Metro Measure 26-203

  Residents of East Multnomah County joined voters across Multnomah, Clackamas and Washington counties by renewing funding for Metro’s parks and nature bond measure during the Nov. 5, 2019 special election.

Because Measure 26-203 replaces previous voter-approved bonds, the measure doesn’t raise taxes. Instead, it renews the current property tax rate of 19 cents per $1,000 of assessed property value. That’s roughly $4 a month for the owner of a $250,000 home.

The $475 million raised will ensure water quality, protect fish and wildlife habitat and preserve natural areas, as well as access to parks and nature. Exactly how much will be allocated to East Multnomah County jurisdictions?

•        Fairview: $640,683

•         Gresham: $5,416,870

•         Troutdale: $793,376 

•        Wood Village: $392,155

Using 2006 Metro bond funding, the City of Fairview spent $460,730 to improve Fairview Woods Park and Salish Ponds Nature Park. The City of Troutdale spent $591,096 to improve the Mt. Hood Community College natural area, the Beaver Creek Greenway Trail and Imagination Station. The City of Wood Village spent $293,118 to create a wetlands pond, habitat preserve and boardwalk at Donald Robertson Park.

Money from the latest funding measure supports six areas:

• Land purchase and restoration — $155 million to purchase land from willing sellers and restore it to improve fish and wildlife habitat and water quality in local rivers and streams such as Johnson Creek, which runs through Gresham. River headwaters and natural areas would be protected and wetlands restored to control flooding.

• Metro parks improvements — $98 million to complete nature parks and increase access for those with disabilities; maintain trails, water systems, bathrooms and other amenities at parks including Oxbow and Blue Lake regional parks.

• Nature in Neighborhood capital grants — $40 million for capital projects to purchase land, restore habitat for fish and wildlife, or provide access to nature. Projects that reduce the effects of climate change and that are aligned with Metro’s plan to advance racial equity, diversity and inclusion will be given priority.

• Local Share funds for local park providers — $92 million for cities, counties and park providers to buy land, restore fish and wildlife habitat, and build and maintain parks in local communities.

• Walking and biking trails — $40 million to secure rights to build new trails and fill in missing sections in a regional plan for a network of walking and biking paths.

• Complex community projects — $50 million to address issues such as jobs, housing and transportation. For example, $20 million will help provide public access to Willamette Falls in downtown Oregon City.

The amount of money for Local Share funding is substantially higher in this round of the bond measure. Approximately $92 million will be distributed to local park providers on a per capita basis, which is more than twice as much as the $44 million allocated in the 2006 bond and nearly four times more than $25 million in Metro’s 1995 bond. Voters also approved local option levies to care for land also were approved in 2013 and 2016.

Improvements to Blue Lake Park and Oxbow Regional Park are intended to make them safer, more accessible and welcoming “especially for low-income families and communities of color,” according to the voter’s guide.

Metro’s Nature in the Neighborhood Community Grant funding will emphasize community-led projects benefiting historically marginalized communities. Given East Multnomah County’s diverse population, possible uses for these funds seem endless.

The program is intended to allow communities to meet local needs and seize new opportunities that may come up while Metro’s bond program is being implemented.

Those who can apply for funding include community groups, nonprofit organizations, schools, park providers, soil and water conservation districts, and others who are working on behalf of neighborhood projects that benefit people and nature.

Eligible projects need to protect and improve water quality/ fish and wildlife habitat, support climate resiliency and/or increase people’s experience of nature at the community scale. Projects also will be prioritized in terms of community engagement, racial equity and climate resiliency.