Errol Heights Park Project

Parks

Completed

The reimagined 16-acre park includes restored natural areas, wildlife viewing spots, better ADA access on trails, an elevated walkway, splash pad, skate spot, Portland Loo, art installation, and new play and picnic areas.

May 10, 2018–December 23, 2023

On this Page

This project is now complete, please visit the Errol Heights Park Page for more information, updates, and closures.

Project Overview

In 2018, retired former Parks Commissioner Amanda Fritz appointed a Community Advisory Committee to update the 2005 Master Plan and set community-supported priorities for the construction of park improvements and public engagement. Portland Parks & Recreation (PP&R) contracted with Mayer|Reed to develop the new park design and a proposal for park programming.

During the bidding process, the Wenaha Group joined as the Construction Management/Owner's Representative for construction. Through a low bidding process, Paul Brothers Inc., was awarded the construction contract for this project.

Crews began work on the park in April 2022 and substantially completed the park in December 2023 with minor construction through Winter 2023-24

PP&R is coordinating with neighborhood street and storm water improvement projects led by the Portland Bureau of Transportation and the Bureau of Environmental Services to reduce impacts to the neighborhood.

Art Installation

Artist team, Terresa White and Mike Suri, were selected in 2021 to create a sculptural artwork that celebrates the unique landscape and ecology of Errol Heights Park. Located in the upper plateau of the park, the artists have created a 15-foot sculpture that will invite neighbors, gardeners, walkers, birders, skateboarders, and visitors to experience its natural and recreational areas. This collaborative artwork includes three tall, slender steel forms with cup-like organic shapes and contours that echo the park's trees and flora, collecting and draining rainwater. A bronze mask is attached to each of the three steel forms, combining human faces with various flora and fauna of the park that includes a blue heron, an owl, a peacock as well as maple, white oak, and red alder leaves.

Park Location

Errol Heights Park is located at SE 52^nd Avenue and Tenino Street in the Brentwood-Darlington neighborhood. The park borders the Woodstock neighborhood along its SE 45^th Avenue edge, and Ardenwald Johnson Creek neighborhood to the south. There are 1,477 households within a half-mile walking distance of the park.

Funding Sources

The $12 million for the new park come from System Development Charges (SDCs) for Parks, Trails, and Natural Areas. In early August 2018, Commissioner Fritz announced additional funding for Errol Heights Park, from $5.3 million to $12 million, to allow a full build out for the updated Master Plan for the natural and developed areas of the park rather than a phased-approach. The additional funding has also allowed Portland Parks & Recreation to design a more inclusive play area.

Community Engagement Summary

In spring 2018, retired former Parks Commissioner Amanda Fritz appointed 13 neighborhood advisors to help shape the future of this community park and to ensure that it serves people of all ages, abilities and backgrounds. Committee members included park neighbors, parents, gardeners, teachers, natural area explorers and representatives from the Brentwood Darlington Neighborhood Association, Woodstock neighborhood, Johnson Creek Watershed Council, Friends of Errol Heights, and the Errol Heights Community Garden.

The Community Advisory Committee (CAC) reviewed and incorporated community input from two open houses and finalized the committee’s recommended design concept for Errol Heights Park. Once the CAC refined the design concept and park programming, the CAC recommended proposal was given to the director of Portland Parks & Recreation for consideration.

Meeting Summaries and Supporting Documents

Errol Heights Park Community Advisory Committee (May 2018)

Brett Bolstad
Paul Ciri
Caryn Corwin
Joshua Freeman
Anne Hett
Pamela Hodge
Karl Lee
Adrienne Moat
Gillian Murr
Erich J Pacheco
Michael Riley
Jennon Rugg
Fon Zhan

Map

Location