Mill Park's development set to begin
Posted Nov. 3, 2021
Staff Editor
Mill Park, an area of 5.7 acres within the David Douglas district, will begin development at S.E. 117th Avenue and Mill Court in East Portland, announced Portland Parks Commissioner Carmen Rubio and Portland Parks and Recreation (PP&R).
Portland City Council had allocated $300,000 towards park development from 2014’s Fall supplemental budget for Eastside parks. SDC funds for the amount of $10.4 million were included in the project. SDC funds are one-time use fees for the quality of life to maintain in Portland by keeping up with projects like infrastructure. By law, these funds may only be used for the expansion or enhancement to PP&R. The investment will remain
clean due to the recently passed Parks Local Option Levy, which will also allow PP&R to maintain the park. PP&R completed a public outreach project in April 2015 to gain insight into the community’s choice on which sites to choose for development. Midland Park and Mill Park were chosen for a concurrent process after a year-long process of gathering information.
The final approval took place at the April 21, 2021 council meeting to implement the Mill Park Master Plan. The initial meeting had finalized the Mill Park Master plan, which includes a playground, splash pad, community garden, and other amenities in a council meeting that took place at David Douglas High School on Nov. 8, 2017. The Master plan established the primary uses and features by arranging them on a plan for the park space.
The advisory committee recruitment and project set-up took place this past spring. Community Engagement and design development is currently underway with community gatherings. Construction documents, bidding, and permitting will take place Spring 2022 to Spring 2023. Construction will be taking place Spring 2023 to Spring 2024. The opening date of the park is planned for the summer of 2024.
Project Advisory Community meetings took place on May 25 and July 26. Committee members include Amy Schutzer, Andrew Long, Anne Downing, Audrey Anderson, Ayan Salat, Barbie Tew, Erin Zollenkopf, Francis Khampi, Heather Craig, Jasmine Anderson, Juanita Villalobos, Kari Koch, Mohammad Kahlid, Nang Piang, Pyae Sone Aung, and Trevor Hopper.
