Sunrise Corridor Newsletter - April 2026

• Your Sunrise Story
• From Vision to Action: Strengthening the Workforce Pipeline in the Sunrise Corridor 
• Youth Training Pilot Aims to Build Next Generation of Sunrise Leaders
• Sunrise Community Visioning Project Earns 2026 WTS Innovation Award
• Sunrise Corridor Vision Takes Root
• Riverside Park Project Moves Forward in Community Choice Grants Process
• New Sculpture Coming Soon to Celebrate Cultural Heritage Along the Clackamas River
• In the Field: Planning the Future Look of the Sunrise Corridor

Your Sunrise Story

Meet Our Sunrise Volunteers: Ryan Hassan

Volunteer Information

Name: Ryan Hassan

Role in the Sunrise Community Coalition project: Volunteer with the Sunrise Coalition Leadership Group

Your Sunrise Story

1. What is your connection to the Sunrise Corridor community (Example: resident, business owner, community organization, etc.)?
   I live by Clackamas High School just north of the corridor. My daughter and I go to a Jiu-Jitsu gym in the corridor and kayak on the Clackamas, and we frequently visit Carver Park and Riverside Park.
2. Why did you decide to volunteer for the Sunrise Corridor Visioning process?
   I want to help make the world I want my daughter to live in. I want to see more livable communities with affordable housing, accessible healthcare, convenient road infrastructure, and a thoughtfully built environment that harmonizes with the area's natural beauty.
3. Which of the Vision Plan’s priorities (transportation; jobs and economy; neighborhood and places; and open space, public health, and environment) are you most excited about, and why?
   As a pediatrician, father, and outdoor enthusiast, I am most excited about creating open natural spaces, promoting public health, and protecting the environment. I also would love to see more homes built in the area so we can make housing affordable and accessible again, as too many Oregonians are paying too much for housing or are unable to afford a home at all.
4. What do you hope this project will bring to your community in the future?
   I’d like to see improvements to Riverside Park and the development and protection of other natural areas throughout the corridor, hopefully with running and biking trails for the community. I’d also like to see a large amount of high-quality, affordable housing communities to house our unsheltered and at-risk neighbors.
5. What’s something you’ve learned or enjoyed most while being part of this volunteer group?
   I’m brand new to the group, so I still have much to learn. So far, I’ve enjoyed learning about the work that’s been done and the plans for the future, particularly the various design considerations when planning wayfinding signs.

Wildcard Question (choose one and answer below)

If you could fast-forward 10 years, what would you love to see in the Sunrise Corridor?

I’d like to see hundreds of high-quality, affordable homes in the area, more extensive, connected multi-use paths where I could bike, more developed natural areas and nature parks, and improved river access, especially around Riverfront Park. I’d like to see summer celebrations at the park and in the water.

Anything else you’d like to share?

Our country and our community can and should be so much more than they are. We have the resources and knowledge to create neighborhoods that people want to live in and can afford, with protected natural areas on our doorsteps that we can connect with. All we need is to build the future we want.

From Vision to Action: Strengthening the Workforce Pipeline in the Sunrise Corridor

Born out of a shared vision to shape the future of the Sunrise Corridor, the Sunrise Community Coalition brings together public agencies, educators, businesses, and community partners to turn big ideas into real, on-the-ground investments. After several years of community visioning and planning, that work is now taking shape, most recently through two new workforce development projects designed to strengthen connections between local students, educators, and employers.

The first project, led by WBTO in partnership with the Sabin Schellenberg Professional Technical Center, focuses on strengthening alignment between high school manufacturing programs and local industry needs. Through employer outreach, instructor site visits, and the creation of 10 student internships, WBTO and Sabin Schellenberg are working together to build stronger, more direct pathways from the classroom to careers. The project will also support the development of a 5–10-year vision for advanced manufacturing education, including curriculum updates, equipment needs, and ongoing industry engagement.

 “This partnership with WBTO brings industry and education together and gives our students meaningful, hands-on experiences while ensuring our programs stay aligned with what local employers need,” said Ajai Huja, Principal at Sabin Schellenberger. “It is an important step in preparing students for high-demand careers right here in our community.”

Complementing this effort, Clackamas Workforce Partnership will lead a second project to expand internship opportunities and workforce connections for local youth. The initiative includes outreach to 20–25 businesses, hands-on support to help employers develop internship programs, and placement of youth into paid work experiences. Workshops and networking opportunities will also bring together educators, career coaches, and employers to strengthen awareness of Sunrise Corridor industries.

“By supporting businesses and young people at the same time, we are building a stronger, more connected workforce system that benefits the entire region,” said Amy Black, director of Youth Programs at Clackamas Workforce Partnership.

Together, these projects advance priorities identified in the Sunrise Corridor Community Vision Plan, particularly around workforce development and industry-education alignment.

“These investments are about creating real opportunities by connecting students to careers,” said Adam Torres, Clackamas County staff and Sunrise Community Coalition project manager. “This work will support local businesses by starting to build a workforce pipeline that will sustain the Sunrise Corridor for years to come.”

Both projects will run through 2026 and are funded through Oregon Legislature’s HB 5006 (2021), marking an important step from vision to implementation in the Sunrise Corridor.

Youth Training Pilot Aims to Build Next Generation of Sunrise Leaders

A new youth training program in the Sunrise Corridor is giving local students the tools to speak up, get involved, and help shape their community.

The Sunrise Community Coalition, in partnership with Clackamas County’s Department of Transportation and Development, has launched a pilot Youth Training and Civic Engagement program designed to build a cohort of informed, confident young leaders. The effort is part of the broader Sunrise Corridor Community Vision Plan, which focuses on creating safer, more equitable, and more connected communities.

Led by Clackamas County and developed in collaboration with the Happy Valley Youth Council, a private consultant, and coalition partners, the program will bring together a small group of youth for hands-on public service learning experiences this spring and summer.

Participants will take part in a three-part workshop series focused on practical civic skills, including how to testify at public meetings, write effective letters to decision-makers, and track local issues. The training emphasizes real-world application, connecting youth directly to active Sunrise projects and decision-making processes.

Beyond the classroom, participants will have the opportunity to apply what they learn by engaging in public civic activities, such as offering public testimony or contributing to public meetings. Youth will also help tell the story of their lived experience through short videos or written pieces. 

The pilot is designed not only to support this initial group of participants but also to create a reusable curriculum that can be expanded to ensure these opportunities continue for future cohorts. Through this approach, individual learning becomes a lasting model for youth engagement. 

By investing in youth leadership today, the Sunrise Community Coalition is building a pipeline of informed, engaged leaders who will shape the future of their communities.

Sunrise Community Visioning Project Earns 2026 WTS Innovation Award

The Sunrise Community Visioning project has been recognized with a 2026 Innovative Transportation Solutions award from the WTS Portland Chapter, honoring both the project’s community-driven approach and the leadership of Clackamas County Department of Transportation and Development, Regional Transportation and Land Use Policy Manager Jamie Stasny.

Led by Clackamas County, in partnership with the City of Happy Valley, Metro, and ODOT, the visioning effort was designed to align future transportation investments in the Sunrise Corridor with the priorities of the people who live and work there. Through robust outreach and engagement from 2023 through 2025, the project brought together residents, businesses, and public partners to identify shared goals around mobility, safety, and economic opportunity. By establishing a clear and inclusive vision upfront, the project created a roadmap that continues to shape decision-making across the corridor.

This visioning work laid the foundation for the implementation phase now underway, where the Sunrise Community Coalition and other community partners are advancing both near-term improvements and long-range strategies guided by the community’s input. Some of these projects include:

• Tree plantings throughout the corridor help increase shade, improve air quality, and create more welcoming spaces. In early 2026, the Coalition partnered with Friends of Trees to plant 19 large trees and more than 1,000 shrubs at Windswept Waters, Veterans Village, and Riverside Park.
• The Coalition is co-creating industry-higher education workforce development projects impacting the Sunrise Corridor over the next year. This project is in collaboration with higher education institutions, community-based organizations, and businesses within the corridor.
• The Coalition is creating wayfinding signs to mark key points and help people navigate the Sunrise Corridor and supporting the Clackamas River Basin Council with a new sculpture at Riverside Park by local artist Bobby Mercier, a member of the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde.
• In partnership with the Happy Valley Youth Council, the Coalition is launching a hands-on youth program where students learn how to give testimony in public hearings and write letters of support for issues that matter most to them.

Under Stasny’s leadership, the team successfully navigated complex challenges, including coordinating across jurisdictions and building trust among stakeholders with diverse perspectives. Her emphasis on transparency and meaningful engagement helped ensure the final vision reflected the community it serves.

Members of the Sunrise Corridor Community Visioning project team attended the award ceremony on April 22, joining regional leaders to celebrate innovation in transportation. The recognition highlights the power of community-centered planning and the impact of strong women leaders in bringing that vision to life.

Sunrise Corridor Vision Takes Root

Rain did not stop progress in the Sunrise Corridor.

Volunteers with the Sunrise Community Coalition partnered with Friends of Trees to plant 19 large trees and more than 1,000 shrubs at Windswept Waters, Veterans Village, and Riverside Park. By the end of the day, new vine maples, ponderosa pines, red alders, river birch, and white oaks were rooted in the ground, strengthening shade coverage and investing in the long-term health of the community.

This effort is part of the broader Sunrise Corridor initiative, a long-term effort to guide growth in one of the fastest-growing areas of Clackamas County. The corridor is home to 7,600 residents, 700 businesses, and more than 14,000 employees. Highway 212 runs through the area and serves as one of the busiest east-west freight routes in the state, connecting communities including Happy Valley and Estacada.

More than 1,500 community members helped shape the Sunrise Corridor Community Vision Plan, which was formally accepted in 2025 by the City of Happy Valley and by Clackamas County’s Board of Commissioners. The plan outlines a path forward focused on community improvements, economic vitality, strong neighborhoods, and increased access to open space and nature.

The recent tree planting directly advances the Open Space, Public Health, and Environment priority identified in the Vision Plan. Expanding tree canopy helps reduce summer heat, improve air quality, support habitat, and create more welcoming public spaces. It also reflects the community’s desire for more green space and improved access to the Clackamas River and surrounding natural areas.

Now that the Vision Plan has been accepted, implementation is underway. The Sunrise Community Coalition is working with residents and businesses to prioritize projects that reflect community input, including safer streets, better walking and biking connections, stronger support for local businesses, and expanded green space.

Despite challenging weather, volunteers showed up to turn vision into action. Their work is one example of how community ideas are becoming real improvements on the ground.

To learn more about the Sunrise Corridor and to sign up for updates about future volunteer opportunities, visit clackamas.us/sunrise. 

Riverside Park Project Moves Forward in Community Choice Grants Process

A chance to shape the future of local parks is here, and the Sunrise Corridor has a meaningful project in the mix.

Metro’s Nature in Neighborhoods Community Choice Grants program is moving into its next phase, where community ideas begin turning into real, on-the-ground investments. Across Clackamas County, millions of dollars will fund projects that bring people closer to nature, restore habitat, and help neighborhoods better weather a changing climate.

In the Sunrise Corridor, one proposal stands out: Adaptive River Access at Riverside Park. This project would open up the Clackamas River in new ways, creating safer, more inclusive access so people of all abilities can experience the water, whether that’s dipping a toe in on a hot day or simply enjoying the river’s edge.

Over the past several months, community members have rolled up their sleeves in workshops and design sessions to shape these ideas. Now, that work is paying off. A slate of potential projects is ready, and the decision is shifting back to the community.

Voting opened on April 20, giving community residents the opportunity to help decide what gets built. Every vote is a chance to bring a project to life. The voting process ends on June 15. 

We encourage you to explore the options and consider supporting the Riverside Park adaptive access project. With enough community support, this vision could become a welcoming, lasting addition to the Sunrise Corridor.

Learn more about these grants and vote for projects online. For any questions, reach out to communityinvestments@oregonmetro.gov

New Sculpture Coming Soon to Celebrate Cultural Heritage Along the Clackamas River

A new cultural art installation is coming to Riverside Park along the Clackamas River. The “Headman” sculpture, created in partnership with the Clackamas River Basin Council and artist Bobby Mercier of the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde, honors the river's cultural and ecological history and its Indigenous leadership.

Installation is expected soon, pending final permits. Clackamas County and the Sunrise Community Coalition are supporting the effort by covering permitting and installation costs.

A public ribbon-cutting and installation event will follow. Details and timing will be shared by email once confirmed.

In the Field: Planning the Future Look of the Sunrise Corridor

Sunrise Community Coalition staff, Clackamas County officials, and Sea Reach Ltd. recently toured the Sunrise Corridor to evaluate potential locations for new signage for the Clackamas Industrial Shuttle and for wayfinding signage directing road users, bicyclists, and pedestrians to Riverside Park. The effort builds on the 2025 Sunrise Corridor Community Vision Plan, which identified priorities like stronger neighborhood identity, improved access to the Clackamas River and Riverside Park, and safer travel for all users. Sea Reach has begun designing a coordinated set of wayfinding and placemaking signs to help guide visitors and create a more cohesive sense of place along the corridor. Be on the lookout for signage that will add a new sense of identity and discovery to the Sunrise area, or reach out to Adam Torres (atorres@clackamas.us) if you wish to learn more about this project