City of Columbia City

1840 Second Street, PO Box 189, Columbia City, OR 97018  (503) 397-4010

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Parks Department

The Parks Maintenance Department is responsible for the daily operation and maintenance of five City parks consisting of more than eleven acres.  The Department also oversees park development projects. 

The Park Maintenance Department is funded primarily by state revenue sharing and miscellaneous revenue.   

The Parks Department is currently staffed by the Public Works Superintendent and two Utility Workers.  The Public Works Superintendent is responsible for overseeing the day-to-day operations and the development of the City parks, and for supervising the park maintenance staff.  The department can be reached by calling (503) 366-0454, or faxing to (503) 366-2870, and their mailing address is PO Box 189, Columbia City, OR 97018.  The City Shop is located at 1755 Second Place.

The City has an active Parks Committee, and they meet as needed.  Parks Committee Meeting Minutes are available on-line.

Park Descriptions:

 

Harvard Park (0.39 acres):  This developed neighborhood park is located on Sixth Street between Calvin and Penn Streets.  It currently has playground equipment, an open green area for field games, park benches, picnic tables, drinking fountain and a restroom. 

 

Columbia City Bike Path (5.39 acres):  This popular bike path is used by walkers, bicyclists, joggers, and skaters.  It extends along the west side of Highway 30, and it is easily accessible from a trail system that leads to the City of St. Helens. 

 

McBride Meadows Trail System (2.09 acres):   This trail system extends from the paved City Bike Path at the north end of the City in a westerly direction along the top of the bank along McBride Creek.  It is accessible from Mattie Street in two locations - at Tahoma Street and Park Drive.

 

Jim Bundy Memorial Park (2.86 acres):  This park is located at the corner of "E" Street and Highway 30, adjacent to the Columbia City Bike Path.  This centrally located park is heavily wooded and easily accessible to travelers.  It features a beautiful display of trillium from April through June. The park has a picnic shelter, picnic tables, park benches, walking trails, and restroom.

 

Datis Park (0.14 acres):  This waterfront park is located on The Strand and provides a scenic view of the river activity.  The Parks Committee plans to add a fishing dock.

 

Carolyn King Park (0.06 acres):  This viewpoint park provides spectacular views of the Columbia River, Mt. St. Helens, and Mt. Adams. The park is located at the corner of Ninth and "K" Streets, and has a covered picnic table.

 

Columbia City Elementary School (1.92 acres):  This area is accessible to the public during non-school hours, and includes playground equipment, volleyball area, soccer and softball field, basketball court, picnic tables, and benches with views of the Columbia River. The park is accessible from Second, First and "F" Streets.

 

Pixie Park (0.31 acres):  This waterfront park is privately owned and maintained by the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR).  This park is located at the corner of The Strand and "I" Street.  This is a popular park for picnics and it provides breathtaking views of Columbia River, Mt. Adams, Mt. Hood, and river traffic and activities.  It has a well maintained grassy area for lounging and picnics, picnic tables, and access to the river.

 

Ruth Rose Richardson Memorial Park (0.46 acres):  This private park is also owned and maintained by the DAR, and is located on "I" Street between First Street and The Strand. This well maintained park is beautifully landscaped and provides a grassy area for picnics, and benches with spectacular views of the Columbia River, Mt. Adams, and river traffic and activities.

 

DEPARTMENT OBJECTIVES FOR 2009-10:

 

To develop detailed master plans for each of the City's parks.  Target date:  December 2009.

 

To complete the development of Phase II of the McBride Creek trail system, consisting of natural surface hiking trails down the bank to the creek area.  Target date: June 2010.

 

To pursue the acquisition of easements and/or land along the length of McBride Creek, including the Trestle Beach area, for the development of a linear park and beachfront park in accordance with City Council Goal No. 3F and the City's Park Master Plan.  Target date: Ongoing.

 

To pursue alternative funding through grants for the acquisition of additional park property. Target date:  Ongoing.

 

To continue to develop Datis Park with the assistance of volunteers and donated materials, and seek grant funding for the development of a fishing dock.  Target date:  June 2010.

 

To continue to develop Harvard Park by installing park benches and a water fountain with an animal water bowl.  Target date:  July 2009.

 

To complete the development of the adopt-a-highway area by adding a Welcome to Columbia City sign and landscaping according to a landscaping plan.  Target date:  September 2009.

 

To keep all City park lawns groomed and green, trees and shrubs properly trimmed and maintained, and refuse removed daily.  Target date:  Ongoing.

 

To communicate to the City Council through a monthly activities report and to the public through the City's newsletter.  Target date:  Ongoing.

 

To develop fitness stations along the linear bike path.  Target date:  June 2010.

 

PRIOR YEAR ACCOMPLISHMENTS:

 

A focus was put on completing the development of Jim Bundy Memorial Park.  A drip irrigation system was installed to maintain the landscaping.  Barbeques and a drinking fountain with an animal water bowl were added near the picnic shelter.  A handicapped- accessible path was installed to connect the parking lot, picnic shelter, restroom facilities, and bicycle path together.  The trees in the forested area were trimmed, and dead trees were removed.  The Columbia County Corrections work crew assisted with the cleanup.   Volunteers continued to work to clear the park of weeds, blackberry bushes, ivy and other unwanted vegetation and woody debris.  The ninth annual SOLV sponsored "Down By the Riverside" cleanup day was coordinated, and two public waterside areas were cleaned by a group of volunteers and City staff.  The Department assumed the routine maintenance responsibilities for DAR-owned parks.

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