Provide for park and recreation needs at both the community-wide level and neighborhood level.

Policy 1.1.       Provide public spaces, facilities and programs that allow recreational opportunities for all citizens, including the youth, elderly, and physically disadvantaged in the community.

Policy 1.2.       Improve the health and fitness of citizens by providing a variety of recreational opportunities within the community.

Policy 1.3.       Work with the Oakridge School District to find opportunities to jointly use and develop school and city park sites.

Policy 1.4.       Maintain existing Circle Bar Golf Course.

Policy 1.5.       Maintain existing Forest Vale Memorial Cemetery.

Policy 1.6.       Support and maintain the Willamette Activity Center so that it can continue to offer a wide range of human services and recreation programs.

Policy 1.7.       Develop and maintain Osprey Park as an important link in the city’s future trail system along the riverfront and as a neighborhood park for the Willamette City area. 

Policy 1.8.       Enhance the connections between Salmon Creek Park and Salmon Creek, the Willamette River, and existing pedestrian and bicycle routes and evaluate the potential for providing additional community recreation facilities. 

Policy 1.9.       Maintain and enhance Greenwaters Park as the primary community gathering spot for large events and concerts. 

Policy 1.10.     Develop and maintain Diamond View Park as a community park with an emphasis on outdoor youth recreation.

Policy 1.11      Coordinate the development of a public park and open space for the former mill pond in the Oakridge Industrial Park.

Policy 1.12      Develop and maintain a skate park that offers a state-of-the-art experience.

Policy 1.13.     Partner with International Mountain Bicycling Association (IMBA) to develop, maintain, and promote a bike skills course in northeast Oakridge.

Policy 1.14.     Coordinate city park and recreation planning with the efforts of the Greater Oakridge Area Trail Stewards and the International Mountain Bicycling Association in promoting and developing the city as a “Ride Center” for off-road cyclists.

Increase and enhance the community’s access to natural areas in and around Oakridge, such as the Willamette National Forest and the Willamette River.

Policy 2.1.       Preserve and protect the riverfront open space along north bank of the Willamette River in order to preserve and maintain fish, game, and bird habitat, provide access to river, accommodate pedestrian and bicycle paths.

Policy 2.2.       Promote the riverfront open space as an important area linking the community and visitors to the Willamette River’s amenities and enhance connections to this area with public recreation and service facilities throughout the urban area.

Policy 2.3.       Continue to coordinate with the National Forest Service in planning for the Willamette National Forest and encourage the continuation of forest land preservation south of Willamette River.

Policy 2.4.       Coordinate with property owners of the gravel quarry to include the provision of public open space and wildlife habitat in restoration plans following closure of the quarry.

Develop and maintain a trail network that connects Oakridge to the Westfir community, regional parks and open space, and the trails and recreation opportunities in the Willamette National Forest.

Policy 3.1.       Work collaboratively with the Greater Oakridge Area Trail Stewards and the Parks, Trails & Tree Board to implement the Oakridge-Westfir Community Trails Plan.

Policy 3.2.       Improve connections within the community, such as between city parks, ball fields, schools, community centers, government buildings, etc.

Policy 3.3.       Increase recreational opportunities for families of all physical abilities through improved trails and pathways.

Policy 3.4.       Promote economic development opportunities, including tourism, by providing a connected system of parks and natural areas.

 

Design and manage all city park facilities in a manner that promotes user safety, health, enjoyment, and wellbeing.

Policy 4.1.       Engage stakeholders and community groups in park design and development.

Policy 4.2.       Develop new parks to be ADA accessible and, wherever appropriate and possible, upgrade existing park facilities to make them ADA compliant.

Policy 4.3.       Implement park design consistent with the vision and desired elements of each park, as determined by a community planning process.

Policy 4.4.       Design new parks to be attractive and environmentally sensitive; to the extent possible, design parks that are low maintenance, energy efficient, and cost-efficient.

Policy 4.5.       Promote the use of sustainable, locally available materials and native plant species in park layout and construction.

Maintain a safe and clean parks system.

Policy 5.1.       Periodically upgrade and/or replace facilities and equipment, such as restrooms, playground equipment, and picnic facilities, that are in poor condition or in need of repair.

Policy 5.2.       Promote special events, seasonal programs, and recreational facilities and amenities through a variety of methods, including through the city’s website and through partnerships with special interest groups such as the Greater Oakridge Area Trail Stewards, the International Mountain Bicycling Association (IMBA), and the Oakridge/Westfir Area Chamber of Commerce.

Pursue and use a variety of funding sources to expand and maintain new parks, open space, and recreational facilities.

Policy 6.1.       Use strategies related to development impact as sources of capital funding for expanding the city’s park system and for maintaining service levels.

Policy 6.2.       Seek public and private support through grants, endowments, and donations to develop and enhance city recreational services and park facilities.

Policy 6.3.       Encourage civic, neighborhood, and other groups to participate in the upkeep and development of public parks and open space through “Adopt-a-Park” and similar types of programs.