County Parks System Plan Public Advisory Committee

Agenda

Materials

Project Advisory Committee (PAC) Charter, January 2026

Project Purpose

Clackamas County is recognized for its diverse and exceptional natural landscapes, including rivers, forests, mountain foothills, and rural and urban park resources that serve residents and visitors alike. The County Parks System plays a critical role in providing recreational opportunities, conserving natural resources, supporting community health, and contributing to overall quality of life.

The Clackamas County Parks System Plan Update will provide a comprehensive framework to guide the planning, management, funding, and long-term stewardship of County-owned parks, trails, natural areas, and recreation facilities. The Plan will assess existing conditions, identify future needs and priorities, and establish policies and implementation strategies that reflect community values, operational realities, and fiscal constraints.

The updated Parks System Plan will inform County decision-making over the next 10–20 years and support coordinated investments that advance equitable access, environmental sustainability, operational efficiency, and community well-being.

Charge and Responsibilities

The Project Advisory Committee (PAC) will provide guidance, insight, and feedback throughout the development of the Clackamas County Parks System Plan Update. The PAC serves in an advisory capacity to County staff and the project team and helps ensure that the Plan reflects community priorities and practical considerations.

The PAC’s responsibilities include:

• Preparing for and participating in approximately four (4) meetings between January 2026 and December 2026.
• Reviewing and commenting on key technical work products.
• Providing feedback on system-wide priorities, evaluation criteria, and implementation strategies.
• Helping inform and shape public outreach and engagement efforts.
• Acting as liaisons to specific communities, interests, or stakeholder groups, as appropriate.
• Supporting public engagement activities, such as open houses, workshops, or surveys, as requested.
• Encouraging broad community participation in the planning process.
• Serving as ambassadors for the Parks System Plan and helping communicate its purpose and outcomes to the broader community.

Membership

The Project Advisory Committee will consist of 13 members appointed by Clackamas County to represent a broad range of perspectives, geographies, lived experiences, and interests related to parks, recreation, natural resources, and community services. PAC members include:

Decision-Making Process

The PAC will strive to reach consensus on recommendations whenever possible. Consensus is defined as a participatory decision-making process in which members work collaboratively toward solutions that all participants can support, accept, live with, or agree not to oppose.

Expectations for decision-making include:

• The facilitator and PAC members will work toward consensus on key recommendations.
• Silence will be interpreted as agreement or willingness to live with a recommendation.
• Once consensus is reached, decisions will not be revisited unless a majority of the PAC agrees that reconsideration is necessary.

If consensus cannot be achieved on a particular issue, differing viewpoints will be documented and conveyed to County staff and decision-makers along with any majority or minority perspectives.

Ground Rules for Meeting Conduct

PAC members agree to adhere to the following ground rules during meetings and related communications:

• Treat all participants with respect and professionalism at all times.
• Listen actively and seek to understand differing perspectives.
• Allow one person to speak at a time; avoid side conversations and disruptions.
• Raise concerns within the PAC forum so they can be addressed constructively.
• Refrain from personal attacks and maintain a respectful tone, even when disagreeing.
• Apply these ground rules to written communications, including emails and social media.
• Do not represent oneself as speaking on behalf of the PAC unless explicitly authorized.
• Members of the public may attend meetings as observers and provide public comment when opportunities are provided but may not participate in PAC deliberations.

Communication

If contacted by the media, PAC members agree to refer contacts for project information to Tom Riggs, Clackamas County Parks Manager, at triggs@clackamas.us. When speaking publicly, members agree to clearly represent their own opinion when communicating with the media and to not represent the opinions of the project or PAC.

Outside information to be shared with the entire PAC should be sent to Tom Riggs for distribution to the committee.