The 3.5-acre Hazel Grove Park, informally named Filbert Run Park until December 1, 2021, is scheduled for grand opening on Friday, May 27, 1 p.m. The community is invited to attend this event and experience the new play features, shelter, and walk the winding pathways that were created to help preserve wetland habitat and tree canopy. Ribbon cutting, speeches, and refreshments are to be expected. The Park is located at 11720 Hazelnut Avenue, Oregon City, OR 97045.
Groundbreaking for this park occurred on Tuesday, July 27, 2021.
“The location of this park has deep roots in Oregon City’s history. The property contributed to the agricultural vitality of the area as it once consisted of major filbert (hazelnuts) growing farms.
The revitalized space will now welcome visitors to relax and enjoy the open area which improves quality of life and provides some respite from daily routine for those in the Westling Farm and Hazel Grove neighborhood,” said Commission President Denyse McGriff.
In 2015, public meetings were held to gain input from neighbors about the desired use of the future park, and comments were incorporated and adopted into the master plan design concept. Located at 11720 Hazelnut Avenue, it was important to the neighbors to keep the most active areas of the future park centrally located, such as the shelter and children's nature play area, to cause minimal impact to the existing mature tree canopy. It was also important to maximize the available open lawn area for active recreation opportunities. New native ornamental planting was included, in selected areas of the drainage-way, to increase water quality and create visual interest.
The existing sidewalk spur from Hummingbird Loop will be extended over a new pedestrian bridge into the center of the park and down to a new accessible park entrance at the end of the Westwood Drive spur. Making parks usable by all abilities is a high priority for Oregon City leadership and community members.
Oregon City Parks and Recreation Director, Kendall Reid said, “This new amenity in our park system is integral to increasing parks in underserved neighborhoods. We have shown there can be big impacts in constrained spaces with the redevelopment of Hazel Grove Park. I hope everyone in the community can come enjoy this space and appreciate the preservation of open space that was very important to the neighborhood.”
The Park development cost $1,058,000 and was funded through a mix of general funds, system development fees, and a Local Government Grant awarded by the State of Oregon Parks and Recreation Department. Construction was performed by Paul Brothers Inc. and architectural planning by Lango Hansen Landscape Architects.