Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Parks topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Council approves Metro‑funded inclusive bird pavilion, authorizes city sponsor and license
Summary
The council approved two measures allowing Friends of Gladstone Nature Park to build an inclusive bird pavilion on city property using a $132,000 Metro grant (with a $68,000 match). The city will act as government sponsor and grant a license; votes passed 5‑0 with Councilor LaVonte recorded as abstaining.
The Gladstone City Council on Oct. 14 approved two agreements enabling construction of an inclusive bird pavilion at Gladstone Nature Park: an intergovernmental agreement with Metro (to act as government sponsor for the $132,000 grant) and a license agreement permitting Friends of Gladstone Nature Park to use a portion of city property for the project.
Jackie Betts, city administrator, told the council Metro awarded Friends of Gladstone Nature Park $132,000 from the Nature & Neighborhoods capital grants program; the project requires a $68,000 local match (which Friends of the Gladstone Nature Park will raise, including in‑kind volunteer contributions). The pavilion will sit adjacent to a newly constructed accessible paved loop trail and include features to accommodate users who are blind or have limited mobility.
"The Inclusive Bird Pavilion is helping us to build more equitable and inclusive access to nature," Nancy Eichstead of Friends of Gladstone Nature Park told the council, listing endorsements and noting the project’s emphasis on accessibility for wheelchair users and people with visual impairments.
Councilors asked whether a future design would require planning commission review, how long‑term maintenance and insurance would be handled, and how the pavilion fits into the park master plan. Staff and Friends representatives said the design will go through an architect and stakeholder engagement before any final plans are submitted; if design review is required, it will be processed through the planning commission. The city will accept the structure as a city asset and cover routine liabilities under municipal insurance; Friends will manage fundraising, design and initial construction oversight.
Councilor Corbett moved to approve the intergovernmental agreement making the city the government sponsor; the motion passed on a roll call (five yes, one abstention). Councilor Corbett then moved to approve the license agreement granting Friends of Gladstone Nature Park use of the site; that motion also passed (five yes, one abstention). The record shows Councilor LaVonte abstained on both votes.
Staff said final design will include community and stakeholder engagement (including people with disabilities) and that materials and details will be selected for durability and low maintenance. Construction and any needed planning reviews will be coordinated with the city’s ongoing accessible trail project.
