Parks Department Earns $550,000 Grant to Fund New Memorial Park Playground Equipment

May 16, 2024 – Wilsonville Parks and Recreation is the recipient of a $550,000 federal grant from the federal Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF). The money is to be used toward a project to purchase and install new playground equipment in lower Memorial Park.

Replacing the existing playground is expected to cost about $1.1 million. The City is seeking to procure additional grand funding to cover the remaining cost, but has earmarked money in next year’s budget to move the project forward. It is expected to be completed within two years.

“We’re excited to be able to fund new, upgraded amenities at one of our most frequently visited play sites,” said Dustin Schull, Parks Maintenance Supervisor. “We’re grateful to the LWCF and the National Park Service for recognizing the value our project provides, and for awarding us funding in a competitive grant process. It’s a win for Wilsonville and the 100,000-plus users who visit the park each year.”

The current equipment, installed in 2012, includes a play structure near the athletic courts and a swing set, near the volleyball court. The funding allows the City to replace both heavily-used sections.

Schull believes the City’s grant proposal resonated with the committee because of the City’s long-standing commitment to providing park amenities that are inclusive to the diverse needs and abilities of users, and to gathering extensive public feedback to inform the selection of amenities.

“Once we select our equipment provider, we’ll share a survey with the community that asks people to select preferred design options, color palettes, preferred components, and accessible elements,” Schull said.

The Memorial Park project is one several projects, recent and upcoming, to upgrade the City’s parks. The list includes several new parks in the Villebois neighborhood, the Nature Play Area at Memorial Park, a new 2.9-acre community park in Frog Pond, and play equipment replacement projects at Boones Ferry Park and Sofia Park.

For more information, contact Dustin Schull, Parks Maintenance Supervisor, 503-570-1544, dschull@ci.wilsonville.or.us.

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