HR Parks sets sights on Fairview

More than double the size of the proposed park at Guignard Road (near the Hood River Transfer Station), the Fairview property covers 20-acres over two lots, running west of the existing West Side Trail, just across the street from West Side Elementary School.

The east plot is owned by Jacqueline Skakel, the west by Jeff Blackman and Erin Burnham, according to Hood River County’s online parcel map.

HRVRC pitched the plan last month to turn the greater property into a mixed use community park. The group then crafted a mock-up of a site plan for the purpose of gauging public input. The park would serve versatile uses: four multi-use sports fields, six tennis and pickleball courts, two bocce ball courts, a playground, dog park, picnic shelters and restrooms.

More natural elements would also come into play. Wedged inside would be a 6-acre nature area with wetlands at its core, a community garden, and a 1,770-foot trail connecting to the existing Westside Trail.

Sports fields would flank each side of the middle nature area – bigger multi-use fields to the south, and soccer fields to the north near May Street.

The Parks District planned this summer to build ball fields on an 8.3-acre property on Guignard Road, and even found approval from the County Planning Department through a conditional use permit, but new costs and conditions found earlier this fall in the Park District’s transportation study hamstrung the deal.

“The required conditions were a bit of a deal killer,” said Parks Director Lori Stirn. Per the conditions, she said, the Parks District would need to put in a left turn lane as an access point, and construct full fencing around the property.

Now, the Parks District and HRVRC are setting course for a “Legacy” park at Fairview Drive.

Stirn said the first concern for the Parks District is getting permitted, similar to what was required on the Guignard property. The Parks District is studying the feasibility of the project and the Residents Committee will cover the “lion’s share” of the permitting process, she said.

HRVRC Executive Director Heather Staten said the Fairview property has a complicated land use review because it lies in the National Scenic Area, and it’s more in the land advocacy group’s forte to navigate the more “arcane aspects of the zoning code.”

Funding remains unclear, and the price hasn’t been negotiated, Stirn said.

One potential avenue would be State Parks’ $494,000 “Local Government Grant” originally designated for the Barrett Park site, which has yet to expire.

Staten said the west side of Hood River is forecasted to grow in population, and a park within biking and walking distance will be valuable. She phrased public input received so far as “overwhelmingly enthusiastic.”

“Now is the time to set aside open space for a much-needed community park,” Staten said. “The new neighborhoods would benefit greatly from a conveniently located and beautifully designed park.”