Concord Property Project

A NEW PARK IN OAK LODGE

NCPRD is currently designing a new park on the Concord Property in Oak Lodge. The nearly 2-acre park will be situated alongside the historic Concord Elementary School building and new Oak Lodge Library, and will provide opportunities for inclusive recreation and connections to nature. To get involved, sign up for email updates below, and check back for public engagement opportunities in spring 2023.

PROJECT SCHEDULE
Download PDF Schedule here.

PROJECT BACKGROUND

In March 2018, NCPRD took ownership of Concord Elementary School in Oak Grove as part of a Strategic Partnership with North Clackamas School District. The Concord School was acquired to revitalize the vacant building and surrounding open space for public use, and to bring new amenities and recreational opportunities to residents in Oak Lodge and throughout the District.

With input from over 1,300 community members, and in coordination with Clackamas County and consultants, the Master Plan was developed in 2019-2020 for the Concord Property and its future use. The NCPRD Board and Board of County Commissioners adopted the Master Plan in January 2021. The site will be the location of a new park and community center, and the New Oak Lodge Library. Click the dropdown buttons below for more detail on each.

NCPRD is moving forward with design and engineering for the development of a new park on the Concord Property. Park features include a nature-based playscape, a multi-use playfield, picnic areas, walking paths, benches, and plaza for performances and programming. An inclusive playground will be designed and built in a future phase when additional funding is available.

The school building is being preserved for public use as a community center. NCPRD is designing important upgrades to the building for safety and accessibility, including a new roof, HVAC system, and ADA compliance upgrades. Already serving the community, NCPRD is currently using the facility in a limited capacity for youth and adult recreational programs. Future facility enhancements and upgrades, as proposed in the Master Plan, will require additional funding, such as a general obligation bond.

The new Oak Lodge Library, operated by Clackamas County, will be located at the Concord Property as a separate building adjacent to the historic school building. The library building is in the process of being designed, and construction has not yet been scheduled. Learn more.

PROJECT HISTORY

March 2018 North Clackamas Parks and Recreation District (NCPRD) becomes the owner of Concord Elementary School in Oak Grove as part of a Strategic Partnership with North Clackamas School District
November 2019 Clackamas County and the City of Gladstone formalize an intergovernmental agreement for construction and operation of the library.
2019-2021 Task forces and project team conduct extensive community outreach to develop master plans for Concord property, including park, community center, and library.
May 2022 Board of County Commissioners delays construction on the library based on significant construction cost escalations and funding uncertainties. The Concord Property Task Force and NCPRD Advisory Committee both recommend pausing on completing extensive upgrades to the community center due to lack of funding, but to proceed with the park design and construction.
October 2022 Board of County Commissioners approves the use of up to $9 million of ARPA funds for construction of the Oak Lodge Library.
January 2023 NCPRD Advisory Committee recommends the park on the Concord Property as the first NCPRD project to receive Metro 2019 Local Share.
March 2023 Project team conducts public engagement to share park design with the community.


DOCUMENTS

TASK FORCE

The Concord Property and Library Task Force worked with county staff and advised the Board of County Commissioners and NCPRD Board on the creation of a Master Plan for the uses of the Concord Property, including the park, community center, and library. Task force members are community residents with an interest or expertise in historic preservation, parks, sports, libraries, and other relevant topics. See past meetings and minutes. 

STAY INFORMED

Get the latest on the Concord Property Project

CONTACT

Alex Gilberston
Principal Planner
agilbertson@ncprd.com