PLAY AREA NOW OPEN!

The Nature Based Play Area is now open at Westmoreland Park.

PROJECT OVERVIEW

The play area renovation is a pilot project for PP&R's Nature-Based Play Initiative. The goal of this initiative is to create settings in developed parks that encourage creative play and interaction with natural features.

Project Advisory Committee (PAC)

Marc Boucher-Colbert, James Bowles, Kathleen Brennan-Hunter, Jenny Dempsey Stein, Chloe Derderian-Gilbert, Art Graves, Brianna Hallquist, Sydney Hallquist-Paisant, Bradley Heintz, Karen McClish, Elisabeth Neely, Mauricio Villarreal, Rod Wojtanik

PROJECT SCHEDULE

Winter-Spring 2013

Permitting and bidding

Spring-Summer 2014

Construction

PROJECT UPDATE

Construction on the Nature Based Play area is complete. Three separate contractors worked together to build this pilot project. The play area opened Monday, September 22, 2014.

PROJECT BACKGROUND

Westmoreland Park is a 43-acre park located in the Sellwood-Moreland neighborhood: south of SE Bybee Blvd, north of SE Nehalem, west of SE McLoughlin Blvd, and east of SE 22 Ave. A master plan was prepared for Westmoreland Park in 2004, following years of flooding, creek degradation, and user groups competing for park space. The recommendations include relocation of various facilities, restoration of Crystal Springs Creek - including elimination of the duck pond, consolidation of the play area and expansion of the age groups served, modifications to the casting pond, interpretive improvements near the restroom building, parking modifications, and the addition of a skate park.

As the pilot for the Nature-Based Play Initiative, this project provides an opportunity to build relationships with local education and child development programs. The Project Advisory Committee will serve as advisors to achieving the goals of natural and creative play and interaction with nature.

This project is supported with funding from Metro's voter-approved 2006 natural areas bond measure.