Last Thursday, Tigard community members, elected officials and neighbors had reason to celebrate. Metro and the City of Tigard finalized the purchase of the Fields property – a major milestone that will help to close a key gap in the Fanno Creek Greenway, expanding opportunities for pedestrians and cyclists to connect with nature in the city.
The joint effort was funded by Metro and the City of Tigard, and the two entities will share ownership. The purchase of the 25-acre site near the Tigard Public Library was made possible with support from two voter-approved bond measures.
In 2006, voters approved a regional bond measure to protect water quality and wildlife habitat across the Portland metropolitan area. In passing the measure, voters asked Metro to secure the region's most sensitive natural habitat to ensure its protection, and Metro’s Natural Areas Program was established. Metro partners with municipalities and organizations to protect natural areas, restore sensitive habitat for fish and wildlife, and plan the region’s parks and trails.
Similarly, in November 2010, Tigard voters passed a $17 million park and open space bond measure, with 80 percent of bond revenues allocated to parkland acquisition. In late 2010, Tigard's citizen-led Park and Recreation Advisory Board was tasked with identifying and evaluating more than 60 potential park properties. The Fields property ranked high on the list.
With the natural area and future park in the background, Metro Councilor Carl Hosticka, who represents this part of the region addressed an enthusiastic crowd.
"These dreams don’t come true unless the people work very hard," he said. "The people that really made this happen are the voters. People might say that Metro and Tigard own this land, but that’s not true. We all own it."
The City of Tigard invested $2 million in the purchase – $1 million from the 2010 voter-approved park and open space bond measure and $1 million from park system development charge funds. Metro's voter-approved Natural Areas Program provided the remaining $3.15 million from the 2006 regional bond measure.
Tigard Mayor Craig Dirksen, a frequent trail user and Metro councilor-elect, described the purchase as a major milestone.
"This is a legacy to the city that will last forever, for as long as the city exists. It is impossible to express the excitement I feel in bringing this piece of property in and making it a part of Fanno Creek Park."
Dirksen honored Tigard land owner Fred Fields and concluded the speaking portion of the evening with a celebratory toast.
Mr. Fields had submitted several land use applications to prepare the site for development – requiring an extension of southwest Wall Street via a bridge over Fanno Creek. After his death in December 2011, Metro entered into negotiations with the estate's representative. An appraiser valued the property at $5.15 million. Metro agreed to purchase the property for the appraised value, contingent upon Tigard’s $2 million contribution.
"The completion of the Fields acquisition is a good example of a voter-supported bond measure working to protect land for future generations to enjoy," said J. Clayton Hering, chairman of the Portland commercial real estate brokerage Norris, Beggs & Simpson. The firm marketed the property for the estate of Fields.
"I am pleased that Mr. Fields’ legacy and the preservation of the property will benefit the public good," Hering said.
Guests were invited to participate in a guided tour of the Fields property – which borders the Tigard Public Library to the west, railroad tracks to the northeast and an undeveloped, 12-acre Metro natural area to the south. About 10 acres of the Fields property consists of open field areas; the remainder of the site is wooded. The Fanno Creek floodplain and riparian area overlaps the western and southern boundaries of the property.
Over the course of 17 years and two bond measures, Metro has preserved 12,000 acres of natural areas, protected more than 100 miles of river and stream banks, planted nearly 2 million trees and shrubs, and supported hundreds of community projects. During the past two years, Metro has helped Tigard purchase the Summer Creek and Sunrise natural areas.