City Commission moves to adopt Parks Master Plan as part of comprehensive plan

The City Commission of Oregon City convened on June 4, 2025, to discuss the adoption of the Parks Master Plan as an ancillary document to the city's comprehensive plan. This meeting marked a significant step in the legislative process aimed at enhancing the city's parks and recreation framework.

The Parks Master Plan, initially adopted last summer, requires formal integration into the comprehensive plan to ensure that city assets, such as parks, transportation, and utilities, are legally recognized and aligned with community goals. The integration process involves a legislative approval that includes an evidentiary hearing, which was successfully conducted by the planning commission on May 12, resulting in a unanimous recommendation for approval.

City officials noted that public engagement was a crucial part of the plan's development, with extensive community input gathered prior to the legislative process. However, since the public notice for the current legislative phase, no additional public comments have been received.

The adoption of the Parks Master Plan is essential for the city to pursue future grants and develop system development fees related to parks and capital improvements. The plan outlines a long-term vision for parks and recreation, ensuring that development aligns with the broader community's growth patterns and land use strategies.

During the meeting, the commission was presented with options to either approve the first reading of the document as submitted, approve it with modifications, or request further revisions for future consideration. Parks and Recreation Director Scott Archer emphasized the importance of this plan, which has been in development since 2022, and highlighted the community's priorities for investment in parks.

The commission's decision on this matter will have lasting implications for the city's recreational infrastructure and its ability to secure funding for future projects.