PORTLAND, Ore. – One of Portland’s oldest and most-visited parks is about to get a major facelift, if the city can raise $94 million to fund it.
The Portland City Council approved a new master plan for Washington Park, which contains popular destinations such as the Rose Garden, the Japanese Garden and the Oregon Zoo. More than 3 million people visit the park each year.
The expansive plan includes major upgrades for park entrances and gardens, as well as better access for pedestrians and bicyclists. The plan will guide the park's changes over the next 20 years.
The master plan was completed in February after 18 months of drafting and public input. The city council approved it on March 15. All of the upgrades are projected to cost $94 million.
“This new master plan will guide Washington Park towards an enhanced visitor experience for everyone, with less dependence on cars,” said Amanda Fritz, the commissioner for Portland parks. “The park’s natural areas will be improved and preserved, maintenance will be a key initiative, and Washington Park will become more transit-friendly and pedestrian-friendly.”
The plan includes:
- A new park entrance on West Burnside for pedestrians and bicyclists
- More plazas and gardens, including a garden between the Rose Garden and the Japanese Garden
- A garden plaza at the park’s MAX stop, so visitors will get off the MAX and see a garden instead of a parking lot
- A trail that connects the entire park
- An indoor garden at the Japanese Garden
- New tennis courts
According to the master plan, the same amount of parking spaces will remain at Washington Park. A transportation study will look at better ways to improve access for people who do not drive to the park.
Currently, a shuttle bus provides free access to the park between April and October. The recent addition of paid parking spaces in Washington Park also helped cut down on the number of cars that frequent the park even as the number of visitors rose, according to a news release.
Additional transportation options could include bike rentals, more shuttles and more trails.
According to Mark Ross, spokesman for Portland Parks & Recreation, the plan hinges on the results of the transportation study. The study is set to begin in the next six months, once it is approved by the Explore Washington Park board.
The other projects will happen in phases as funding is available. Money from the paid parking spaces at the park will help pay for some transportation projects. Washington Park brings in $2 million annually from parking fees.
Funding to implement most of the master plan projects has not yet been secured.
“Portland Parks & Recreation will be working with the Commissioner-in-Charge of Parks, Metro, and the community, to seek funding for implementing the projects outlined in the master plan update,” the release said.
Ross said a revenue bond is a possibility to help fund the plan.
"There is a possibility for a revenue bond, which would be paid back with the revenue collected from paid parking. This is one possibility. And there is nothing immediate on the horizon – it would need to be approved by both City Council and Metro Council. Such an endeavor would not cost the taxpayers anything, as the money to pay it back would come from paid parking revenue," he said.
Ross said the funding strategy will be put together after the transportation study is completed.