It seems like just a few years ago that Soloflex Corporation controlled all of the beautiful lands that spread out between Baseline and Elam Young Parkway along both sides of 53rd Avenue. Ideal for any industrial or residential use, the land is level and features both open meadows and majestic fir forests. Over time the company moved on but the location of the land got better and better for our growing town. Once thought to be on the East edge of town, the land there is now in the center of it all. Orenco has become the economic and business center of the City with thousands of people living all around the MAX light rail.
This was the perfect land when the City of Hillsboro bought much of it just to own it. Some of it is being turned into affordable housing. Other portions have become the 53rd Avenue park. And the City has now completed the Hidden Creek Community Center which awaits our people when Covid-19 is over. Now the Hillsboro Parks Department is looking to make another move in support of our community. A new park for people of all walks of life and all abilities is being planned and the City wants your input. Here is an excerpt from the project website.
Hillsboro is designing a new park in one of the most exciting locations in Hillsboro. Located right between 53rd Avenue Community Park East and the new Hidden Creek Community Center, this park will be a place for everyone to come together. Here, you will be able to participate in all sorts of play, community gathering, and inter-generational experiences. Our primary goal, though, is for you (and everyone else who comes to this new park) to have fun and feel a deep sense of belonging.
53rd Avenue Community Park West will be an inclusive park and playground for all, which means it will be designed for people of all ages, all abilities, all backgrounds, all orientations, and all of the other alls that connect, create, and strengthen our vital Hillsboro community.
Here is the Tweet the Hillsboro Parks staff put out today:
A new park in Hillsboro with an inclusive playground is being designed and we’d love your input! https://t.co/jet0sCZolz
Join us on Thursday, January 28 at 6pm for a Virtual Open House. We hope to “see” you there. https://t.co/4mZvHzkca9 pic.twitter.com/y7zPrMxhRw
— Hillsboro Parks&Rec (@Hillsboroparks) January 19, 2021
What a great things this will be. A park where the possibilities for fun are unlimited, where all children and all people can have equality and inclusion and everyone will have something special that will appeal to them. The visioning work has been ongoing and has brought forward suggestions from 120 respondents. The project timeline is in the community input and design phase. This is the time to get involved and give your input. The Open House on January 28th is a great time to do that. The link above will get you into the meeting and anyone can Zoom from any device!
What can this park be? How many thousands can it serve in a very meaningful way. The community is going to intentionally design this park with features that appeal to everyone. Wonderful! Attend the meeting and give your input if you can. Go see all the diagrams, plans, and more at the website right here.
Courtesy City Of Hillsboro website – https://www.hillsboro-oregon.gov/
