BOHEMIA PARK
A 14-acre site that has seen time as both a center of economic activity and as an eyesore, is again becoming the centerpiece for community revitalization in Cottage Grove. The future home of Bohemia Park was first established in 1879 as a main railroad stop along the Southern Pacific rail line, and has since experienced many changes. A rail depot and sawmill called the land home in t
he early 1900s, and the town grew up around the area thanks to its location along the main north/south rail line and the related economic opportunities. In the late 1930s, the
site became the Oregon Pacific and Eastern Railroad rail yard. It remained so until 1991, when the land began a period of vacancy that would last until 2008. Today, this location in the center of Cottage Grove is being trans-formed from a bleak-looking public space into a beautiful gathering
area for local residents with regional appeal. Each step has been the result of tremendous public-private collaboration and direct community participation. For nearly eight years the Bohemia Foundation worked quietly on plans to transform this vacant lot into Cottage Grove’s “Community Living Room,” with a traditional park, special community gathering spaces, and an historical interpretive center as its centerpieces. The site was purchased, cleaned up, and the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality then issued no-further-action letters clearing the site for construction of the park. Construction of Bohemia Park began in 2008 and again heralded great changes for the site. The City of Cottage Grove rezoned the site from industrial to parks and recreation, approved the Mixed-Use Master Plan for the three phases of construction for the park, and approved the construction plans for Phase 1. Workers shaped more than ¾ of Bohemia Park, installed the storm sewer system and planted grass by the end of 2008. Hundreds of “sweat equity” hours have been contributed by volunteers. In the spring of 2009, the central and north ends of the park opened for public use. Shaping of the south end of the park took place in the spring of 2010. During the summer months the irrigation was installed, many of the pathways were laid and the in-ground infrastructure for conduit was completed. Through the efforts of the park’s dedicated partners, we are currently working on grants with Meyer Memorial Trust, the Collins Foundation, and Oregon Community Foundation. Two grants were awarded during the Summer and Fall of 2011. These grants from The Woodard Family Foundation and The Ford Family Foundation totaled $300,000. We are also aggressively perusing development funds from local businesses, individuals and service organiza-tions. In conjunction with South Valley Rotary, the park hosted the second annual community-wide fundraiser, “Park Pour”. The “Park Pour” fundraiser created an opportunity to thank current donors, share information regarding the park development and raise funds for the Play Area. Park partners and volunteers completed a planting day, a clean-up event, and two other fundraising opportunities during the Spring and Summer of 2011. The upcoming park amenities phase includes items such as railcars, plaza, water feature and interpretative signage. The final phase of the park is the construction of the museum. ft. heritage museum will have gallery space, conference/classrooms and tell the story of Cottage Grove’s rich history. The museum facility will cost approximately $3.9 million. Through great planning, the hard work of many key partners, and the incredible generosity from local foundations and citizens, Bohemia Park will be a reality. A new era will begin in Cottage Grove, one that will build on the past and preserve it for future generations.
