Project Background
In November 2014, Portland City Council designated $300,000 from 2014’s fall supplemental budget for new master plans for eastside parks. In April 2015, PP&R, the East Portland Parks Committee, and Commissioner Amanda Fritz engaged the community in a public outreach process to determine which sites should be prioritized as part of the eastside park master planning process. Based on that process and PP&R staff input, Commissioner Fritz chose to fund a master plan for Mill Park and Midland Park, in a concurrent process, as requested by the Mill Park Neighborhood Association.
Overview
We worked with the community to create a master plan for two parks, Mill Park and Midland Park in Southeast Portland. The community was a key partner throughout the process. We created one plan for the two parks in a concurrent process due to their close proximity to each other. The master plan and preferred design is a general outline of what Mill Park could become as resources for development are available. Based on community ideas and feedback, the plan identified the primary uses and features and began to arrange these features within the park space. The Mill and Midland Park Master Plan was approved by Portland City Council on November 8, 2017. When funding becomes available, we will again work with the community to refine the Master Plan preferred design.
Midland Park Design Elements
Local neighborhood leader Jane Baker envisioned using this previously-overgrown vacant lot as a teaching tool for students in local schools. This living lab would allow students to learn how plants and animals live together in a natural habitat in an urban setting. The park’s location adjacent to Midland Library is complementary to this vision of an instrument for education. The site has many trees, thus offers potential for increased habitat enhancement.
Elements in the preferred design:
- Playground with natural play features
- Reading area near library windows
- Gathering area and game tables
- Paved pathway with benches
- Native landscaping with nature trails
Midland Park Preferred Design Plan
Related Projects at Midland Park
Portland Parks & Recreation is creating a nature patch at Midland Park to foster habitat for wildlife, add fun features for you to explore, and improve safety and accessibility.
Master Planning Resources
Community Representative Committee
Public Meetings
Combined Master Plans
View the combined Master Plans of the Mill and Midland Park project.
Project Schedule
- December 2015 - RFP for park master planning is issued
- March 2016 - Hire design team
- March 2016 – April 2017 - Complete planning and public involvement process
- Fall 2016 - Site Analysis
- Winter 2017 - Draft of Master Plan Alternatives
- Spring 2017 - Preferred Master Plan Alternative