(Portland, OR) –
Vibrant Communities Commissioner Dan Ryan has allocated $700,000 in development fees to fund a new splash pad at Southeast Portland’s Kenilworth Park (at SE 34th Avenue and Holgate Blvd). Before Commissioner Ryan’s recent allocation, $1 million was set aside for this project, bringing the total cost of this project to $1.7 million.
Commissioner Ryan granted Portland Parks & Recreation’s (PP&R) request for the additional funding to complete the project using only development fees from construction, called system development charges (SDCs). Park SDCs are not General Fund tax dollars. They are one-time fees assessed on new development. SDCs help ensure that Portland’s quality of life keeps pace with its infrastructure needs as the city’s population grows. SDC funds may only be used to improve and expand park features and capacity, as directed by Oregon law.
“Splash pads in parks across Portland have proven to be popular cooling and water play spots for people of all ages and of various abilities,” says Commissioner Ryan. “You don’t need to be able to swim to enjoy them, and they are on from 10am to 8pm daily all the way through Labor Day!”
With this funding, the splash pad project will proceed with scoping, planning, and community engagement. Other park amenities may be possible, but the feasibility and cost of further features has not yet been evaluated.
This project is expected to start with community engagement and outreach in late 2025, and is expected to be completed in 2028 or 2029. These dates are subject to change and may be affected by the many variables involved in a project like this.
A Sustainable Future
PP&R is facing a major maintenance backlog of around $600 million. This amount has been identified but remains unfunded. In recent years, several assets have failed and had to be closed or removed to protect the public. Without new, stable funding, the bureau predicts that one in five PP&R assets will fail in the next 15 years. Parks system development charges (SDCs) are one way the City can enhance and expand the capacity of existing playgrounds with development fees; SDCs are NOT General Fund tax dollars and by State law have limited criteria for use.
PP&R continues to work with Commissioner Ryan, who is looking forward to more conversations about supporting maintenance at the levels needed to prevent future closures, and how we as a community can make that happen. PP&R and Commissioner Ryan’s office are exploring various ways to help close this funding gap, while still managing risk, through the Sustainable Future program.
Visit the PP&R website for more information about funding sources.