PARKS AND RECREATION

CAPITAL FACILITIES MASTER PLAN

Table of Contents

Executive Summary and Master Plan Objectives.............................................................................. 1

Parks District Mission......................................................................................................................... 2

1 Introduction and Background...................................................................................................... 3

1.1 History of the Master Plan........................................................................................................... 3

1.2 Parks District History and Facilities.............................................................................................. 3

1.2.1 Aquatics............................................................................................................................. 3

1.2.2 Sports Facilities................................................................................................................. 3

1.2.3 Recreation Facilities.......................................................................................................... 4

2 Community Profile........................................................................................................................ 5

2.1 Location, Physical Setting, and History of Hood River.................................................................. 5

2.2 Population and Demographics...................................................................................................... 5

3 Recreational Resources Inventory............................................................................................. 7

3.1 Neighborhood Parks................................................................................................................... 8

3.2 Community Parks........................................................................................................................ 9

3.3 Trails, Greenways, Linear Parks, Open Space and Wilderness................................................... 10

3.4 Public School Based Facilities.................................................................................................... 12

3.5 Special Use Parks and Facilities................................................................................................. 13

3.6 Non-Publicly Owned Facilities................................................................................................... 14

3.6.1 Sport Fields and Gymnasiums......................................................................................... 14

3.6.2 Golf.................................................................................................................................. 14

3.6.3 Swimming Pools.............................................................................................................. 14

3.6.4 Recreation/Fitness Centers.............................................................................................. 14

3.6.5 Outdoor Recreation......................................................................................................... 14

3.6.6 Other Facilities................................................................................................................ 14

4 Needs Assessment..................................................................................................................... 15

4.1 Parks and Recreations Standards............................................................................................... 15

4.1.1 LOS Analysis Results....................................................................................................... 17

4.1.2 Level of Standards - Needs Conclusions......................................................................... 22

4.2 Physical Inspection of Facilities.................................................................................................. 24

4.2.1 Parks, Open Space, and Greenways............................................................................... 24

4.2.2 Recreational Facilities..................................................................................................... 24

4.3 Needs Assessment Survey......................................................................................................... 25

4.4 Community Priorities and Opportunities..................................................................................... 26

4.4.1 Columbia River Waterfront Park.................................................................................... 27

4.4.2 Ball Field Complex.......................................................................................................... 27

4.4.3 Community Center / Teen Center................................................................................... 29

4.4.4 Loop Trail System in and around Hood River UGA....................................................... 30

4.4.5 PacificCorp Property Transfer Along Hood River.......................................................... 30

5 Parks District Development Priorities...................................................................................... 31

6 Implementation........................................................................................................................... 33

6.1 Guiding Principals...................................................................................................................... 33

6.2 Implementation Concept Plans................................................................................................... 33

6.3 Cooperation with Schools and Local Governments..................................................................... 33

6.4 Coordination with City and County Planning............................................................................... 33

6.5 Finding Incentives for Developers.............................................................................................. 34

6.6 User Groups and Volunteers...................................................................................................... 34

7 Maintenance............................................................................................................................... 34

7.1 Cooperative Maintenance Agreements....................................................................................... 34

7.2 Maintenance Management Plan.................................................................................................. 34

7.3 User Group Contributions to Maintenance................................................................................. 35

8 Funding Options.......................................................................................................................... 35

8.1 General Fund............................................................................................................................ 35

8.2 System Development Charges (SDC’s)..................................................................................... 35

8.2.1 SDC Background............................................................................................................. 36

8.2.2 SDC Collection................................................................................................................ 36

8.2.3 SDC Rate Updates........................................................................................................... 36

8.3 Partnerships.............................................................................................................................. 36

8.4 Creative cooperation with Developers and Planners................................................................... 36

8.5 Federal/State/Other Grants........................................................................................................ 37

8.6 User Fees and Rents................................................................................................................. 37

8.7 General Obligation Bonds (G.O. Bonds).................................................................................... 37

8.8 Revenue Bonds/Certificates of Participation............................................................................... 37

8.9 Special Assessments and Local Improvement Districts............................................................... 38

8.10 Local Option Levies for Capital Improvements....................................................................... 38

8.11 Local Option Levies for Operations....................................................................................... 38

8.12 Local Tax Options................................................................................................................. 38

8.13 Funding Option Feedback from Survey.................................................................................. 39

Appendix A – Public Survey and Detailed Results.......................................................................... 40

Appendix B – Facility Development Cost Estimates....................................................................... 57

Appendix C – Facility Implementation Concept Plans................................................................... 61

Implementation Concept Plan – West Side of Hood River UGA......................................................... 62

Implementation Concept Plan – South-East Hood River City and UGA.............................................. 63

Implementation Concept Plan – Columbia River Waterfront in Hood River......................................... 64

Implementation Concept Plan – Odell Area........................................................................................ 65

Implementation Concept Plan – Loop Trail System and Connections.................................................. 66

Appendix D – Facility Plan Maps and Concept Implementation Maps.......................................... 67

Facility Master Plan

Executive Summary and Master Plan Objectives

This Capital Facilities Master Plan is designed to assess and define the needs for recreational facilities that are needed throughout the Hood River Valley Parks and Recreation District. The Plan:

· Thoroughly describes current recreational facilities in the Parks District and provides a range of analysis that estimate the future needs of the Parks District.

· Presents Parks District priorities so that adequate open space and public recreation facilities in the City and County will be provided. The summary of needed facilities and defined priorities are presented in Section 5 of this document. Priorities are expected to change as time and community needs and opinions evolve and the Plan will be updated as required to reflect current priorities.

· Aims to facilitate a broad range of innovative “Best in Class” recreational facilities that are uniquely tailored to the interests of our community by presenting materials that can be used by a wide range of local government and citizen groups to plan and implement future facilities.

· Provides guidance materials for community members who spearhead efforts for development of new facilities.

· Provide data, priority inputs, and conceptual implementation plans that can be used by the Parks District, the City and County planning in their ongoing planning decisions. Implementation Concept Plans are presented in Appendix C of this Document.

Parks District Mission

The Mission of the Hood River Valley Parks and Recreation District is to provide recreational opportunities to the citizens of the Parks District, with focus on the youth of our community. Facilities and programs will be developed and maintained to provide safe and economical recreational environments for all users.

1 Introduction and Background

1.1 History of the Master Plan

In February 1995, the Hood River Valley Parks and Recreation District (Parks District) entered an intergovernmental agreement with the City of Hood River (City) to jointly develop a parks and recreation capital facilities master plan (Plan) to address facility needs in the City and the Urban Growth Area (UGA). The Plan focused on the parks and recreational needs of residents within the Hood River UGA, and also addressed those visitor-related needs that impact residents. The plan did not address either tourism-oriented facility needs or parks and recreation needs outside the Hood River UGA. The Parks and Recreation Capital Facilities Master Plan was completed November 1998 with a planning time horizon for the twenty-year period 1998-2017. In 2004, the Parks District updated the Master Plan, expanding the scope of the plan to include the entire Park District with areas from the City and the County, and focusing on the ten-year period encompassing 2005 to 2014.

1.2 Parks District History and Facilities

In 1988, voters approved creation of the Parks District, which includes most of Hood River County except Cascade Locks. During its brief seventeen-year history, the Parks District’s role has expanded from operating the Hood River swimming pool to meeting a variety of community parks and recreational needs.

1.2.1 Aquatics

The City of Hood River built an outdoor swimming pool complex in 1948 in the northwest corner of Jackson Park. Between 1948 and 1994, the pool served as a popular summer sports and recreation location, and as a site for Hood River County School District physical education classes during the school year. In 1993, the Parks District reengineered and upgraded the original pool facility to make three, more versatile pools. In 1995, the bathhouse was also updated and the facility was enclosed to provide year-round aquatics for area residents and visitors. In 2002, the landscaping was updated to provide a safe and aesthetic front entrance.

1.2.2 Sports Facilities

In 1991, a citizen advisory group for the Parks District identified new sports facilities (i.e., ball / soccer fields) as a high priority need for the Hood River Valley. The Parks District worked in cooperation with the Hood River County School District, Hood River County, the City of Hood River, and a variety of community organizations to develop a plan to expand sports facilities. In November 1997, voters approved funding that upgraded ball and soccer fields at seven school facilities, and added new fields for youth and adult soccer, baseball, and softball. Because of the vast amount of volunteer efforts, the Parks District was also able to use remaining bond funds to upgrade additional recreational facilities including school tennis courts and the Parks District’s skate park.

1.2.3 Recreation Facilities

In addition to providing aquatics and sports facilities, the Parks District has also become involved in the development and operation of several other recreational facilities. In 1996, through a collaborative effort with the City of Hood River, the Hood River Rotary, other civic organizations as well as individuals, the Parks District opened the first phase of a “skate park” in the City’s Jaymar Park. The community truly supports this project with most of the initial equipment being built and installed by local volunteers; no tax dollars were used for any of the park’s construction elements. Further, since 1996, local supporters and the Parks District have added several improvements including a 3,000 square-foot ‘street course,’ and, a 1,700 square-foot concrete bowl completed in June 2003. In addition, the Skate Park has a new development plan which will be implemented in four phases.

Additionally, in the summer of 2003 the Parks District celebrated the grand opening of Culbertson Park, which is a Neighborhood Park located just south of Pacific Avenue between 5^th and 6^th Streets in the Heights. With open spaces, play structures, swing sets, a half-court basketball court, and a picnic area, the park meets the needs of a newly developed neighborhood in that area. The Parks District’s next neighborhood park will meet the needs of the Hazelview development which is located at 1711 Freedom Loop. The three-lot parcel designated for the park is 160 ft. by 110 ft. and will include a youth soccer field, open play areas and landscaping.

Another recreational area is the in-process Indian Creek Trail, which is 3.3 miles long, stretching from East 3^rd St to Hood River Valley High School. Two of three sections are already complete. The Parks District is still working on procuring permission from adjacent land owners in the last (middle) section of this trail.

The Parks District has continued to work cooperatively with the City of Hood River to improve and make more accessible park elements in Wilson and Jackson Parks in the City, and plans to continue working with other local government agencies to improve facilities at existing parks.

2 Community Profile

2.1 Location, Physical Setting, and History of Hood River

The Parks District includes most of Hood River County, which is located on the eastern slope of the Cascade Mountains, extending north from Mt. Hood to the Columbia River. This area of immense natural beauty lies in the heart of Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area, about 20 miles west of The Dalles, and 60 miles east of Portland. The Historic Columbia River Highway (U.S. 30) also extends through Hood River.

Hood River was founded in 1854 by Nathaniel and Mary Coe. In 1882, railroad service opened the local economy to new markets and prompted growth of timber and agricultural industries. Agriculture and timber are still important to Hood River, but the economy has diversified, and the area has become a tourism and retail trade center.

Tourism has become increasingly important for the Hood River economy, especially due to its world class outdoor sports venues for windsurfing, kite boarding, skiing and mountain-biking, among other sports. The increasing number of visitors to Hood River impacts parks and recreational facilities, which serve both tourists and residents.

2.2 Population and Demographics

The population of Hood River County in 2000 was 20,411, according to the 2000 Census and the Hood River County Transportation System Plan (June 16, 2003). The Parks District has 19,283 residents (Cascade Locks chose not to participate in this Parks District which removes 1,128 residents of Cascade Locks from the total residents served by the Parks District). Hood River County’s population grew by 20% between 1990 and 2000 with the population in Parkdale, Odell, and the remainder of unincorporated areas of the County growing by 17.6% during this period.

Based on currently planned building densities and zoning, the population within the Parks District will increase by an additional 25% between 2004 and 2014.

In the 2003-2004 school year, a total of 3,854 students were enrolled in the Hood River County public school system. 1,649 students were enrolled in grades K-5, 937 students were enrolled in grades 6-9, and 1,268 students were enrolled in grades 9-12.

A review of 2000 census data for the County revealed several notable population characteristics that are important for the Parks District:

● Households with individuals under 18 living at home constituted 38.3% of the City’s households. In general, children use parks and recreational facilities more frequently and have different recreational needs than adults.

● Latinos, the City’s largest ethnic minority group, totaled approximately 25% of all residents, a 15% increase from 1990. The interests of this group should be considered in the design of recreation facilities.

Due to the number of available recreational opportunities, and the draw that these opportunities have made during population growth, the population of the Parks District is more active than the average, and demands higher levels of recreational options and facilities.

3 Recreational Resources Inventory

The recreational resources within the Parks District can be organized into functional types that serve separate recreational needs. For the purposes of this inventory, the existing resources have been separated into the following types:

· Neighborhood Parks

· Community Parks

· Trails, Greenways, Linear Parks, Open Space, and Wilderness

· Special Use Parks and Facilities

· Public School-Based Facilities

· Non-Publicly Owned Facilities

The first four maps in Appendix D present the locations of facilities within the Parks District as follows:

Figure A: City of Hood River and Lower Valley

Figure B: Odell and Central Valley

Figure C: Parkdale and Upper Valley

Figure D: Entire Parks District – showing facilities outside the areas of the first three maps.

The following symbols are used on the facility maps (and follow on needs assessment maps):

Table 1 - Facility Type Map Symbols

Symbol	Facility Type:
G	Gymnasium
RT	Running Track
S	Soccer field(s)
FB	Football field(s)
BB	Baseball field(s)
T	Tennis Court(s)
SP	Special Use facility
SB	Softball field(s)
C	Community Park
N	Neighborhood Park
GC	Golf Course
tent	Camping
hike	Trail Access
SK	Skate Park

3.1 Neighborhood Parks

A Neighborhood park is the most basic unit of the park system and serves as the recreational and social focus of the neighborhood; its focus is on informal active and passive recreation (Mertes & Hall, 1996). It must be within safe and easy walking distance of area residents and does not require the crossing of major streets or other barriers. It usually does not include restrooms or off street parking.

The Neighborhood Parks in the Parks District are presented in Table 2. School based park space and community parks also serve the needs of Neighborhood parks and are listed in the sections that follow.

Table 2 - Neighborhood Parks

*Park*	*Location*	*Ownership / Maintenance*	*Size/Length*	*Amenities*
Wilson Park	May St. and 2^nd St. HR	City of HR	1.05 acres	Play structures
Ruthton Park	I-84, West of HR	HR County	1.5 acres	Picnic tables, river view
Hazelview Park	1711 Heritage Loop	HRVPRD	.35 acres	Picnic tables, grassy area
Bowe Addition	Belmont Rd., HR	Residents	.40 acres	Play structure, grassy area
Adams View	Montello HR	Residents	.25 acres	Swings, ½ court basketball area and picnic area.
Waucoma Park	State and 12^th	City of HR	0.87 acres	Swings, picnic tables, small creek.
Mann Park	Eugene and 22^nd	City of HR	0.48 acres	Playground equipment (old)
Culbertson Park	S. Pacific and 5^th	HRVPRD	.6 acres	Play structure, one half BB court, picnic tables and benches, 2 sets of swings.
Memorial Overlook and Memorial Rose Garden	2^nd and Sherman HR	City of HR	.40 acres	Fountain, benches, gardens, view, access to downtown and 2^nd St steps.
Georgiana Smith Park	Oak and 5^th HR	HR County	.50 acres	Benches, view, access to downtown.
Jaymar Park (adjacent to Rotary Park (Skate Park))	Wasco and 20^th HR	City owns, HRVPRD maintains	9.7 acres (includes Morrison park)	Picnic tables, grassy area, trees, adjacent to Skate Park

3.2 Community Parks

Community parks serve a broader purpose than a smaller neighborhood park; their focus is primarily to meet community-based recreational needs, as well as preserving unique landscapes and open spaces (Mertes & Hall, 1996).

All community parks also act as neighborhood parks – providing facilities that meet those smaller group needs as well.

In some cases, other facilities act as community parks and are listed in the sections below. As an example, Parkdale Elementary and Westside Elementary School grounds, with multiple playing fields, playgrounds, picnic tables etc. provide the level of service of a community park.

In the Parks District, Community Parks are presented in Table 3.

Table 3 - Community Parks

*Park*	*Location*	*Ownership / Maintenance*	*Size*	*Amenities*
Jackson Park	13^th & May St. Hood River	City of HR	6.77 acres	Centrally located, heavily used community facility. nice vegetation, trees. Stage and large grass area hosts summertime music in the park programs. Playground equipment (structure, three swings), picnic tables (8), and concrete pads for community BBQ, etc. Restroom (M/F). Lighted baseball field w/bleachers, scoreboard, concessions. Four lighted tennis courts. Parking. Disability access to stage and BBQ area.
Children’s Park	9^th & Eugene St. HR	City of HR	1.24 acres	Large wooden Robert Leathers play structure with slides, and swings for children/toddlers (children's park). Benches, picnic tables, covered/lit basketball court and grass play area. ADA restroom (m/f) and parking.
Marina Park and Marina Green	Hood River Marina	Port of HR

Release / Description of Change	Release Date	Approved
Complete update of 1998 Master Plan. Extension of scope to include entire Parks District. All pages Changed.	April 8, 2005