From apartments to parks and houses to habitats, Metro's Natural Areas Program continues helping communities keep nature close to home
Tigard celebrates one of its newest acquisitions Wednesday, May 18, at 5:30 p.m. at 150th Avenue and Sunrise Lane in Tigard. The city recently acquired the 20-acre Sunrise natural area on the north side of Bull Mountain as part of its $17 million park bond measure. The Sunrise purchase links Cach Park Natural Area and the Westside Powerline Trail corridor.
Although the city does not have a formal plan for the property yet, Sunrise's open spaces and wooded slopes will eventually be transformed into a community park which could include amenities like trails, natural areas, picnic areas, playground equipment, parking and restrooms.
The Trust for Public Land, a land conservation group, worked to acquire an option for the city to buy the property and the Tigard City Council approved the $5 million purchase after the city's bond measure passed. The transaction was completed May 13.
Washington County plans to contribute a portion of its local share of Metro's voter-approved 2006 natural areas bond measure towards the purchase. Nearly 20 percent of that bond measure goes to cities, counties and local park providers to invest in nature close to home.
"This beautiful addition to Tigard's outdoor recreation opportunities is a special place that helps fit voters vision for the region – a vision of parks, trails and natural areas that connect our communities and give us places to connect with nature," Metro Councilor Carl Hosticka said.
Speakers at the event include Councilor Hosticka, Tigard Mayor Craig Dirksen, Bob Betcone of The Trust for Public Land, Washington County Commissioner Dick Schouten and Tigard Parks and Recreation Advisory Board Chair Troy Mears.
An elected regional government, Metro helps you make the region an extraordinary place to live, work and play. Two voter-approved bond measures have allowed Metro to acquire 11,000 acres across the region. Metro has also opened three major nature parks, planted 1.7 million trees and shrubs and supported hundreds of community projects.