City Receives Funding to Complete Three Neighborhood Parks

The City of Milwaukie is expected to receive more than $2.25 million to complete the development of three neighborhood parks: Balfour Park, Bowman-Brae Park and Scott Park. The funding will add park amenities and equipment, while creating gathering spaces and increasing art.

This funding comes through Oregon’s portion of the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) of 2021, passed in March, that is allotted to the state’s senators and representatives. Senator Kathleen Taylor and Representative Karin Power each requested that a portion of their district funds be allocated towards the improvement and development of neighborhood parks.

Before any construction begins at each of the parks, the city will conduct a comprehensive community engagement process to create dialogue between community members and city staff about how they feel these improvements should be carried out and look like once completed. Emphasis in the engagement process will focus on hearing from stakeholders who were not previously involved in master planning processes.

Balfour Park is a 0.8-acre undeveloped neighborhood park site located in the Ardenwald-Johnson Creek neighborhood at 3103 SE Balfour St. The city purchased the land in 2008 with funds from Metro’s 2006 voter-approved natural areas bond measure. The park property features unique topography and a mature tree canopy, and offers the potential for both passive and active recreation.

Bowman-Brae Park is a 0.69-acre undeveloped neighborhood park located at the intersection of SE Bowman Street and SE Brae Street. The city purchased the land in 2011 with assistance from Metro’s voter-approved 2006 natural areas bond measure. The park master plan includes an open lawn, small picnic shelter, picnic tables, benches and play area.

Scott Park is located beside the Ledding Library and next to Spring Creek Pond in downtown Milwaukie. The land was bequeathed to the city by Florence Ledding after her passing in 1961. The site is designated as a natural resource area due to the valuable habitat it provides for domestic and migratory waterfowl. The park stands as a key pedestrian destination and serves as an important site for residential, commercial and civic functions.

“After years of engaging with the community about park needs, and fundraising towards this goal of a new neighborhood park in the Ardenwald/Johnson Creek Neighborhood, I can't thank our elected representatives Karin Power and Kathleen Taylor enough,” said Lisa Gunion-Rinker, Milwaukie Parks Foundation board member and Balfour Park neighbor. “They recognize the importance of parks in our community, and the importance of green spaces that will contribute to the health and well-being of everyone. I’m thrilled about the significant addition of green infrastructure, and the benefits it’ll bring for all creatures great and small.”

Community engagement for the development of the parks is anticipated to begin in fall 2021 with updates to the park master plans beginning in spring 2022. After the final approval processes and contracts are awarded, construction is expected to begin in summer 2023.