Cedar Mill Park to be redeveloped

Cedar Mill Park is one of the older parks in our area. Adjacent to Cedar Mill School on Cornell, the park slopes down from the driveway leading off the school parking lot and currently includes some tennis courts, a picnic area with barbecue grills under some tall old trees, a “natural” area that was planted with natives in the ‘50s by the Cedar Mill Garden Club, and a large sloping open area that is the site of the annual Cedar Mill Park Concert sponsored by Tualatin Hills Park & Recreation District (THPRD).

In 2007, THPRD acquired property west of the park to provide a public trail from 107th and some additional natural area. The trail had been used for decades by students to get to and from school, and by the community to access the park with the permission of the former owners, the Brady family.

In 2008, voters passed a bond measure for THPRD that provided $100 million to upgrade and develop parks throughout the system. (See thprd.org/bondprojects for further information.) Cedar Mill Park was one of the targets of bond measure improvements and the project is now underway.

The hydrology map of the park shows a spring, a sink hole, and a large wetland area. Click to enlarge image.

THPRD uses an established process to determine how park redevelopment will proceed. In this case, it began with a 2006 District Wide Comprehensive Plan that indentified the future recreation needs of the District. Cedar Mill Park was designated as needing facilities for youth athletic fields.

In addition to the sports fields, THPRD’s requirements and assumptions included: the tennis court was to remain; the Park Concert was to be accommodated in the design; a paved path connecting 107th to Cedar Mill School was to be constructed; a play environment was to be constructed especially for preschool age children; and community gardens were to be shown in the design options.

Nevue Ngan Associates (nevuengan.com) was hired to be the lead designer for the project. They have been conducting studies of existing conditions, including terrain, hydrology, vegetation and natural resources, and documenting existing improvements in the park. The landscape architect reviewed the vicinity for connectivity, modes of transportation, adjacent uses, etc., and how different-size sports fields might fit on the site. They have presented some conceptual plans that incorporate the district’s requirements and assumptions. These are being reviewed by THPRD managers and by citizen advisory committees.

None of this will affect this summer’s Cedar Mill Park Concert, which is scheduled for Thursday, August 16, 6-8 pm, with 5 Guys Named Moe, a 12-piece horn-driven ensemble billed as the region's ultimate dance and show band.

The next step is to have a neighborhood meeting on June 21 to present the concept plans to the neighbors. Because of the park’s size, it is defined in the system as a neighborhood park, so only residents within 500 feet will receive mailed invitations, although the public is welcome to attend (see sidebar).

After receiving feedback, the design team will refine the concepts into one preferred alternate master plan for further review. The preferred alternative will be presented to the public after more iterations of refinement by staff and advisory groups, a proposed master plan will be prepared for review and approval by the elected Park District Board of Directors, the plans will be reviewed by Washington County for approval, final construction drawings will be completed and then the project will go to bid for construction. The THPRD Board will vote on the contract. The overall length of a project—from hiring a consultant to completion of the work and opening of the park to the public—can take from two to three years.

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