MT. TABOR PARK MASTER PLAN REPORT Portland Parks and Recreation
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MT. TABOR PARK MASTER PLAN REPORT Portland Parks and Recreation January 2000 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS The following people and organizations contributed to the development of the Mt. Tabor Park Master Plan: Portland Parks and Recreation Gregg Everhart George Lozovoy Zari Santner Cogan Owens Cogan Elaine Cogan Kirsten Greene Citizens Advisory Committee: Ray DeClark, Mt. Tabor Realty Lynn Bailey, Mt. Tabor Neighborhood Association Brian Bainnson, Center Neighborhood Association Ron Bates, Warner Pacific College Olivia Kulas, Sunnyside Neighborhood Association Sherman Coventry, Bicycle Coalition Chair Laura Gordon, Mt. Tabor Neighborhood Association Dana Harden, Mt. Tabor Presbyterian Church Paul Leistner, Mt. Tabor Neighborhood Association Gerard Lillie, Audubon Society Nancy Norby, PUP (People Using Parks) Diane Redd, Mt. Tabor Concerts Mt. Tabor Middle School* Lynn Ruark, Western Seminary Blanche Schroeder, Senior and Citizen at Large David Tucker, Montavilla Neighborhood Association Kelly Wellington, Tree Liaison & Richmond Neigh Pat Wisener, Mt. Tabor Neighborhood Association Parks Chair Paul Zenk, PDX Soap Box Derby Doug Zenn, Citizen at Large Design Team: Walker Macy - Landscape Architects Michael Zilis Kurt Lango Eric Shriner John Kyle Architects - Architects John Kyle Don Trotter KPFF Consulting Engineers - Civil, Structural, Geotechnical Engineers Bob Grummel Susan VanDyke Kittelson & Associates, Inc. - Transportation Engineers Beth Wemple Maurita Smyth - Environmental Assessment Robert Mazany & Associates - Arborist Raven Communications - Interpretation/Environmental Education Carolyn Shelton Center for Population Research & Census - Demographic Information George Hough * Tony Richardson resigned due to health reasons. Replacement not appointed at end. Front cover photo by Brad Yazzolino TABLE OF CONTENTS Introduction . 1 Executive Summary. 2 Process. 7 Existing Conditions Analysis . 9 Park Function Site Inventory Roadway Assessment Park User Survey Water Bureau Park Structures Access and Circulation Forest Health Wildlife Habitat Assessment Interpretive Opportunities Sieve Analysis Key Considerations and Program . 17 Access Environment Facilities Programs Vision and Goals . 21 Vision Statement Master Plan Goals Master Plan Alternatives. 25 Alternative One Alternative Two Alternative Three Preliminary Master Plan. 29 Final Master Plan. 31 Circulation Interpretive Opportunities Structures Amphitheater, Overlooks and Entry Gates Off-Leash Area Play Areas Parking Erosion and Drainage Costs, Priorities and Phasing . 39 Estimated Cost Phase One Priorities Appendix I . 43 A. Transportation Report B. Preliminary Vegetation Condition Review C. Wildlife & Habitat Baseline Report D. Interpretation and Environmental Education Report E. Facilities Report INTRODUCTION There seems to be every reason why a portion, at least, of Mount Tabor should be taken as a public park. It is the only important landscape feature for miles around, and the population in its vicinity is destined to be fairly dense. It is already a good deal resorted to by people for their Sunday and holiday outings, and it will be better known to and more visited by the citizens as time goes on. .There can be little doubt that public sentiment will cordially support the city government in acquiring considerable land on this prominent and beautiful hill (Olmsted Brothers "Report of the Park Board," 1903). At the recommendation of John Charles Olmsted and Frederick Law Olmsted, Jr., the City of Portland purchased the first of an eventual 196 acres of land on Mt. Tabor in 1929, creating one of the most popular and beautiful parks in the Portland metropolitan area. Mt. Tabor rises 300 feet to an elevation of 645 feet at its summit, affording dramatic views of its surrounding southeast neighborhood, downtown Portland and the Willamette Valley to the west, and Mt. Hood to the east. Pedestrian Path Mt. Tabor shares its origins with two other prominent East Portland buttes- Rocky Butte and Kelly Butte. The topography of Mt. Tabor consists of three peaks, a broad shallow valley on the western slope, a steep eastern slope, a small ravine in the northwest corner, and a volcanic cinder cone that forms the northern slope of that ravine. Because sedimentary gravels and sands from historic floods compose the majority of Mt. Tabor's mass, its volcanic origins were not uncovered until 1912, when the Portland Water Bureau began excavation for the open reservoirs that now grace its southern and western slopes1. The volcanic stones from these excavations can be found in the many walls constructed throughout the Park, and this discovery allows Portlanders to boast having the only volcano within the city limits of any other U.S. city besides Bend, Oregon. Located three miles east of the Willamette River in east Portland, Mt. Tabor is bordered by S.E. Yamhill Ave to the north, S.E. Mountain View Dr. to the east, S.E. Division Street to the south, and S.E. 60th Avenue to the west. Mt. Tabor acts as the dominant landmark for the Mt. Tabor, Center and South Tabor neighborhoods and for the Hawthorne district. One of the largest of the east Portland parks, Mt. Tabor Park is classified as a metropolitan park and attracts the City’s residents and regional visitors Volcanic Cinder Cone with its abundance of geological, ecological, historical and recreational resources. True to the sentiment expressed by the Olmsted brothers over 90 years ago, Portland's citizens continue to cherish Mt. Tabor Park, and have joined with Portland Parks and Recreation (PPR) through this master planning effort in ensuring its future over the next 20 years. 1Relining Reservoir Saves Precious Water. The Southeast Examiner, November 1998. Vol. 9, No. 10. 1 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Renovate: - amphitheater - picnic shelter - parking lot - restroom - play area New interpretive area Renovate restroom Upgrade play equipment Renovate entry Tennis New tot lot volleyball Tennis Forest restoration Renovate parking Renovate restroom New picnic tables New overlook Remove derby track Relocate compost area Renovate entry Trail improvements Portable restroom structure Erosion control Upgrade play equipment Plant restoration New picnic tables Figure 1 - Mt. Tabor Master Plan 2 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Mt. Tabor is an irreplaceable resource for the people of Portland. It acts as an oasis, a place of solitude, a place to be in a natural environment within an urban context. Its importance was first noted at the turn of the 20th century and that importance will grow even stronger during the 21st century as Portland becomes more densely populated. Mt. Tabor Park accommodates many levels of use and is seen differently by the variety of people who use it. It functions as a metropolitan park, accommodating citizens and visitors from the entire city. In doing so, it needs to be easily located and understood by those coming from other areas of Portland. It functions as a primary water reservoir for the city, thereby requiring special access, facilities, and management. It also functions as a neighborhood park for those who live adjacent to it. These are the people who know Mt. Tabor intimately and use it regularly. Their needs for access, use, and security are important to the daily functioning of the park. The Mt. Tabor Park Master Plan was developed through a meaningful and on-going public process that directed the formulation of the vision, goals, management strategies, and a physical plan. This plan directly embodies the community's vision for the next 20 years of the life of Mt. Tabor. The primary focus of the plan is to preserve and enhance the natural qualities of Mt. Tabor. The circulation systems, the recreational uses, and the facilities envisioned have been planned in balance with the environmental qualities of the park. It is intended that this document set the framework to guide decisions that provide balance between human and environmental needs and continually move the park towards the stated vision. Through on-going discussion between the City and its citizens, this plan can achieve its goal of ensuring that Mt. Tabor continues to be an irreplaceable resource for generations to come. 3 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Recreational Program The program for recreation at Mt. Tabor is intended to take advantage of the park’s unique natural features. It provides a mix of active and passive recreational opportunities in balance with the park's metropolitan classification, environmental requirements, its physical attributes, and its neighborhood setting. Program Elements Area Interpretation and Education • Trails • Sign systems • Interpretive area at Cinder Cone Enjoyment of Natural Environment • Trails • Overviews • Forest restoration Picnics • Group areas: Harrison St./69th St./Central Shelter • Individual picnic tables • Open lawn areas throughout Walking/Strolling/Jogging • Hierarchy of paths throughout Bicycle/Skateboard/Roller Blade • Hierarchy of paths and roads Viewing the City/Sunsets/Mt. Hood • View points at key areas Small Events and Celebrations • Amphitheater • Picnic shelters • Open lawn areas Summer Children's Program • Amphitheater area • Throughout the park Play Areas • Salmon Street tot lot • Main Play Area • Harrison St. • 69th Street Tennis • Near Reservoir #6 • Near 69th St. Entry Volleyball • Open lawn areas • Mountain View Avenue Frisbee, Croquet, etc. • Open lawn areas Recreational program elements not accommodated in the plan include: • Basketball • Soccer • Off-leash dog areas 4 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Facilities The plan