Share your thoughts on Metro’s potential parks and nature bond measure for November ballot

photo of tour at Chehalem Ridge led by Centro Cultural

Centro Cultural de Washington County staff members lead a public tour at Chehalem Ridge, the site of a future nature park in western Washington County. Metro used money from the 2006 natural areas bond measure to acquire the main parcel of Chehalem Ridge.

A rendering shows a proposed viewpoint at the future Chehalem Ridge Nature Park.

Money from a potential third parks and nature bond measure could help build trails and other visitor amenities at the future Chehalem Ridge Nature Park.

rendering of Willamette Falls public yard and alcove

A rendering of the Willamette Falls public yard gathering space and restored alcove habitat.

A potential third parks and nature bond measure could provide money to pay for work on the planned Willamette Falls Riverwalk.

photo of restoration work at River Island

The logjams will increase the complexity and roughness of the floodplain, allowing it to slow floodwaters and capture nutrients and sediments.

Money from the 2006 bond measure helped restore River Island, a 240-acre former gravel mine on the Clackamas River destroyed by record floods in 1996. Metro's restoration work protected clean water and created habitat for endangered fish and wildlife while preserving access for anglers.

By Yuxing Zheng

April 15, 2019 10:50 a.m.

Bylined articles are written by Metro staff and do not necessarily represent the opinions of Metro or the Metro Council. Learn more

Community members are invited to help shape a potential parks and nature bond measure the Metro Council is considering placing on the November ballot.

An online survey available April 15 to 30 allows community members to weigh in on their top priorities for potential investment.

The bond measure under consideration would focus on racial equity and climate resiliency across six program areas: protecting and restoring land, taking care of Metro parks, awarding community grants, supporting local projects, creating trails for walking and biking and delivering on large-scale community visions. Councilors are considering a proposal that could raise $400 million to $450 million, which would not raise current tax rates.

“We want to make sure we give folks a chance to have their voices heard and that we’re putting together the best proposal possible for the region in terms of protecting clean water, restoring fish and wildlife habitat and connecting people with nature close to home,” said Jonathan Blasher, parks and nature director at Metro.

Voters approved Metro parks and natural areas bond measures in 1995 and 2006 as well as local-option levies in 2013 and 2016 to care for the land. The Metro Council is considering a potential third bond measure as spending from the 2006 bond measure winds down.

Metro councilors are expected to decide in late spring whether to refer a bond measure to voters.

The potential bond measure will also be shaped by input gathered from community members since last summer. A 30-member stakeholder table representing conservation, recreation, agricultural, nonprofit, business, local government, neighborhood association, Indigenous and culturally specific interests has met since last summer.

In March, focused engagement in partnership with community-based organizations gathered more in-depth input around three Metro destinations: the Glendoveer Nature Trail, Blue Lake Regional Park, and Oregon City, where Metro owns and operates Canemah Bluff Nature Park and is working on providing public access to Newell Creek Canyon and Willamette Falls.