Mosier council authorizes state grant application for proposed skate park amid resident concerns about site

The Mosier City Council voted Jan. 22 to authorize a grant application to the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department to fund design and construction of a proposed 7,000-square-foot skate park, while several residents urged the council to reconsider the project’s proposed greenspace site because of wildlife, safety and tree concerns.

The proposal’s backers, including presenter Lee Campbell, told the council the project has had two years of public outreach and that the OPRD grant would cover design and construction. Danyel Scott of Dreamland Skateparks, LLC, presented conceptual graphics and said designers accounted for the surrounding landscape and included family-oriented greenspace around the skate features.

Residents who live near the proposed location urged the council to move the park. Jack Anderson, who said he has lived in Mosier for more than 20 years and lives across from the proposed site, said eagles perch in trees along the creek, that ospreys and falcons use the area in summer, and that the site is currently greenspace and part of the Mosier Plateau Trail. Steven, a property owner who said his shop sits across from the site, called the location dangerous because of nearby train tracks and said he worried about increased trash and spray painting. Sarah Goodman, an 11-year resident, asked whether dead trees in the area would be removed and how that would affect bird habitat.

Design and budget details discussed at the meeting were limited. A council member identified as Charlie asked about elevation change from Highway 30 down to the concrete; Scott said the drop is about 4–5 feet and was considered in the design. Council member Ron asked whether the cited $500,000 was a construction cost; Andrea Rogers said the $500,000 figure covers design and construction and that the project would be built to a guaranteed maximum price (GMP). When Councilor Gary asked whether passing the resolution would lock the city into the current site, Scott said the Conditional Use Permit process would allow the city to consider alternate sites even though existing design work was for the present location: “We’re not locked in, but tonight’s resolution is simply to allow us to seek funding,” she said.

Councilor Estes moved to adopt Resolution #2025-01, "Resolution Authorizing a Grant Application to the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department for the Development of a Skatepark." Councilor Wright seconded; the council adopted the resolution with conditions that location decisions be researched and considered during the formal Conditional Use Permit process. The motion passed with a unanimous voice vote.

Why it matters: the OPRD grant would provide a major portion of funding for design and construction of the skate park, but neighbors’ concerns about wildlife habitat, tree removal, proximity to train tracks and public-safety issues could affect final site selection during the CUP process. The council’s approval allows staff to pursue funding, but does not finalize a construction site.

Next steps: staff will submit the grant application with help from Main Street Mosier and proceed into the formal design and Conditional Use Permit review, during which site selection and environmental impacts will be examined.