Protect Our Parks: Hood River

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).

03/14/2024

Morrison Park is springing back with blooming grass widows and green coming back. Volunteers welcome as we return to more park cleanup. Enjoy your walks and disc golf games! If you see litter, do your part and pick it up. We’ve got a great stretch of spring weather coming - come out and enjoy it.

01/25/2024

The Hood River Valley Parks & Rec District board voted tonight (January 24, 2024) to move ahead with the steps needed to place a ballot measure in front of voters in HR County. The ballot measure would ask for a capital bond to fund:

- New Pool/community center, Splash pad $60,100,000
- Westside Park Development: $5,000,000
- Local trail improvements: $1,500,000
- Park Land (a Parkdale Park, relocating tennis courts to the new Westside Park: $4,000,000
- A maintenance shop for Parks Dept: $800,000

Total: $71,400,000
Capital Bond Rate (Subject to change depending on interest rates, etc): $1.29 per $1000 of assessed value for property

Operating Levy: To fund increased park operations, they would ask for an operating levy for 5 years, covering:

Expanded Parks and Trail Maintenance: $382,000
Recreation (school districts stop funding this in 2024): $114,800
Expanded Admin Costs: $288,974
Additional Costs at the Aquatic Center: $400,826
Total: $1,186,000

Additional Operations Rate Levy: $0.43 per $1000 assessed value

More to come, of course.

Want to check your current assessed value? Hood River County has the info: https://records.co.hood-river.or.us/PSO/ You can also download a history of your property taxes paid over many years.

01/24/2024

Tonight at 5pm …. HRVPRD will move forward on a $60 million capital bond and levy. Monday evening’s HR City Council meeting expressed support among city councilors for a land swap, with Mayor Blackburn pointing out that city residents will get a pool in town while residents in Parkdale and elsewhere in the county will help pay for it.

City Council meeting: YouTube - start at about 1:23:50 in. https://www.youtube.com/live/l2YkUgKftgc?si=7POOPC4NFv9-Cxjv

https://www.facebook.com/100092343679147/posts/290010324087088/

01/02/2024

FYI: In May this year, Hood River Valley Parks and Recreationwill seek funding via a bond measure to build a new pool, along with a levy for operating dollars.

They're looking for volunteers to help with the ballot proposal. A work session is coming up on January 10th. For more info, reach out to board president Nan Noteboom (you can use the park's contact page and direct your note to Nan asking for more details).

Our mission is to be your favorite parks, pool, trails, fields, and open spaces. How can we help you find balance, conquer fears, and grow connections? We find our work for this community very rewarding. Tell us what we can do.

11/25/2023

Hood River City Council- Monday, November 27 at 6pm

A presentation by HRVPRD Executive Director Mark Hickok about new plans for bond funding for a new pool plus park operations is the main item of interest.

Background

In December 2021, after FOUR years working on plans for a 3-part bond measure, HRVPRD came before the County Commissioners to ask for 3 items to go into the May 2022 ballot:
- Dissolving the existing district
- Creating a new district with a higher tax rate to fund park operations
- A bond measure to build a new pool and also fund ongoing maintenance

County Commissioners asked many questions during that meeting. They described concerns about a bond measure that co-mingled capital spending with ongoing maintenance spending support, tax compression, urban renewal district costs, and more.

The Commissioners refused to agree to placement onto the 2022 ballot without a series of questions being answered and in January 2022 the Park board withdrew the request.

On Monday they will describe their newest proposals to the HR City Council as they plan for a 2024 bond measure.

Listeners should bear in mind the city’s expressed plans to put other bond measures up as well.

10/05/2023

We know there are good trail builders among POP supporters. Here is an opportunity to help out Hood River County if you’ve got time.

The Hood River County Forestry Dept. needs your help to rebuild the Lower Trail 140 / Blue Car Downhill OHV trail. Show your support for reopening one of Post Canyon's most vital, iconic trails.

Two trail work parties are planned this month:

Dates: October 14th & 28th
Time: 9 am start to 4 pm
Worksite: Lower 140 / Blue Car Downhill rebuild
Meeting site: Family Man Staging Area
Bring: Water, snacks, proper footwear, gloves, trail-building attire and a good attitude

Hope to see you there!