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Lane County parks managers report $30 million levy progress and outline 2027 renewal plans
Summary
Parks staff told commissioners the 2022 local option levy is providing about $30 million over five years, with most funding used for operations/amenities and a portion for conservation/grants. Staff outlined capital projects completed and underway and said they are planning a renewal proposal for 2027.
Brett Henry, Lane County Parks division manager, and Park Superintendent Steve Rayfuse presented the board with the annual update on the 2022 local option parks levy and outlined plans for a potential renewal in 2027.
Henry said the levy, passed in November 2022, is providing “approximately $30,000,000 over a 5 year period” and listed four priorities identified by the parks funding task force: reducing deferred maintenance; staffing and equipment for operations; conservation, stewardship and environmental and cultural programming; and cooperative grants to local groups. Henry said about 81% of levy dollars have gone to park operations and amenities and about 19% to conservation, education and grant programs.
Presenters reviewed numerous completed and ongoing projects: roof replacements and dock rebuilds at multiple sites; Perkins Peninsula boarding‑dock replacement; Arboretum parking repaving and bus drop improvements with ADA upgrades; Harbor Vista campground sewer and hookup upgrades tied to a $250,000 state Parks & Recreation grant and anticipated city cost sharing; replacement of Forest Glen restroom lost in the Holiday Farm Fire; Baker Bay restroom strategy moving to additional vault restrooms; and an accessible water‑launch and ADA connector path at Mount Pisgah currently in engineering and permitting with the Corps and Department of State Lands.
Henry and Rayfuse highlighted partnerships and grants that stretched levy dollars, citing a $113,000 recreational trails program award and marine board grants that covered part of water‑access work. Staff said some projects benefited from coordination with the roads division for slurry sealing and striping, and from volunteer organizations such as Mount Pisgah Arboretum and David’s Chair partners.
The presenters said they are preparing for a renewal ballot measure in 2027 and are considering keeping the levy rate the same or lower; staff also noted the importance of a public messaging and outreach plan, possibly informed by polling. Commissioners commended the division for visible improvements and asked staff to report back with more details on public outreach strategy and the specific list of shovel‑ready projects that would best support a renewal campaign.
No vote was taken; staff will return with further planning and outreach details.
