A parks department staff member summarized results of a March 8 community meeting about the Westlake street-end project, saying about 40 to 45 people attended and provided detailed feedback on access, safety, ecological concerns and amenities.

The meeting, held at the Westlake Street Inn as a formal community forum, focused on three breakout topics: site challenges and concerns; hopes and ideas for waterfront access citywide; and specific improvements envisioned for the Westlake site. The staff member said attendees repeatedly described the Westlake street-end as a neighborhood hand‑launch site for non‑motorized boats rather than a motorized launch, and prioritized a direct path to the water for people carrying kayaks or canoes.

Why it matters: the Westlake street-end is a pilot project in a broader city effort to create and improve public street‑end access to the lake. The board heard detailed, sometimes conflicting neighborhood preferences that will shape the 30% design that staff expect from a hired consultant.

Attendees and feedback
Multiple small‑group stations collected comments. At the access and connectivity station, participants emphasized clear delineation between public right‑of‑way and private yards, driveway clearance, turnarounds for postal and service vehicles, and designated parking or curbside limits to reduce impacts on adjacent residents. ‘‘People really wanted straight direct access, especially for those heavier non‑motorized boats like canoes or heavier kayaks,’’ the staff member reported, noting some attendees understood design trade‑offs where ADA switchbacks were required.

On public/private boundaries and rules, neighbors suggested visible fences or natural barriers, gates indicating open hours, and signage that states park hours and expected behavior. Several residents expressed interest in volunteer stewardship and neighborhood association partnerships to support low‑cost maintenance after development.

Amenities and operations
Participants recommended more picnic tables, additional trash receptacles and wayfinding signage. Restrooms were raised repeatedly but were described at the meeting as contentious: some attendees said restrooms could reduce shore toileting, while others worried about maintenance burdens, vandalism, smells and long‑term operational costs. Staff noted the department is testing a low‑maintenance ‘‘Portland Loo’’ trial at another site but said permanent restrooms at a small neighborhood street end would be costly to operate and maintain.

Environmental, safety and design considerations
Attendees urged protecting existing healthy trees and improving bird and pollinator habitat with native plantings while removing invasives. Crime perceptions and limited police patrols were raised as safety concerns; participants recommended Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) elements, reduced mid‑range vegetation for sight lines, and clear maintenance plans. The group discussed beach materials (sand or gravel) to minimize hazards such as broken glass.

Tradeoffs, next steps and schedule
Staff said all community input will be provided to the consultant hired for design, permitting and construction documents. The stated goal in the meeting was to have a consultant onboard by May, reach 30% design and cost estimates by June, complete final design review by September and present the design at a council study session in October to allow bidding and construction next year. Staff also noted that in‑water work at the lake is constrained by the Department of Fish and Wildlife salmon‑bearing stream in‑water work window (July 16–Sept. 30), which designers and contractors will need to schedule around.

The project was described as a pilot intended to be low‑cost so staff can spread funds across additional street‑end projects if feasible. The staff member said the city’s initial funding is coming from parks general fund allocations for pilot projects but that grants and partnerships remain possible.

Ending
Staff invited continued neighborhood participation during the design phase, and said future public design review meetings will be announced on the city’s street‑ends webpage and presented at park board meetings. The community will have opportunities to review and comment before final designs are recommended to council.