NEWS HOME

Far left is Bill Pond, the district's first superintendent. (It was before the general manager position was established in 1959 with Howard Terpenning.) Third from left is Elsie Stuhr. On the far right is Joe Pearson. Third from right is Leonard Uppinghouse. Those two along with Elsie formed the original three-member board. Unfortunately, THPRD has not been able to ID others in the photo. They would love it if a reader can identify any of the remaining four people in the photo.

THPRD celebrates 60 years of service to community in 2015

Sixty years ago on March 4, voters in the Beaverton area approved a taxing structure for the district, and THPRD was officially born. The vote capped a two-year-long campaign led by local physical education instructor Elsie Stuhr (pictured third from left) and other citizens who foresaw growth in the area and the need for park and recreation services.

Two years later, in 1957, the district opened its first facility, the Beaverton Swim Center, which is still in use today next to Beaverton High School. The first park in the district was Cedar Hills Park in 1959, complete with tennis courts, baseball diamond, soccer field, barbecue pit, restrooms and a shelter.

From those humble beginnings, THPRD has grown to encompass 50 square miles of eastern Washington County. The population within those boundaries is 230,000.

“Our success has been built on a supportive community and a commitment to provide a wide variety of high-quality park and recreational services that meet the needs of our residents,” said Doug Menke, THPRD general manager. “By design, the district started very small, proved itself to voters, and grew gradually into what it is today: the envy of many communities.”

Throughout the remainder of 2015, the 60th anniversary celebration will be woven into an assortment of district communications, activities and events. For example, when registration for spring classes begins on March 7, registrants will be invited to enter a drawing. The winner will get a $60 THPRD gift card.

“It’s going to be a fun year,” Menke said. “We invite our patrons to join us in the celebration.” For more information about the park district, visit www.thprd.org or call 503-645-6433.

Previous article

NEWS HOME