Scrutinize an aerial photo of Portland's outer east side, and you'll notice splotches of green tucked among urban neighborhoods and streets.
One of the largest undeveloped spaces is now a protected natural area and future park, purchased this week by the City of Portland and Metro. The 20-acre Wilkes Headwaters Property safeguards valuable habitat along Wilkes Creek and provides an important connection to nature for the Wilkes and Argay neighborhoods.
"We know that east Portland has long been underserved in terms of park facilities and amenities," said Portland Parks Commissioner Nick Fish.
The $1.96 million purchase was split three ways among Metro's 2006 natural areas bond measure, Portland's local share of the Metro bond and the city's Grey to Green initiative. City plans call for developing a 4-acre neighborhood park and protecting the rest of the land as a natural area. The city will host a summer celebration at the site, which is north of Interstate 84 between Northeast 151st and 155th avenues.
Wilkes Headwaters is the latest milestone for Metro's voter-approved Natural Areas Program, which protects water quality, wildlife habitat and outdoor recreation opportunities for future generations.
Two bond measures have allowed Metro to acquire 11,000 acres across the Portland metropolitan area, including nearly 90 miles of river and stream banks. Metro also has opened three major nature parks and supported hundreds of community projects, including Portland's newest acquisition.
"People want to connect with nature in their own neighborhoods," said Metro Council President Tom Hughes. "That's why Metro distributes nearly one-fifth of the region's natural areas bond measure to cities, counties and park providers to invest in local projects."
The collaboration with Portland complements Metro's work to expand the Columbia Slough trail system. In the past year, Metro has negotiated agreements to close 1.4 miles' worth of gaps in pathways tracing this network of lakes, wetlands and slow-moving channels in the Columbia River's southern floodplain.
"We're not only giving people a way to explore the slough on foot and bike, but also giving them a reason to hop off the trail and enjoy a stroll or a picnic," said Metro Councilor Shirley Craddick, who represents the eastern part of the region beyond Portland International Airport.