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New NCPRD parks project breaks ground at Jennings Lodge

New NCPRD parks project breaks ground at Jennings Lodge

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Earlier today, elected officials from the North Clackamas Parks and Recreation District (NCPRD), Metro, and the Oregon City School District (OCSD) came together to celebrate the groundbreaking of a new park in the Jennings Lodge area. 

The new neighborhood park will be located in the field area of the Jennings Lodge Campus at 18521 SE River Road in Jennings Lodge. 

NCPRD and OCSD are cooperatively planning this exciting new park that will connect the community with nature and provide accessible play opportunities for all. Once completed, this new neighborhood park will provide recreational opportunities and amenities to the community, including:

  • an expansive tree canopy, creating an urban oasis
  • a meadow and low woodland areas with native plants and occasional wildlife
  • a network of shady, winding pathways dotted with comfortable benches to sit and rest, and
  • two nature-inspired playgrounds where kids of all ages and diverse abilities can climb, swing, spin, and balance

The small, fenced play area that will be used by OCSD for preschoolers during school hours will be available for community use during evening and weekend hours. The larger play area will be available for community use during all park operating hours.

Construction is expected to begin in fall 2026. The future park has not been officially named. A public naming process will be undertaken after construction has started and will conclude before the park is opened. For now, the project is simply known as "the park at the Jennings Lodge Campus."

"Soon, this empty field will be transformed into a vibrant park with shady, tree-lined pathways, comfortable places to sit and rest, and opportunities for people of all ages to enjoy the outdoors," stated NCPRD Director and Clackamas County Commissioner Paul Savas (the Board of County Commissioners also serves as the NCPRD Board of Directors). 

Project Funding/Partnership

NCPRD has been awarded the following grants to support the development of the park:

  • $1,000,000: 'Nature in Neighborhoods' Capital Grant from Metro
  • $1,088,386: Local Share Fund Allocations from Metro
  • $140,000: Community Green Infrastructure Grant from the Department of Land Conservation and Development (DLCD)  

The total funding awarded adds up to $2.23 million, covering 77% of the $2.8 million project cost. The remaining gap will be filled by NCPRD System Development Charges. 

This project is a partnership between NCPRD and OCSD. OCSD includes Oregon City Community Education (OCCE), which operates preschool early learning, camps and programs at the Jennings Lodge Campus. 

The project design was completed by Mackenzie, with JLA Public Involvement supporting the community engagement process as a subcontractor to Mackenzie.

Ceremonial shovels stand in a mound of dirt in front of a project sign during the Sept. 10, 2026 groundbreaking for the new park at the Jennings Lodge Campus.
Community leaders, elected officials and guests listen to speakers during the Sept. 10, 2026 groundbreaking for the new park at the Jennings Lodge Campus.
Clackamas County/North Clackamas Parks and Recreation Administrator Gary Schmidt speaks at a lectern during the Sept. 10, 2026 groundbreaking for the new park at the Jennings Lodge Campus, with local leaders seated behind him.
County Commissioner/NCPRD Board Director Paul Savas speaks at a lectern during the Sept. 10, 2026 groundbreaking for the new park at the Jennings Lodge Campus.
Metro Councilor Christine Lewis speaks at a lectern during the Sept. 10, 2026 groundbreaking for the new park at the Jennings Lodge Campus.
Oregon City School Board Chair Katie Wilson speaks at a lectern during the Sept. 10, 2026 groundbreaking for the new park at the Jennings Lodge Campus.
NCPRD District Advisory Board Member Linda Neumann speaks at a lectern during the Sept. 10, 2026 groundbreaking for the new park at the Jennings Lodge Campus.
Officials and community partners toss ceremonial shovels of dirt during the Sept. 10, 2026 groundbreaking for the new park at the Jennings Lodge Campus, with the project sign visible behind them.
Clackamas County Commissioner/NCPRD Board Director Diana Helm and Gary Schmidt stand together during the Sept. 10, 2026 groundbreaking for the new park at the Jennings Lodge Campus.
Clackamas Commissioner/NCPRD Board Member Martha Schrader stands in front of the project sign during the Sept. 10, 2026 groundbreaking for the new park at the Jennings Lodge Campus.