August 2016
Chairman’s Column
Toraj Khavari
There are
three lessons, rather principals, I have learned during the last 4
years while leading the grassroots organization Friends of Bull Mountain Park.
Let us explore them together.
“Unity is a force multiplier.”
Working together toward common goals brought us this far. The Friends of Bull
Mountain Park, business partners, professional services, and volunteers have
achieved significant goals and milestones. More than 60 projects have
been completed since the park dedication, June 21, 2012. Friends
of Bull Mountain Park has been working with City Of Tigard, Tigard Park and
Recreation Advisory Board, and local communities since 2012. Through
numerous public meetings with City of Tigard, Lango Hansen and Friends of Bull
Mountain Park, ideas of neighbors and local citizens about park development
have been received and considered. Lango Hansen Landscape Architect
Company worked with City Of Tigard, Tigard Park and Recreation Advisory Board,
Friends of Bull Mountain Park, and local communities during the concept design,
2013, and Nature Play, Picnic Shelter, and ADA Trails design, 2016. Multiple
public meetings engaged all parties to influence the designs and discuss
features.
In addition to design public meetings and work events,
Friends of Bull Mountain Park is holding six “Picnic in the Park” events with
entertainment. The “Picnic in the Park” events are directed to continue
educating the communities while engaging the attendees in Nature play and
healthy activities.
- Metro NIN 2015 Grant is approved and ready for spending.
- City Of Tigard Capital Improvement Plan is ready.
- The Friends of Bull Mountain Park contracts with major partners are executed.
- The Request For Quote Construction is public, permits are in process, and looking forward to starting the Picnic Shelter, Nature Play and ADA Trails construction.
“Word and deed are a powerful combination.” Visions,
dreams, goals, and a beautiful park in the neighborhood will come to
be reality, with deeds and actions. Thousands of in-kind dollars and
volunteerism with minimum expenses have brought the park to today’s status and
accommodations. As you visit and walk through the park, as you go through
the trails, as you see the picnic tables, benches, signs, etc. every amenity
that you see has been groomed, touched, and cared for by volunteers. There are
so many stories in this park bringing neighbors, nature, and education together
that we've filled up literally 30 newsletters with stories since November of 2012.
“Faithfulness is usually underrated.”
The Bull Mountain Park’s projects require $29,000 additional funds during
2016. If you are waiting, sitting on the fence to get involved,
I encourage you to live for a purpose, leave a legacy, and support the well-needed
Park development. I truly believe “More is given to those trusted with some.”
“Faithfulness is usually underrated.”
The Bull Mountain Park’s projects require $29,000 additional funds during
2016. If you are waiting, sitting on the fence to get involved,
I encourage you to live for a purpose, leave a legacy, and support the well-needed
Park development. I truly believe “More is given to those trusted with some.”
It is a privilege to be part of this amazing
organization. Your involvement and support are needed
and appreciated. See you in the park and
look forward to your involvement.
The above quotes are from
Kevin Palau, CEO and President of Louis Palau Association, Author of
“Unlikely.”
Groundbreaking Ceremony at Bull Mountain Park
By Virginia Hall
With much anticipation and years in the making, the Bull Mountain Park is another step closer to becoming a reality. On June 24, 2016, in the quiet, secluded, wooded area tucked in on Bull Mountain, the Friends of Bull Mountain Park celebrated the groundbreaking of Tigard’s first Nature Play Park at 13950 SW Alpine Crest Way. The park swathed in wildflowers with a summer drizzle and flanked by enormous climbing logs, the groundbreaking ceremony commenced with donors, officials from the City of Tigard and Metro, FBMP Board Members, and neighbors for the Golden Shovel event.
Metro Councilor Dirksen
Appreciation Presentations done by Irene
Khavari and Linda Shaw
Former
Tigard Mayor, Craig Dirksen, current Metro Councilor, spoke to when the park
first came into existence. “When I joined the Tigard City Council (in 2001),
the city of Tigard had 288 acres of parks and open space, and our population
was growing literally by hundreds every six months,” Dirksen stated, “I'm very
proud to say that by the time I left office at the end of 2012, we had 560
acres of parks and open space in Tigard, and increase 288 acres.”
City of
Tigard Parks and Recreation,
Steve Martin
and Greg Stout
Tigard
City Council President Jason Snider applauded the work done by the Friends of
Bull Mountain Park. Snider said, “On one hand, we are here to celebrate Bull
Mountain Park, and on another hand, we are here to celebrate each other and
what you guys (Khavari and volunteers) have all accomplished, and what we have
been able to accomplish together.
Brooks Ostendorf
Jason Snider and major donors.
Linda Shaw
with the Bull Mountain Park Picnic Blanket
From Left: Tigard City Council President Jason Snider,
Friends of Bull Mountain Park CEO and President Toraj Khavari,
and Metro Councilor Dirksen,
References and more reading:
1- Golden shovel ceremony held at Bull Mountain Park - http://pamplinmedia.com/ttt/89-news/312797-190963-golden-shovel-ceremony-held-at-bull-mountain-park
2- Park becomes
reality with help from a few friends
Gaarde Connection
By Toraj Khavari
The
following design constraints were considered during the design and
construction.
Metro / Clean Water
Services:
·
Approval
processes.
·
Traverses
Clean Water Services “Goal 5” moderate to high value wetland area (seasonal
stream) and designated vegetative corridor.
·
Trail
is soft-surface, maximum of 3’ wide
·
Water
crossing features:
o
Structure
1-3’ above grade
o
20-40’
of elevated (1’ above grade) causeway east and west of crossing
§
(NOTE:
similar to what is found today on Pathfinder Trail)
o
10’
long bridge with hand rail to cross a 4’ wide, 2.5’ deep stream
o
Base
of bridge is 1’ above top stream bank
·
Environment
Mitigation and Stream Rehabilitation: significant amounts of trash along stream
to be removed, invasive species removal (e.g.: Himalayan blackberry, English
ivy, holly) and replanting with native species (e.g.: salmonberry, hardwood)
throughout site.
Come Grow with Us……….Naturally
By Sarah Soper
Checks made payable
to: Tualatin River Watershed Council
Check Memo line: Friends of Bull Mountain Park Project or FBMP Project
Send to:
April Olbrich
Friends of Bull Mountain Park (FBMP) Projects
Tualatin River Watershed Council (TRWC)
PO Box 338
Hillsboro OR 97123-0338
Project Updates
By Sarah Soper
We are as busy as ever now with the main projects of the park, including the picnic shelter, nature play and ADA trails. Current activities include finalization of the park design, submittal of an amendment to NIN Metro Grant and other grants, and bid requests to contractors. Plus, we are working with the City of Tigard to start the preconstruction process, including submitting all necessary permit applications. The window of opportunity before the rainy season is closing fast, but we are hoping to start construction in the fall. There are so many variables at this point, but we remain optimistic.
Donors
Major
Underwriter and Grants
• Metro Nature in Neighborhood
• City of Tigard Capital Improvement Plan
Donors and
Sponsors
• Tigard Noon Rotary (Legacy Donor)
• Bonnie G. Conger (Legacy Donor)
• Anonymous (One family, Visionary Donor)
• Austin Industries, Scott & Loni Parrish
(Visionary Donor)
• Mr. Tree (Visionary Donor)
• Ken & Joan Austin (Patron Donor)
• Mike & Cheryl Druding (Patron Donor)
• Jake Egger (Patron Donor)
• Greatbatch Inc. (Patron Donor)
• Paul & Sarah Messenger (Patron Donor)
• James & Lorraine Clauss (Patron Donor)
• Robert & Sarah Soper (Patron Donor)
• Irene M. Khavari, Sunstone Distributors (Patron
Donor)
• Renee M. Johnson (Patron Donor)
• Synopsys (Patron Donor)
Corporate
Donors
• Dan Muro of RE/MAX
• JAE Oregon, Inc.
• John and Steve Barker/Barker Construction
• M. Crew - Enrique Marguez
• Parr Lumber
• Pacific West Roofing, Stan Robinson
• Right Angle Digital Print & Supply Inc.
• The CarMax Foundation
• Tigard Burgerville
• Tigard Sherwin-Williams, Nate McNeely
• UBS
• Northwest Playground Eq. Inc., James
Wellington
• Washington Square Dental, Dr. Rashidi
• Broadway Rose, Sharon & Dan Maroney
• Right Angle Digital Print & Supply Inc.
• Cruise In Country Dinner, Terry & Nancy
Hummel
• Trees Restaurant, Shannon Johnson &
Ashlie Elstad,
• Dr. Timothy Hubbard D.C., Sherwood
Chiropractic
• Catrick Cleaners
Checks made payable
to: Tualatin River Watershed Council
Check Memo line: Friends of Bull Mountain Park Project or FBMP Project
Send to:
April Olbrich
Friends of Bull Mountain Park (FBMP) Projects
Tualatin River Watershed Council (TRWC)
PO Box 338
Hillsboro OR 97123-0338
Toraj Khavari and Mayor Cook
For
more details about the FBMP’s projects and BMP concept plan refer to the
following documents.
FBMP Nature Play
Projects Information - https://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/FEBMP/files/Nature%20Play%20Projects%20Information/
FBMP Contacts
Newsletter Editor: Sarah
Soper snsoper@mac.com
FBMP Meetings
Please mark your calendars and join us.
Time and Dates: 7 PM to 8:30 PM, Thursday October 27, 2016.
Where: Fire Station #50, located at 12617 SW Walnut St. Tigard OR,
97223
Bull Mountain Park
The BMP soft trails start at multiple (6) entrances: SW Greenfield
Drive, SW Benchview Place, SW Woodshire, SW Alpine Crest Way, SW Fernridge
Terrace, and SW Ridgefield Ln.
Come and enjoy the park, be active, be healthy, and be green. Bull
Mountain Park area photo and trail maps:
Connect with the FRIENDS of BMP at the following sites:
Park Security - http://groups.yahoo.com/group/EBMPNWC/
Park Address - 13950 SW Alpine Crest Way, Tigard, Oregon 97223
