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Option #2 satisfied calls for a reservable sports field and the obligatory parking facilities required for such, as well as an off-leash area for dogs, which led to questions about fencing and sequestering the larger dogs from the smaller ones. The additions of more teenage attractions, such as a basketball court, BMX “pump” track and particularly the skate spot also raised concerns. Residents feared the skate spot would jeopardize surrounding structures, attract vandalism and invite other illegal activities; park officials sought to calm nerves by delineating the difference between a skate spot and a skate park. They explained that the skate spot would occupy significantly less space and have simpler features designed for a lower skill level. Though still in the conceptual stage, it could involve something as minimal as a skate rail for youngsters to practice their skills. Kip Wadden, of Portland Parks and Recreation, pointed out that the provision of skate structures discourages skaters from damaging other park equipment.
Option #3, designed with the highest human-use priority, featured an extension of all aforementioned amenities, including two reservable sports fields and the requisite parking provided, which through negotiations with Shaver Elementary may include an additional parking facility on school grounds. While organized sports advocates enthused over the idea, the debate over the added parking lot led Gray to reveal the existence of otherwise unannounced preliminary conversations the school district has conducted with PP&R and city councilmen. These conversations regard establishing a regional soccer center on the east side of Parkrose High School, which already exhibits the facilities and parking to accommodate the crowds. Gray announced plans to reveal a formal proposal for the site in November, which would eradicate the call for two such fields on the park site that has fewer infrastructures to support it.
Parking aside, the high-use park, Option #3, also warranted the only permanent restroom facility of all three designs. Park officials explained that the maintenance expense of a built restroom structure is often prohibitive in less than high-use parks. The other plans employed seasonal portable restrooms, typically only present spring through fall, which park officials could extend for longer durations as needed.
After discussing the pros and cons of the designed options and the nature of the amenities themselves, the committee turned to placement and proximity questions, swapping the best features of each (though MIG warned to take topography into account). This pertained specifically to the sports fields as well as to the gathering/performance space. Only Option #3 situated the performance space on the southern parcel of the site to take advantage of the natural amphitheater-creating topography.
Logistical concerns, like the proximity of the large group picnic area to parking, also came into question. Parents seeking to please all age groups in one space preferred the placement of the children’s play area near the picnic tables and reservable sports field (as in Option #2), though some also preferred the spray ground area nearby. The placement of the spray ground in Option #2, between the parking lot and the off-leash area, also sparked fears of water-loving dogs in a space frequented by small children splashing in fountains and wading pools. Other issues raised, such as lighting, will be answered at a future date.
In the coming weeks, MIG and park officials will employ the comment cards completed by attendees, available on the Web and distributed to the public at the Parkrose Farmers Market on July 26, to rework all three designs. Plans will also be on display at Neighbors Night Out at Argay Park on Tuesday, Aug. 5. Further revision will ensue before the PAC reconvenes to streamline a preferred design on Sept. 24.
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