23-Acre Teufel Site to be Future Park
In a recent news release, the Tualatin Hills Parks and Recreation District has announced their acquisition of a 23-acre property which is set to become a future park. For further details, the new release is below:
“Continuing to implement its 2008 voter-approved bond measure, the Tualatin Hills Park & Recreation District has purchased a 23-acre property in the Cedar Mill area for a future community park.
Separately, the Park District acquired a 0.76-acre vacant parcel in Cedar Mill to be used as a natural area. It will also help expand the local trail network.
The 23-acre acquisition was closed on April 29 after almost two years of negotiation with the former owner, Larry Teufel. The site is currently operated as a wholesale nursery by Teufel Holly Farms, Inc.
It will continue to be used that way and leased back to Teufel for the time being, according to terms of the sale.
The property is on the east side of NW Miller Road and north of Barnes Road. Purchase price was $8 million. THPRD had allocated $10 million in bond measure funds for acquisition of a community park in the Cedar Mill area.
The Park District has no immediate plans or funding to develop the property. No development will occur until an extensive public planning process has been completed.
THPRD General Manager Doug Menke believes the size, location and layout of the Teufel site are ideal for a future community park, which the Park District defines as 10-25 acres in size with an ample variety of amenities to serve residents.
‘When it’s developed, this will be a complete community park serving the Cedar Mill area including athletic fields, sport courts, open areas, play structures and picnic facilities with a natural area and trails near a stream,’ Menke said.
Teufel is happy to be able to sell the property for future park development.
‘This property has been in my family’s ownership since the late 1800s,’ he said. ‘It’s good to know that it will become a recreational asset for the entire community.’
The vacant 0.76-acre parcel, purchased from the Collins Living Trust, is adjacent to NW 114th Avenue and features mature trees and dense undergrowth. Sale price was $340,000. It is bounded by THPRD properties on the south and east (Foege Park).
Besides having value as a future natural area, the property will provide a trail connection to Foege Park. As part of its Timberland project, developer Polygon Northwest has built a nature trail near the newly purchased parcel. According to THPRD’s Planning Department, Polygon plans to donate the trail to the Park District to add to the Cedar Mill Community Trail. When funding becomes available, the trail will be continued through the new parcel to Foege Park.
THPRD’s bond measure funds are earmarked for land acquisition and dozens of improvement projects focused on parks, trails, natural area preservation, and athletic fields. The measure is also supporting expansions of the Elsie Stuhr Center and the Conestoga Recreation & Aquatic Center and replacement and rehabilitation of aging facilities.
THPRD has now acquired land for five new park and recreation sites as part of bond measure implementation.
Formed in 1955, THPRD is the largest special park district in Oregon, spanning about 50 square miles and serving more than 200,000 residents in the greater Beaverton area. The district provides year-round recreational and educational opportunities for people of all ages.
Offerings include a wide variety of classes and more than 200 park sites, 60 miles of trails, eight swim centers, six recreation centers, and 1,300 acres of natural areas. For more information, visit www.thprd.org or call 503-645-6433.”