The City Council approved the City's Parks, Recreation and Open Space Master Plan in May, 2002.  This Plan was created to ensure that the livability of Forest Grove is preserved and recreation needs of its residents are addressed.  The Master Plan describes a vision for parks and recreation opportunities for the next ten years and outlines a five-year plan toward achieving the vision. 

Related Links:  Parks, Recreation and Open Space Master Plan (2002)
Community Trails Project
Lincoln Park Renovation Project 
Thatcher Park Project
Forest Glen Trail Project

Community Trails Project

The Community Trails Project represents a major step towards updating the concepts identified in the Parks, Recreation and Open Space Master Plan (2002) and determines the feasibility of building trails in and around our community.  The City Council adopted the Community Trails Master Plan on October 8, 2007.  Results from this plan will direct the future of trail development in Forest Grove.

The Recreation Commission formed the Trails Advisory Committee to study and create a plan that would have a system of community-wide trails and connections to promote a sense of community, build physical connections, serve all ages and abilities, contribute to a strong local economy and establish partnerships.  Ric Balfour and Associates facilitated discussions and compiled input from citizens including:

• Three (3) community meetings that included over 50 citizens;
  
• Six (6) Trails Advisory Committee meetings with staff;
  
• Three (3) presentations before the Recreation Commission;
  
• Utility bill survey responses from 232 citizens;
  
• Numerous meetings with neighbors seeking input; and
  
• Numerous meetings with land owners and developers.

Related Links:

 Community Trails Master Plan
 Emerald Necklace Newsletter July 07

Lincoln Park Renovation Project

The Lincoln Park Renovation Project will ultimately transform Lincoln Park into a first-class athletic complex and community park facility.  In cooperation with and funded by Pacific University, improvements will include a track facility, artificial turf soccer field, competitive softball field, relocated Bond Baseball Field, two new restroom facilities and spectator seating at all venues.  

Related Links:

Lincoln Park Athletic Complex
Press Releases
Link to Pacific University site

Thatcher Park Project

Thatcher Park is an unimproved 26-acre site on the northwest side of Forest Grove that was purchased from the School District in 2002.  As part of the Lincoln Park Renovation Project, Pacific University agreed to fund construction of a lighted soccer field and two baseball/softball fields and infrastructure at Thatcher Park.  An advisory committee comprised of neighbors, sports advocates, local farmers and fire department officials has worked with Group MacKenzie, a leading design firm in the Pacific Northwest for several months.    A Master Plan for development of Thatcher Park has been completed and was approved by the Parks & Recreation Commission and the City Council in March 2008.

Construction will begin during June.  Canby Excavating was awarded the contract to construct sports fields and other amenities at the park.

Related Links:

Thatcher Park Master Plan Draft
OPRD Local Government Grant Presentation

Forest Glen Trail Project

The first section of the master plan trail system called the "Emerald Necklace" will be completed as part of the Thatcher Park Project contract.  Forest Glen Trail will run 4,000 feet with a 300-foot, soft-surface loop through wetlands in what is now Forest Glen Park.  Most of the path will be paved so cyclists can travel it.  The trail will begin near two homes west of the park, then run through a wooded area, along a creek and wetlands, through a stand of oaks and past the park's basketball courts, ending near the entrance to Forest Gale Heights.