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Commission approves Hazeldale Park access improvements despite concerns about tree removals and wildlife habitat
Summary
Clark County's Historic Preservation Commission approved site improvements at Hazeldale Community Park—including 41 paved parking stalls and ADA access—while commissioners and residents pressed staff on the planned removal of four trees and potential impacts to red‑tailed hawk habitat.
The Historic Preservation Commission voted Feb. 4 to approve a certificate of appropriateness for public-access improvements at Hazeldale Community Park, recording a unanimous aye tally among commissioners present.
Bart Catching, community planning staff, told the commission the application seeks groundwork improvements—parking formalization, trail and pedestrian access upgrades, stormwater management and landscaping—and concluded those changes are compatible with the Secretary of the Interior's standards for the historic district when conditioned on archaeological consultation and standard inadvertent-discovery language.
Lindy Wallach of Clark County Parks and Nature outlined the scope: the current design formalizes a parking area with 41 stalls (two meeting ADA requirements), adds a new sidewalk entrance from NE 68th Street and realigns pathways to create accessible routes to the shelters, restrooms and play areas. Wallach said the project is at roughly 60% design, with an open house planned for March and construction anticipated between August and December 2026.
Residents raised design and environmental concerns during public comment. Daniel Adams, who lives across from the park, said the proposed west expansion threatens an "active red tailed hawk habitat" and asked the county to preserve the pasture. Bonnie Nichols urged the commission to preserve a small memorial maple ("Adam's Tree") near the lower playground; Wallach confirmed no planned removal inside the existing fenced playground footprint and said equipment will be returned to the same curve.
Commissioners focused on tree removals and canopy succession. Commissioner Frasier noted the park is a 1950s-era site with a distinctive Douglas‑fir character and urged replacement planting that respects the historic setting. Staff and consultants said the project includes removal of four trees specific to the design, hazard-tree work had already occurred in some areas, and a canopy-succession plan and replanting are part of the project. Staff also confirmed timber from hazard removals is often reused for site furnishings when feasible.
Commissioner Frasier moved to approve the certificate of appropriateness; Rob Thomas seconded. Roll-call votes recorded ayes and the motion passed. Staff will require archaeological consultation before ground disturbance, include standard inadvertent-discovery language in permits and request written approval for any change orders that alter reviewed work.
The parks department expects to complete 60% design and host public open houses in March before moving to engineering review and permitting; construction is planned for late summer to winter 2026.
