Dear Supporters of Portland Parks & Recreation, 

I am pleased to announce the final project list for Phase 2 of the Parks Replacement Bond will include the following critical safety and repair projects:

• Fully renovate and increase accessibility at playgrounds at Gabriel Park, Gilbert Primary Park, and Glenhaven Park. 
• Replace play pieces that need repair and/or have tested positive for lead-based paint; improve drainage and replace engineered wood fiber (ADA-approved woodchips) at 30 parks across the city.
• Replace trail bridges and decking at Foley-Balmer Natural Area, Marshall Park, and on the Springwater Trail.
• Repair the mechanical systems at Peninsula Outdoor Pool.
• Remove accessibility barriers at East Portland Community Center, Mt. Tabor Park, Multnomah Arts Center, and other PP&R sites.
• Make seismic improvements at Multnomah Arts Center.
• Remove lead from the water supply at Fernhill Park.
• Replace a restroom at Pier Park.
• Replace the roofs at Matt Dishman Community Center, Montavilla Community Center, and Sellwood Park Kitchen.
• Upgrade the electrical system at Matt Dishman Community Center.
• Per the recommendation of the Bond Oversight Committee, a $2 million contingency will also be created to ensure successful completion of these projects.

I want to say thank you once again for demonstrating your commitment to repairing and improving the most critical safety and repair needs in our parks by supporting the Parks Replacement Bond in November 2014. This measure passed because 74% of you voted “Yes” to authorize $68 million in bonds. I am happy to report that 34 projects are now underway in Phase 1 of the Bond, and five projects are completed.

In 2014, Portland Parks & Recreation (PP&R) staff produced a Phase 1 project list that accounted for $47.6 million of the Bond and noted a second public process would occur in later years to determine how the remaining $20.4 million would be spent in Phase 2. 

PP&R developed the proposed Phase 2 list in late 2016 by reviewing the criteria for the Parks Replacement Bondand determining what remains to fulfill the obligations of the Bond. Staff conducted an asset management study to assess the likelihood of and the impact of failure of park equipment and examined the equity implications. 

In early 2017, the community gave feedback on the proposed Phase 2 list at meetings and online. As Parks Commissioner, I want to thank everyone who took time to participate, as your insight into your community's priorities is truly invaluable in verifying the proposed Phase 2 list. All the comments received were shared with me for my consideration.

The Bond program is successfully meeting its goal of addressing critical repair needs, but we know that there still remains a $258M funding gap for major maintenance needs over the next ten years. Since this Bond is for repair and replacement, it also does not address the anticipated $480M funding gap in funded growth needs expected over the next 10 years. Please know that I will continue to work with the community to identify further funds to meet these growing needs.

Thank you again for your support of Portland’s parks system, and I look forward to celebrating the completion of all the Bond projects.

Sincerely,

Commissioner Amanda Fritz

Phase 2 Project List  

 Phase 2 Project Map  |  Outreach Summary  |  Community Suggestions

Portland Parks & Recreation created the Phase 2 project list by:

• Identifying the remaining obligations to fulfill the Bond language voted on in 2014.
• Using the following criteria, which was developed from public input and surveys for development of the first Bond project list in 2014.

Criteria for 2014 Parks Replacement Bond Projects

1. Investing in projects that are immediate safety concerns or urgent repairs (urgency = highest probability of failure x highest impact of failure)

2. Investing in projects that reduce bigger costs later on

3. Responsible repairs for general deferred maintenance needs

4. Investing in energy efficiency

5. Increasing accessibility for all

6. Restoring services that are currently closed

Timeline for Phase 2 Project Selection

• Late 2016 - Early 2017: PP&R staff created a draft list of projects based on the remaining funds and the above Bond project criteria.  

• February 2017: Neighborhood Coalition parks committees or land use committees reviewed the draft list and provided feedback. 

• March - April 2017: Town Halls, stakeholder meetings, and online surveys were utilized to provide broader public input opportunities. An online comment form was available until April 4.

• May - June 2017: The Bond Oversight Committee, Parks Board and PP&R's Budget Advisory Committee (BAC) reviewed the public input and provided project list recommendation to Commissioner Fritz. Commissioner Fritz will make second bond project list recommendation to City Council on Wednesday, June 21, 2017.

• Fall 2017: Bond issuance will fund the second list of projects, and PP&R staff will begin work to implement projects.

Please note: the Phase 2 list Project List follows the Phase 1 list for which construction is still in progress. Find out more on Phase 1 projects here and keep up to date on their progress here.

QUESTIONS?
Contact Maija Spencer at 503-823-5593 or maija.spencer@portlandoregon.gov