Yamhill County commissioners adopt parks system plan, stress need to secure funding

The Yamhill County Board of Commissioners voted unanimously Sept. 18 to approve the county Parks System master plan, a strategic document that outlines park improvements, priorities and potential projects across county-managed sites.

Commissioners and parks staff said the plan will guide future project selection and grant applications but emphasized it will require dedicated funding to avoid becoming "a plan on the shelf." Several commissioners urged the board to identify revenue options — from grants to lodging or general-fund allocations — and to consider starting with smaller, lower‑cost projects that can demonstrate early success.

The plan was presented to the board by parks staff Mark (last name not specified) and Travis (last name not specified). Commissioners discussed the role of the parks board in developing the plan, recent on-site visits (including Crabtree Park), and community fundraising efforts. One commissioner noted a community fundraising effort for Ed Grenfell Park raised approximately $11,500, citing the figure during the meeting as an example of local support.

Board members and parks board representatives said Crabtree Park — which the county will take over when an existing lease ends — and other sites could benefit from targeted seed funding to leverage grants and private donations. Commissioners thanked the parks board and memorialized the late parks board member Jim Colbert, noting his $10,000 seed donation to county parks fundraising efforts and that his name was added to plan materials in recognition of his service.

After discussion about outreach and next steps, a commissioner moved approval of the master plan and the board voted "aye" on the motion. The chair announced the motion passed unanimously.

The board and staff said next steps include coordinating with the parks board to pursue grant opportunities, consider a specific early project to pilot funding and continue public outreach to build support and volunteer engagement.

Votes at the meeting related to the parks plan and associated items were recorded as unanimous; no individual roll‑call votes with named commissioner-by-commissioner tallies were read into the record during the meeting.

Commissioners and staff emphasized that approval of the plan does not itself provide construction or operating funds; the plan is to be used as a roadmap to pursue funding and to prioritize county parks work in coming budget cycles.