Troutdale parks staff report tree planting success, pay‑to‑park rollout plan and upcoming wildfire fair; public raises signage and irrigation questions

City parks staff told the Parks Advisory Committee on March 19 that recent volunteer efforts and near‑term program changes are underway: a Friends of Trees planting event added 40 trees in the city, staff have started mowing season and are preparing for a soft rollout of pay‑to‑park at Glen Auto Park targeted for around Memorial Day, and a wildfire safety fair will be held April 5 at Llewellyn Park.

Superintendent Jonah Jacobson reported that the February Friends of Trees event planted 26 street‑strip trees, two front‑yard street trees and 12 trees in Troutdale Park, for a reported total of 40 new trees. Jacobson also said parks staff have begun mowing at Columbia Park and are installing new parks rule signs across city parks.

Jacobson said staff and the Public Works director are working on a contract to implement a pay‑to‑park system at Glen Auto Park with the city’s stipulation of no fees for Troutdale residents; the goal for setup is “around Memorial Day” with a soft first‑year rollout. He also announced that the city will host a wildfire safety fair on Saturday, April 5 from 1:00 to 2:30 p.m. at Llewellyn Park’s tennis courts, organized with the Oregon State Fire Marshal and aimed especially at residents near parks and wooded areas.

Public commenters raised several operational and neighborhood questions. Resident Paul Wilcox asked whether Sunrise Park’s carved wooden sign that was lost in an ice storm will be replaced and whether planting‑strip trees have irrigation. Jacobson said he has sought a like‑for‑like carved sign but has difficulty finding local craftsmen and asked the committee whether a modern printed sign would be acceptable; committee members recommended replacing with the most durable option and considering the high school woodshop or local signmakers as lower‑cost alternatives.

On irrigation, Jacobson and Friends of Trees volunteer Frank Stevens said contractors highlight utilities and choose the “right tree for the right place,” and that irrigation availability varies across developments; Stevens explained that the planting program requires locating utilities before planting and that homeowners typically handle ongoing irrigation for street trees in front‑yard plantings.

Other public items: Frank Stevens announced an upcoming SOLVE invasive‑removal/trash pickup event at the Sandy River trails (end‑of‑month dates were discussed) and encouraged benchmarking Oregon Parks and Recreation practices for trail access control. Committee members asked staff to pursue targeted resident notifications for the Helen Althouse Park court closure and to include alternative court locations on closure signage.

The committee also approved the February 19 minutes with corrections noted by Paul Wilcox and voted to cancel the April 16 Parks Advisory Committee meeting to allow staff and the new Public Works administrator time to prepare and due to overlapping budget committee schedules.