West Linn council declines May bond to buy Oppenlander; directs staff to pursue public‑private purchase

WEST LINN, Ore. — The West Linn City Council voted Feb. 25 not to place a new bond measure on the May ballot to purchase Oppenlander Park and instead directed city staff to evaluate and pursue a public‑private partnership to acquire some of the field for use as a city park.

The motion, moved by Council President Baumgardner and carried by unanimous vote of those present, directs staff to seek a deal that would use existing voter‑approved resources or other funding sources to secure parkland while avoiding a full $10 million bond this spring.

Supporters of preserving the site urged the council to place a bond on the ballot. Linda Parker, a West Linn resident, told the council Friends of Oppenlander had canvassed the neighborhood and believed voters would back a new measure: “I feel very confident that we could carry this measure again,” she said. Stephanie Kendall, who said she grew up using the field, told the…