On June 6th, the community gathered to celebrate the opening of Curtin Creek Community Park, a project decades in the making. The park, located in Vancouver, Washington, was first envisioned in 1999 when the City of Vancouver and Clark County partnered to purchase the land. This new park is set to become a cornerstone for local families and sports enthusiasts, offering a variety of recreational facilities.

Features and Facilities

The park boasts the county’s first lighted multi-sport rugby field, a significant addition for local sports teams. It also includes inclusive play areas, water and sand play zones, a reservable picnic shelter, and trails with scenic views of the Gaddis Wetlands and Mount Hood. Sports facilities are further enhanced with four lighted pickleball courts and a basketball futsal court.

Community Involvement

The ribbon-cutting ceremony featured demonstrations by Vancouver West Soccer and the Clark County Rugby Club, showcasing the park’s potential as a hub for community sports. Local organizations such as Vancouver Fire and the Vancouver Audubon also participated, offering activities and a bird walk, respectively.

Speeches and Acknowledgments

Speeches from local leaders, including Repesan and Stephanie McClintock, Senator Adrian Cortez, and Clark County Council Chair Sue Marshall, highlighted the collaborative effort that brought the park to fruition. Chair Marshall emphasized the importance of parks in community development, stating, “This will be what makes our communities thrive.” Senator Cortez paid tribute to former parks advocate Florence Wager, acknowledging her role in the initial purchase of the property.

Funding and Development

The park’s development was funded through a combination of sources, including the Metropolitan Park District, Levy, REIT II, real estate excise taxes, and an $850,000 grant from Washington State’s Recreation and Conservation Office. The first phase of development, celebrated at the ribbon-cutting, marks a significant milestone in the park’s ongoing evolution.

Residents interested in learning more about the park or participating in future community input opportunities can follow Clark County Public Works on social media platforms like X, Facebook, and Instagram, or visit clarkcountytoday.com for updates.

Original reporting: Clark County Today (Vancouver WA) — read the source article.