Title
Clackamette Park Master Plan (Goal 3)
Body
RECOMMENDED ACTION (Motion):
Staff will provide an overview of the Clackamatte Park Master Plan and support a discussion by the City Commission of the proposed goal.
BACKGROUND:
Goal 3: Enhance the Livability of the Community
Waterfront Master Plan
* Revisit the Waterfront Master Plan, including Clackamette Park, the boat ramp
location, the RV Park and the City-owned properties across from Clackamette Park.
The City of Oregon City conducted a Waterfront Master Plan which was finalized in 2002 to address the waterfront properties along the Willamette and Clackamas Rivers. This plan helped the city to develop the property at Jon Storm Park as well as the Cove Project. It also addressed the connecting properties including Clackamette Park and city owned properties across the street from the park.
The question of what the long-term plan should be for Clackamette Park including the RV Park, boat ramp, and adjacent city owned properties has been discussed by Commissioners in previous City Commission goal setting sessions as well as regular Commission Meetings. The need to formalize a plan for the properties was most recently discussed at Commission Meetings related to the proposed realignment of the boat ramp.
The current boat ramp which received a 'short-term' repair during the 2016 in-water work season is expected to last approximately 5 years with typical weather events. If the Commission would like to keep a boat ramp at the Clackamette Park property, the long-term boat ramp will need to be placed approximately 350 feet downstream of the current ramp on the Clackamas River. The location of the ramp was identified through a hydrology study report and supported by the Oregon State Marine Board (OSMB) and Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) as the ideal location. A public open house was conducted on September 15, 2016 to inform the community on the need to relocate the ramp and the Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee (PRAC) recommended by motion for the City Commission to move forward with the OSMB recommended relocation. In order to meet the required funding, permitting and planning timelines prior to the end of lifecycle of the current ramp, OSMB and staff will require direction from Commission as soon as possible to avoid loss of motorized river access at Clackamette Park.
The undeveloped city owned properties across from the park are currently used as overflow parking for Clackamette Park, particularly during busy seasons for the boat ramp and large community events at the park. Additionally, the city operated RV Park, which was not identified as a long-term amenity in the 2002 plan, requires capital reinvestment to meet user needs. Staff seek approval of funds to conduct an updated master plan to address the best use of these properties.
BUDGET IMPACT:
$50,000 in general fund support.