Protect Our Parks: Hood River

03/24/2026

Hood River Valley Parks and Recreation gave a warm tribute to Art Carroll, a long-time supporter of Hood River parks, who passed away on February 28.

Anyone who has enjoyed walking on the Indian Creek Trail does so because of Art's work on that trail system, including persuading many landowners to agree to easements to permit the trail to go through their property.

You can watch the video on the HRVPRD YouTube. This link will take you directly to the tribute to Art.

Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

09/26/2025

If the open space and water recreational opportunities are important to you, consider a role on the Port of Hood River Foundation board.

The Port of Hood River Foundation continues to look for new members to join the board of directors.

When first formed in October 2024, the board consisted solely of the existing Port commissioners. They realized this year that having a more independent board might lead to stronger ideas, so this is your chance to apply.

Please note: You do NOT have to live in Hood River County to be a board member (i.e. applicants from White Salmon, Bingen, Lyle, etc are welcome to apply). Interest in the Hood River waterfront or the Ken Jernstedt airfield are primary, along with strengths that would let you make this Foundation a workable entity.

Note: The 3 applications received so far are all from people interested in the Airfield... so waterfront interest and knowledge is definitely needed.

Note 2: You'd have a chance to weigh in on the license plate scheme as well!

Application form and more details here: https://www.portofhoodriver.com/the-port-of-hood-river-foundation-seeks-dedicated-community-leaders

09/22/2025

Although it's not a City park, many people enjoy (or used to) the area around the old Powerdale station.

On Monday, September 15, the HR County Board of Commissioners heard an ambitious plan to remove the Powerdale building, restore habitat access and floodplain to the area, improve pedestrian safety, and more. Partner groups would be the Hood River Watershed Group, Land Trust, and other funding agencies.

You can listen to the presentation, and the county commissioners discussion of the plan, here: https://youtu.be/Olmhkhn3LHQ

If you want timestamps because you don't have an hour to spare to watch or listen:

History of the Powerdale dam, etc: From start to about 17:00

18:00 to about 27:00 == Info on what the restoration can do for habitat

27:-00 to about 42:00 - conceptual designs, biological info, etc; access/railroad/recreation

42:16: Info on how the funding could work and next steps

51:16 Concerns about the historic value of the Powerdale building

58:13: Kate Conley (Columbia Land Trust) mentions this is a habitat project and they will still need to develop concepts fully for recreational access & historical/educational parts. The conceptual design now is to accomplish 1/3 of the goals (habitat restoration). This river restoration will be critical to fish including salmon and steelhead.

1:00:34 ... Commissioners debate next steps (Spoiler ... they say to go ahead with the plan that would approve the demolition of the Powerdale building, but the agencies working on the project must consider the recreatinal access and memorializing the historical significance of the Powerdale bldg)

A big step forward...

The discussion included a mention that County neglect for years (from 2013 to 2025) have resulted in a vandalized building, tons of trash, unsafe areas for kids etc to visit, and more. Brief mention of the plan for the electric gate(mentioned in 2024I).

A presentation on how the decommissioned & vandalized Powerdale building adjacent to the Hood River could be removed and a full habitat and floodplain restor...

07/04/2025

Hood River Valley Parks and Recreation took a step on July 2 towards finally getting the land to connect Indian Creek Trail from beginning to end.

They voted to allocate $150,000 from SDC (system development charges - fees paid by developers to fund increased future park requirements & acquisitions) to help with the fundraising effort to acquire the land. The city has been trying to complete the trail for 25 years - so this is a significant step!

Status now is that the developer (see prior Inform post on the plan to build ~50 condos at market rate pricing on the south parcel of land owned by them) has agreed to a purchase agreement for 9 acres of land north of Indian Creek. What else needs to happen?
- The purchase agreement requires a "proof of funds" by July 22. The $150,000 from HRVPRD helps with that.
- Neighborhood groups have already pledged about $346,000 for the effort. Total purchase price = $684,000 (that's just the land, not trail construction)
- The parcel of property will have to officially be partitioned
- The rest of the funds have to be raised

Besides the new Hood River Valley Parks & Rec Foundation (https://www.hrvparksfoundation.org/indiancreek), there are community partners involved, including Columbia Land Trust, Avalon & Broken Tee neighborhood groups, and the HRVPR District.
More details on the foundation website: https://www.hrvparksfoundation.org/indiancreek

Other HRVPRD news: There's an open house at the Hood River Aquatic Center (1601 May Street) on Wednesday, July 9th from 6pm to 8pm. Free admission, light refreshments, family friendly - info on what's up with pool plans.

08/31/2024

08/13/2024

The Protect Our Parks community shares the sadness that others have expressed for the loss of Josh Sceva, who passed away on August 10.

We knew Josh through his advocacy for city parks for many years. He often expressed pride in what he and other neighbors did in the city's oldest park - Waucoma Park - and he could often be found with a dedicated group, pulling out cucumber vine, working with water problems, and more.

He could speak out at the City Council, and didn't hesitate to express his thoughts. But he also was a quiet force as well - working to return Morrison Park to the kind of beautiful urban park that could be shared by disc golfers, dog walkers, runners, and nature lovers alike. The path that now meanders along the stream and around the perimeter of the park is just a part of his work. Along with other regular volunteers, Josh would show up in the morning, with rake and clippers and a bunch of tools, and just get to it.

Josh could also act as a wise voice who could find a calmer way to express a concern, and he could be funny and witty and just a joy to know.

He'll be missed by many people.

06/08/2024

Our POP volunteers appreciate the mention in the Hood River Valley Parks and Recreation budget. They note how volunteers help maintain parks, including Morrison Park and the Skate Park.

"We also use many volunteers to complete work; there is a dedicated group of volunteers who do trail work every Tuesday, one volunteer who does litter, bathroom cleanup, and air blows at the Skate Park and Morrison Park. Also, there is a group that seasonally works on projects at Morrison Park. These hours combined account for an additional part-time employee."

Interested in helping in clean-up and trail work at Morrison? Let us know - volunteers are often out there starting around 8 or 8:30am Wednesday mornings (weather/rain/heat permitting).