Park News October 2023

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THPRD Park Maintenance Update

Park Maintenance North staff will be removing and replacing three damaged concrete walkway panels at John Marty Park. Park Maintenance North staff will be replacing a sign at Cedar Mill Park. The previous sign was removed due to the Cornell Road widening project. Park Maintenance staff will build an elevated boulder platform for the sign, which will be surrounded by daylilies. The new sign will be more visible for patrons than the previous sign location.

Commonwealth Lake Park

October Events near Cedar Mill from THPRD

Take a stroll at the Twilight Walk with Me

Thursday, October 12, 6-7:30 pm, Commonwealth Lake Park, SW Foothills Dr. & SW Dellwood Ave, Portland, free

As the sun sets and the tranquil twilight blankets the park, we invite you to join this staff-led walk and embrace the magic of the season. Gather your friends and family for an evening filled with wonder. Please bring reflective gear to wear.

Volunteer for Ridgewood Park Community Garden

Saturday, October 21, 9-11:30 am, Ridgewood Park, Western end of SW Park Way, at 96th Ave.

Help us spruce up the Community Garden at Ridgewood Park! Volunteers will help weed and mulch, as needed. Please bring a reusable water bottle to drink from throughout the day. Tools and gloves will be provided. No gardening experience necessary. To register, please visit the event page on the THPRD website.

Volunteer for garden help at Nature Center

Saturday, October 21, 10-12 pm, Tualatin Hills Nature Center, 15655 SW Walker Rd.

Help us spruce up the Native Plant Garden at Tualatin Hills Nature Park! Volunteers will help weed and mulch, as needed. Please bring a reusable water bottle to drink from throughout the day. Tools and gloves will be provided. No gardening experience necessary. For more information or to sign up, visit the THPRD website.

Join us for the Fall festival!

Saturday, October 28, 11-3, Cedar Hills Recreation Center, 11640 SW Park Way

THPRD’s annual Fall Festival is a family-friendly event with seasonal activities for all ages. For more information about the Fall Festival, including volunteer opportunities, call the Cedar Hills Recreation Center at 503-619-3941.

October Events near Cedar Mill from Hillsboro Parks & Recreation

Hillsboro Art Walk

Tuesday, October 3, 5-8 pm, Walters Cultural Arts Center, 527 E. Main St., free

Join us every first Tuesday of the month to explore Hillsboro’s Cultural Arts District and enjoy local galleries and art spaces, live music, food, engaging activities, and shopping. Visit the Art Walk page for more information and to plan your visit.

Hidden Worlds Exhibit is now open

Tuesday, October 3 to Saturday, November 4, 9-9 (Monday to Thursday) and 9-5 (Friday), Walters Cultural Arts Center, 527 E. Main St., free

A balancing act of colorful fantasies and natural subjects, Hidden Worlds emerge from artists Ed Labadie, Michael Loen, Rich Bergeman, and Tyler Geel. Through additive methods, creations from chaos, moody drips, and highly charged infrared photography, we can find underlying imagery and narratives within the abstract. Please visit the Event Calendar for more information.

Mental Health Fair invites the community to access resources

Saturday, October 14, 10-1, 5100 NE Hidden Creek Dr., Hillsboro, free

Learn more about opportunities for mental health and self-care in our community.

Halloween in Downtown Hillsboro

Saturday, October 28, 3-10 pm, Main St at SE 3rd Ave., Hillsboro, free

Halloween in Downtown Hillsboro is an annual trick-or-treating event happening in the downtown district of Hillsboro. This year there will be two parts to this event. Trick or Treat on Main St. until 6 pm and Halloween in Downtown Hillsboro Block Party after 7 pm. Hillsboro Downtown Partnership has partnered with Downtown businesses, local schools, and more to provide spooky music, performances, special appearances, and a haunted house or two along a very festive route. Parking is available and some streets will be closed for pedestrians. Please visit the event website for more information and to plan your visit.

THPRD budget update

Tualatin Hills Park & Recreation District (THPRD) is looking at options to stabilize funding for park and recreation services to maintain current service levels and to prepare for future needs and we need the public’s help. An upcoming $16 million gap in the operating budget represents about 21% of the district’s annual budget. Without additional revenue sources, the district would be looking at closing facilities, reducing park and recreation services such as childcare programs, and having to reduce staffing by up to approximately 50 full-time employees and 250 part-time employees.

The THPRD Board of Directors has been reviewing stable funding options for months, including the possibility of asking voters to consider a local option levy, similar to many other local government agencies, for district operations as early as 2024. Volunteers serving on a Levy Task Force will advise the THPRD Board of Directors on whether the district should pursue an operating levy and what services the levy should fund. To learn more about the THPRD budget, visit the district’s website.

Apply for Advisory Committees or the Budget Committee

THPRD is encouraging community members to apply for openings on the district’s three Advisory Committees (Nature & Trails, Parks & Facilities, and Programs & Events), and the Budget Committee. Submit your application via the application form. The deadline to submit applications is Monday, October 23.

Advisory Committee volunteers review plans, provide feedback, and take part in lively discussions about district programs, facilities, and parks.

Nature & Trails Advisory Committee: Share your enthusiasm and expertise for natural resource management, environmental education, wildlife, and trail development and use. This committee meets once a month, typically the third Wednesday of the month at 6:30 pm.

Parks & Facilities Advisory Committee: Focus on park design, helping making spaces accessible to everyone, community gardens, dog parks, athletic facilities, and historic properties. This committee meets once a month, typically the third Wednesday of the month at 6 pm.

Programs & Events: Advise the district on what programs should be offered and expanded, provide input on district-wide community events, and review programming content in recreation, sports, aquatics, environmental education, and more. This committee meets once a month, typically the third Tuesday of the month at 6:30 pm.

Budget Committee: The Budget Committee is responsible for providing public oversight of budget preparations, recommending changes to the proposed budget, and supplying information to the public about district business and operations. The Budget Committee meets at least three times per year to 1) review the current year budget and operating results; 2) discuss the proposed budget for the upcoming year; and 3) approve the budget to be considered for adoption by the Board of Directors. Other meetings may be scheduled as the committee deems necessary.

People of all backgrounds and experience levels are encouraged to apply. These positions are critical to represent the broad perspectives of district patrons.