Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Parks Budget topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Parks budget targets Riverside bathroom repairs, playground vote and a pump track at Riverside Legacy Park
Summary
Public Works and parks staff presented the 2026 parks budget: Riverside bathrooms need ADA and plumbing upgrades, the Riverside Legacy Park project has secured local and RCO funding, children will vote on a new playground design and the county plans a pump track and other amenities; Harry Gardner Park remains supported by a volunteer group.
Sean Roe of Public Works and parks staff presented the Cowlitz County parks and recreation budget for 2026 and described several capital and maintenance priorities, including repairs to Riverside Park restrooms, work at Harry Gardner Park and a proposed Riverside Legacy Park project that would include a new playground and a pump track.
Roe said the parks department maintains 11 county parks with two full‑time staff and seasonal help. Melissa and Alyssa described Riverside Park’s restroom buildings: two were remodeled in a prior RCO (Recreation and Conservation Office) grant project, but the remaining two date to the 1970s, require plumbing updates and are not fully ADA compliant. Staff said they attempted to secure grant funding for repairs but were not successful and expect the county to fund necessary plumbing and accessibility work.
Parks staff described the Riverside Legacy Park concept as a two-phase project. The playground phase will present two conceptual designs to local elementary schools and allow students to vote; the winning design will be installed. Staff said rural development funds and a Cook Ferry dredge-spoils account, together with RCO support, have put the project close to full funding.
The scope also includes a pump track — a compact, wheeled‑recreation track for bicycles, scooters and similar uses — to fill a local recreation gap for teenagers and all‑ages riders. Staff said pump tracks are frequently heavily used in the Portland area and that nearby municipalities’ plans (Longview’s funding fell through; Ridgefield has posted plans) affect regional supply.
Harry Gardner Park was highlighted as an example of volunteer stewardship: “Friends of Harry Gardner Park” perform substantial maintenance and helped restore the site; the county budgets for the park are tracked separately to reflect that volunteer support. Staff noted the parks department is considering a fee-schedule change for longer-term campsite and RV stays at Harry Gardner but said no decision has been made and the board has not approved any changes.
Staff also confirmed pickleball lines were painted recently at Riverside: four courts exist (two with nets, two without) and two nets are installed.
Why it matters: the projects affect community access to recreation, capital maintenance for older facilities and local grant-funded improvements that require county matching or local funding.
Ending: Parks staff invited questions; commissioners asked about campsite length-of-stay limits and confirmed staff will return with fee-change proposals if the parks board proceeds.
