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Troutdale parks staff report repeated vandalism; committee weighs return of Sunrise Park restroom
Summary
Parks staff told the Troutdale Parks Advisory Committee that repeated, coordinated vandalism has damaged fixtures across multiple parks and forced removal of a portable restroom at Sunrise Park; sheriff's deputies have increased patrols and staff outlined options including return of a portable unit in peak season or building a permanent restroom.
Troutdale parks staff reported recurring vandalism at multiple city parks, saying the pattern includes torn-off fixtures, smashed trash cans and overturned portable restrooms that created public-health risks and staff overtime.
"This group of kids . . . were very scared and crying, and . . . begging and pleading to be given community service," Jonah Jacobson, a city staff member, said after deputies intercepted youths during an early-morning incident. Jacobson said the city removed the portable restroom at Sunrise Park in the fall after repeated vandalism and slow contractor response left human waste on the ground for days.
The committee was told the sheriff's office has increased overnight patrols as staff and deputies try to stem the damage. Jacobson said a recent enforcement contact produced a citation for a 19‑year‑old and juvenile referrals, but vandals returned the following night with a larger group.
Jacobson described options for restoring restroom service at Sunrise Park: returning a portable unit on a seasonal basis, anchoring or otherwise hardening a portable unit (for example, with chained anchors or a fenced cinder‑block enclosure), or pursuing grant or capital funds to build a permanent, masonry restroom similar to the one at Columbia Park. He cautioned that temporary units carry recurring rental and repair costs and remain vulnerable to vandalism.
Committee members recommended community engagement and neighborhood outreach to increase local stewardship and reporting. Tiffany Long and other members suggested distributing flyers and creating a neighborhood watch or a Friends of the Parks group to expand informal surveillance. Jacobson said staff will track costs and staff hours related to vandalism and encouraged members to share contacts for neighborhood outreach.
Jacobson thanked Multnomah County Sheriff's deputies and the city's code compliance officer for recent assistance and said the city is compiling expense and response data to inform whether to reintroduce a portable restroom before peak season or to pursue a capital solution.
The committee asked staff to return with cost estimates, a clear recommendation on timing for reinstalling a portable restroom, and grant possibilities for a permanent ADA facility.
