Today Metro Parks and Nature announced the purchase of 553 acres adjacent to the Clackamas River to restore into a natural area that will support fish and wildlife, protect water quality and preserve the area’s natural beauty.
“This is truly a historic moment, both for Metro and for the region as a whole,” said Metro Council President Lynn Peterson. “The chance to purchase and restore this much land at one time is rare, especially in a location with such potential to improve the surrounding area’s ecology. We are doing what voters entrusted us to do when they passed the 2019 parks and nature bond: Protecting and restoring the green spaces that make our region so special.”
The $6.4 million sale was made possible by funding from the Protect and Restore Land program of the 2019 voter-approved parks and nature bond. It is the second-largest acquisition to be made with parks and nature bond funding in the agency’s history.
The property, half of which has operated as the Eagle Creek Golf Course, has been for sale since 2021. While the sale closed on Feb. 24, Metro will not take full management of the site until late March to allow the seller time to wind down operations and sell equipment, golf greens and other assets kept at the property.
James Bastasch, representative of the family-run partnership that owns the property, announced earlier this year that the course would close on March 1.
“My family has proudly managed this golf course for over 20 years, providing enjoyment to our community,” said Bastasch. “However, after careful consideration of various economic challenges, particularly the acute shortage of water resources, we have come to the tough conclusion that it is no longer viable to continue operations. We have long discussed the possibility of finding a nonprofit organization to acquire this land and maintain its integrity. My parents shared this vision before they passed, and I am pleased to see it come to fruition with an agency like Metro committed to preserving its natural beauty.”
“Metro Parks and Nature is excited about the potential this acquisition has to improve the health of people, plants, wildlife and fish,” said Dan Moeller, Metro Parks and Nature conservation program director. “Restoring developed land to wilderness is a big job, but we have a lot of experience with this work and are more than ready for the challenge.”
Metro Parks and Nature has not announced specific plans for the property. Whenever the agency acquires land, staff spend extensive time studying it and assessing how to best restore it. During this initial phase of work, which could last up to five years, Metro will secure the property to prevent injury to people or damage to new plantings.
While every property is different, some initial actions are likely: removing old structures on the property, replacing invasive plant species with native ones, and restoring the natural flow of water through the land. With restoration, part of the property should be able to support a sizable amount of Oregon white oak.
“Our work here will have profound benefits for this region for generations to come,” said Moeller. “Increasing the region’s tree canopy helps to lower ground temperatures and to clean air. Meanwhile, restoring floodplains helps to keep water cleaner and cooler for fish and amphibians. It also allows the land to hold onto water, which helps decrease the effects of both drought and flooding.”
Metro’s work will also improve the experience of visitors at Bonnie Lure State Recreation Area, located just downstream from the property. The restored area will improve water quality for visitors recreating in the Clackamas River. Also, because many plant and animal species thrive best in larger areas of habitat, it will provide a richer and more varied experience of nature for park visitors.
This is the 34th land acquisition purchased with funding from the 2019 parks and nature bond, which has protected more than 1,500 acres and almost 1.4 miles of trail right-of-way in greater Portland so far.