th Avenue.

New field at Conestoga MS

At Conestoga Middle School, the park district will convert the existing northeast field from natural grass to synthetic turf. Lights will be installed for increased playing time and ADA-accessible features will be added.

Construction is scheduled to start this summer and be completed in the fall.

Natural Resources to be active too

On the natural resources side, THPRD will partner with Clean Water Services to increase habitat diversity, promote native wildlife, and improve water quality along the Rock Creek Trail between West Union Road and Kaiser Road. Non-native plants will be removed and replaced with thousands of native plants over an area of about 40 acres. Work is expected to begin in summer 2016 and take several years, with most of it completed in three years.

About THPRD
THPRD is the largest special park district in Oregon, spanning about 50 square miles and serving nearly 240,000 residents in the greater Beaverton area. The district provides year-round recreational opportunities for people of all ages and abilities. Offerings include thousands of widely diverse classes, more than 90 park sites with active recreational amenities, 60 miles of trails, eight swim centers, six recreation centers, and 1,400 acres of natural areas. For more information, visit www.thprd.org or call 503-645-6433.