Project Updates
March 2022
We are pleased to share an update about our progress on the development of Parklane Park. There has been a lot of behind-the-scenes work and some changes to the overall design, but the project continues to move forward.
Project Challenges
Several costly and unforeseen site issues materialized during design development as more became known about the site. One major issue is the former rock quarry on the undeveloped 20-acres that was filled in with a variety of materials, which impacts stability of the site’s soils.
However, the largest single impact on the project is construction cost inflation, which has skyrocketed due to the pandemic. This has led to significant worldwide supply chain issues, labor shortages, and increased costs of all construction materials.
Design Update
View a larger image of the updated design (March 2022)
Adjustments were made to the design to address construction issues and reduce project costs. This includes:
- Two grass soccer fields replaced the lit synthetic turf fields
- A second Portland Loo replaced the custom architectural restroom building
- Overall developed area was reduced by approximately 5 acres on north side, creating a larger buffer for park neighbors
- Traffic engineering study to identity on-street parking availability in consideration of PBOT’s current and upcoming projects compared to the new park’s forecasted parking needs; west parking lot was removed
- Local Improvement District (LID) as a funding mechanism for Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT) to perform the design and construction of the on-street parking and multi-use path improvements along park’s street frontages
- Features like sport courts and the skate park were moved out of the former quarry fill area to reduce construction costs and ensure structural stability of these hard surfaces
- Additional funding was added to the project to close the budget gap
We appreciate the community’s patience as we continue to work through these issues. While the design has changed, the overall program elements for the park has not changed, and we have kept the community’s vision of this park as the guiding direction for our work.
View a presentation of the updated park plan (March 2022).
Construction Update
Early construction work is underway in the northern 20-acre fenced site again this year. Work will include delivery of many loads of imported soil and gravel for the new park. At a few locations within the old quarry site, you may see large mounds of soil and gravel. This will help compact the soil over the next year to stabilize it in preparation for construction of structures like the covered gathering space. We are also providing access through the site for the adjacent school improvement project.
Park neighbors and visitors can expect to see heavy truck traffic entering and exiting Mill and Millmain Streets as large truckloads of soil are brought onto the site. Typical work hours will be 7am – 5pm, Monday – Friday.
No construction work will occur outside of the perimeter fences in 2022. The playground, Loo, sports field, and other park amenities in the existing southern 5-acre Parklane Park will remain open for public use until Spring 2023.
This summer’s soil work will wrap up in Fall 2022. There will be a pause on construction work over the winter, and full construction of the park, including the existing 5-acre park area, is anticipated to begin in Spring 2023 and be completed in Fall 2024.
The anticipated park opening date is Fall 2024, though all the landscape areas, including soccer fields and dog off-leash areas, will likely need to remain closed until the seed becomes fully established by Summer 2025.
Project Background
The site of Parklane Park was originally Native American land. More recently, it was used as an airfield, and then as a gravel quarry which was later filled with remnant debris in the 1990s. When the surrounding subdivisions were built in the 1970s, the triangular 5 acre parcel that is now Parklane Park became a Multnomah County park. Local residents planted many of the trees and installed red and white striped playground equipment, which gave the park its nickname “Candy Cane Park.”
In 1993, the park was transferred to Portland Parks & Recreation. In 2006, the City purchased an additional 20 acres to the north, the site of the former gravel quarry. The Parklane Park Master Plan was completed in 2009 and created a plan to guide the construction of the expansion. In 2017, a Loo was installed near the playground with Parks Replacement Bond funds.
There is a significant lack of parks and open spaces and a shortage of recreation facilities in the neighborhood. When fully developed, Parklane Park will serve 2,237 households, including 407 of which do not currently have ready access to any park or natural areas.
In May 2016, Commissioner Amanda Fritz announced $6M in System Development Charge (SDC) funds to start the development of Parklane Park. In the summer of 2018, she allocated an additional $10M, to bring the full project budget to $16M. The COVID-19 pandemic led to significant cost escalations due to labor and supply chain issues. Because of this, Commissioner Carmen Rubio approved an additional $8M in SDCs in December 2021, for a total of $24M funding. This will allow for the completion of nearly all elements identified in the 2009 Master Plan (except for the aquatic center).
Project Overview
The currently developed 5-acre portion of Parklane Park includes an accessible play area, a basketball court, a Portland Loo, and a softball field. The new funding will allow for ADA improvements to the entire park, plus park improvements for the site's undeveloped 20 acres on the northern side. Funding is sufficient for the completion of nearly all elements identified in the 2009 Master Plan (except for the aquatic center).
The 2009 Master Plan will be a guide for the design, and improvements may include:
- Playground improvements
- A skatepark
- A gathering area and picnic shelters
- A Portland Community Garden
- Tennis court
- Dog off-leash area
- An extensive recreational path system
- Large open meadow
- Landscaping and trees
- Sports fields (such as soccer and baseball)
Through a Project Advisory Committee and Community Gathering events, the community will help guide the development of the design for the expanded park. The first step of the community engagement process will be to check in with the Project Advisory Committee and the broader community about the Master Plan's features to see if any priorities have changed.
Project Advisory Committee Members
Asia Saechao, Benjamin Lostheart, Courteland Benson, Dasha Foerster, Jeb Hubbs, Jonathan Cruz, Kit Becker, Matt Wood, Mercedes Herrada, Riley Renner, Ron Clemenson, Roxie Sprick, Sabrina Wilson, Selenny Santiago, Sogene Mah, Terence Stilin-Rooney.
Project Timeline
Design Concept and Community Engagement
- October 14, 2019: PAC Meeting #1
- October 29, 2019: PAC Meeting #2
- November 5, 2019: Community Gathering #1
- Presentation Materials (pdf) | Comment Form Summary (pdf)
- January 21, 2020: PAC Meeting #3
- February 12, 2020: Community Gathering #2
- Presentation Materials (pdf) | Comment Form Summary (pdf)
- March 9, 2020: PAC Meeting #4
- Presentation Materials (pdf)
- May 28, 2020: PAC Meeting #5
- July 20 - August 2, 2020: Online Design Reveal and Self-Guided Tour (July 25, 2020)
- Presentation Materials (pdf) | Comment Form Summary (pdf)
- March 9, 2022: PAC Meeting #6 (final meeting)
- Presentation Materials (pdf) | Meeting Notes (pdf)
Construction Documents, Permitting, Construction, and Completion
- Design Development: Fall 2020 - Spring 2022
- Land Use Process: Winter 2021/22 - Spring 2022
- Permitting: Summer 2022 – Fall 2022
- Contracting: Winter 2022/23
- Construction:
- Summer 2021 - Fall 2021: Soil movement and tree removal work in 20-acre fenced area
- Spring 2022 – Fall 2022: Additional soil movement and site preparation work in 20-acre fenced area
- Spring 2023 – Fall 2024 – Construction of full 25-acre park, including closure of existing 5-acre park
- Tentative Opening Date: Fall 2024*
*Soccer fields and other landscaping areas will need additional time to establish grass and will open for full use in Summer 2025.
Receive Project Updates
To receive project updates, email maija.spencer@portlandoregon.gov.