Director Report
April 1 - 30, 2025
Lake Oswego Parks & Recreation's mission is to Build Community, Enrich Lives, and Care for the Urban and Natural Environment. This report is a look back and summary of operations supporting our mission and promise of excellent services to the people of Lake Oswego.
Ribbon Cutting Welcomes Thousands as LORAC & Golf Course Begin New Chapter
The Lake Oswego Recreation and Aquatics Center (LORAC) officially opened to the public on April 27 with the launch of Sectors B and C, which include the fitness center, gymnasium, locker rooms, and community spaces. The ribbon cutting ceremony, held on April 26, drew more than 1,500 attendees to celebrate this milestone partnership between the City of Lake Oswego and the Lake Oswego School District. In the week leading up to the ribbon cutting, Parks & Recreation hosted a series of pre-membership launch parties, offering early supporters and residents a first look at the state-of-the-art amenities and upcoming programs. In addition, City staff moved into the facility, finalized operational logistics, and prepared workspaces and equipment. Training programs ensured all team members were ready to deliver safe, efficient, high-quality recreation services from day one. In tandem with the facility opening, the Lake Oswego Public Golf Course also reopened, offering another vibrant and revitalized recreational space for the community to enjoy.
Adult Community Center
DYING TO SERVE:
Doug Ruch from Texas has a terminal illness and is determined to volunteer in every state He chose to serve meals at the ACC at his stop in Oregon. Below is a link to an article KOIN posted.
https://wwwkoincom/news/findinghope/dying-to-serve-texas-man-on-finalmission-to-give-back-in-all-50-states-makesoregon-stop/
LORAC RIBBON CUTTING:
The ACC had a presence at the LORAC tours & ribbon cutting. We received many comments that people had not been to the ACC since we renovated We encouraged them to come on down and see our beautiful building
PROGRAMS:
Ping Pong remains a hit, we had grandkids participate with their grandparents. We hosted the “Repair Fair.”
Our spring luncheon was a big success with almost 60 guests and a harpist
Our dining room service was audited by the Aging Service Advisory Council and we passed with flying colors.
Walls that Speak: Murals and Street Art as Voices of Social Change (Senior Scholar Program in Partnership with LO Library) There were roughly 80 people in attendance
TRANSPORTATION:
There has been such a demand for our trips to the food pantry, our transportation team had to coordinate a system Their new system allowed for more participants and now they accommodate 24 individuals a month. That was a 50% increase in the number of people we can serve.
Our new van is wrapped, celebrating LO being a pollinator city
What to Look for When Hiring Contractors Class, with LOPRs very own expert Bruce Powers and 25 people in attendance!
Also, a chocolate tour at Creo Chocolate in Portland.
Recreation & Aquatic Management
The LORAC hosted exclusive membership tours for early members prior to our official opening. These tours took place on Tuesday, April 22; Wednesday, April 23; and Thursday, April 24. We had 1300 individuals registered for the tours, and we estimate that the majority of them attended
On Saturday, April 26, we held the official ribbon-cutting ceremony for the LORAC. We were thrilled with the turnout, as we estimate that over 1500 + people visited the facility throughout the day
The LORAC officially opened its doors to the public on Sunday, April 27 for access to the dry side of the building and we estimate another three to five hundred people did the tour We are currently targeting May for the opening of the pools, at which point the entire facility will be fully operational.
In addition, the ORPA Aquatics Section which I currently serve as President successfully hosted its first-ever Lifeguard Summit Designed for management-level staff, the event drew 62 registered participants, with 60 attending in person. The summit was a resounding success, and we are already planning to host another next year, potentially at the LORAC.
AQUATICS
Aquatics put in some hours this month, biggest highlights:
AQ Team ran 3 CPR & First Aid classes between 2 days of training
29 participants in the CPR, AED, & First Aid for Adult & Infant class
9 participants in the CPR for the Professional Rescuer & First Aid class
We now officially have 35 On-Call AQ Staff, including Lifeguards, Head Guards, and Aquatic Fitness Instructors! (And still hiring more!)
Recreation Management Services
In preparation for the Membership Launch Tours, Ribbon Cutting, and the official opening of LORAC, the month of April was filled with essential walk-throughs, staff trainings, and final inspections.
Operational and Systems Training
Staff participated in a series of hands-on training sessions focused on key technology systems and equipment:
Timekeeping Systems (ADP): Staff received training on using ADP for employee scheduling, shift management, and clocking in/out
Captivate App (Active Network): Representatives from Active Network demonstrated the Captivate App to streamline check-in/out processes for LORAC membership classes and activities.
Building and Aquatic Facility Trainings
Specialized trainings were conducted to ensure staff were well-prepared for safe and efficient operations:
Red and White Candy Cane Slide operations and safety procedures
Building fire alarm system overview
Audio/Visual system functionality
Motorized window covering operations
Building Walk-Throughs and Inspections
Key inspections and punch-list items were addressed as part of final preparations: Architectural Exterior Punch List Review Pool Pre-Licensing Tours and Discussions with Oregon Health Authority (OHA)
Summer 2025 Registration Highlights
Opening Day: Saturday, April 5 at 10 a.m. (LO Residents Only)
Total Transactions: 7,795
Gross Receipts: $684,68833
Net Receipts (after fees): $641,240.34
Year-over-Year Net Increase: +9.24% compared to 2024
Top 3 Summer Program Categories by Revenue: 1.Camps:
Community & Team Engagement
SEA Architecture hosted a team-building event, Fired Up, for women in business. It was a fun and creative networking opportunity, allowing participants to craft pottery while connecting with peers Jan, Brenda, and Dina represented Lake Oswego Parks & Recreation at the event.
Online Registration Dominates:
89% of registrations were completed online, affirming the preference for digital access
Parks Planning & Projects
CAPITALPROJECTSCONTINUED
Rassekh Park Phase 2
The contractor is working to connect the playground area and maintenance building to site utilities including water, sewer, stormwater, electricity, and irrigation They are also in the process of setting basalt columns and boulders that border several of the play areas, digging for curbs, and rocking the entire site.
Willamette River Greenway Trail (between Roehr and George Rogers Park)
A submittal for Metro Local Share funds for this project is being prepared for Lake Oswego City Council and Metro Council review and approval in 2025. A design and engineering team led by Lango Hansen is refining the design and preparing a land use application, with a submittal date expected in early May Per the pre-application conference the land use application is expected to be reviewed under ministerial review and will not require a land use hearing. However, the project team still plans to hold an informal neighborhood meeting to keep neighbors and affected property owners informed about the project’s status
PLANNING&POLICYPROJECTS
Parks Plan 2040
The final joint Parks Board and CAC meeting was held on March 18, during which the Parks Board made a motion to recommend that Council adopt the Plan with a list of minor changes, and adding some discussion about access to Oswego Lake The plan will be shared with City Council on May 20 for adoption. Following the Council meeting, the project team will review and may ultimately recommend changes to the Parks SDC methodology based on the 15-year CIP included in the plan; this information will be presented as a separate subsequent adoption package
Parks Planning & Projects
Athletic Field Requirements Study Update
A final draft of the document is complete and is available for review on the Parks Plan 2040 project website under Project Documents. It will also be included in the appendices of the City Council review draft. The report studies Lake Oswego’s sports field inventory, assesses demand, and makes recommendations based on supply and demand analyses. Findings from the 2025 Report identify a number of potential process and management considerations, data collection and coordination strategies, and capital recommendations including to install lighting and artificial turf fields or infields to extend playable hours during shoulder and winter seasons. The study also found that, consistent with the 2011 and 2019 studies, one additional rectangular field is needed somewhere in the city over the planning period (15 years) to meet demand from local user groups
Luscher Area Master Plan Implementation
Preparation of a land use application package including narrative, traffic impact analysis, local park master plan, and exhibits is underway and is expected to be submitted in early 2025. The submittal will include narrative addressing all of the applicable requirements, as laid out in the pre-application conference, including: standards from Clackamas County Zoning and Development Ordinance (Section 401 EFU Zoning, Section 706 Habitat Conservation Area District (HCAD), Section 709 Water Quality Resource Area District (WQRAD), Section 707 Historic Landmark Overlay District, Section 714 Special Use Overlay District, Section 1000 Development Standards for Institutional uses, and Section 1202 Criteria for Zone Changes; findings related to Comprehensive Plan goals and policies from Chapter 4 Land Use for Agricultural Lands and Urban Reserves and Chapter 9 for recreation and Historic Landmark related goals; requirements set forth in Oregon Administrative Rules 660-0340040 and thus OAR 660-034-0035(2)(a) to (g) related to public park uses on farm and forest lands; requirements set forth in Oregon Revised Statute 215296 related to impacts to farm and forest uses; and Statewide Planning Goals 1 through 15. If approved, the first project staff would undertake is needed safety and accessibility improvements to Luscher Farm’s driveway and parking area, leveraging Metro Local Share dollars as approved by Lake Oswego City Council
West Waluga Park Neighborhood Connector Trail
Scoping and design for this project, which emerged as a community priority during the Metro Local Share community engagement process, is expected to begin in 2025. The project will connect neighborhoods north and south of West Waluga Park to each other and to the park’s amenities via a boardwalk trail between Royal Oaks Drive and Oakridge Court or Yorkshire Place.
Tennis, Golf & Sports
TENNISCENTER
Program Updates
April was a steady and productive month at Lake Oswego Tennis Center as we transitioned from spring break back into our regular programming and began preparing for the busy summer season ahead. Our instructional programs continued to run smoothly, and we’ve seen strong participation and retention in our junior and adult classes.
USTA Spring Leagues remained in full swing, with Adult 18+, Mixed 55, and Adult 65 teams continuing their matches. The leagues have contributed to a lively atmosphere at the center, fostering a strong sense of community among players
Additionally, we’ve begun receiving ear interest and inquiries for summer camp classes, a positive sign as we look to bu last year’s success
Staffing & Professional Developmen Updates
Our instructional staff continues to demonstrate excellent leadership and dedication on court Several coaches ar continuing their certification journeys, w will only further enhance the level of instruction we offer.
Facility & Operations
April has been a month of maintaining consistency and supporting daily operations We continue to monitor and adjust our procedures to ensure smooth registration and facility usage as we prepare for increased summer traffic.
Looking ahead to May, we anticipate wrapping up spring programming while putting the final touches on summer operations. We remain committed to providing excellent service and fostering a positive and inclusive environment for all visitors.
At the front desk, our team remains a vital part of creating a friendly and seamless experience for our patrons Their efforts to provide exceptional customer ser particularly during peak times, co appreciated by both staff and gue
Spring & Summer Program Dev
Preparations for the summer seas underway. Summer staff recruitm progressing, and we are finalizing schedules and curriculum. Our fo on ensuring we are fully staffed a to deliver fun, engaging, and developmentally appropriate tenn experiences for players of all ages
Tennis, Golf & Sports
Youth Sports Classes and Camps
This April we had 5 youth programs run between Oregon Fencing Alliance, Skyhawks Sports Academy, and our very own champion running instructor, Liz. Classes Introduction to Fencing had 15 participants and we added an Intermediate Fencing class for youth who are looking for more advanced instruction The intermediate class had a total of 6 fencers For Skyhawks Sports Academy, youth classes for Track and Field had a total of 10 participants and youth volleyball class had 8 participants. Liz and her Run4Fun program ran through LOPR had a total of 12 runners at Hazelia Field April registration for youth classes and camps showed strong interest in non-traditional sports such as cheerleading and lacrosse and expected high interest in traditional sports like basketball, soccer, and more.
Teen Sports
The new LORAC gymnasium has proven to be a popular afterschool spot for local high schoolers We are happy to have a space for teens to enjoy sports outside high school and competitive teams as well as in addition to our Winter High School City League program!
Adult Sports
Registration for Adult Slow-Pitch Softball continues to run strong with teams and players gearing up for the Summer season beginning in June. Alongside Clackamas County Softball Association who maintains the Oswego Softball program, we offer coed, mens, and senior leagues that continueto grow each year
In addition to our long-standing soccer, softball, and cornhole leagues that run in the Summer, we are introducing Adult Basketball League Currently, the Men’s 18+ division has 5 teams who are excited to begin play in June!
Tennis, Golf & Sports
GOLF
The golf course and driving range opened on Sunday, April 27. Tee times have been extremely busy Customers are eagerly anticipating our new foreUP software, which should be up and running in the first few days of May.
The new ball dispenser on the driving range has been very popular! The first day the range was open, approximately 12,000 balls were hit We’ve averaged about 10,000 balls per day since then
The reaction to the new course and the new facilities has been overwhelmingly positive. Golfers are excited to be out on the course!
PICKLEBALL
We are excited to announce that we are now offering pickleball programming in the gym of our newly constructed LORAC facility! The first official class held at the LORAC was Intro to Pickleball on Monday, April 28!
Pickleball enthusiasts are looking forward to playing in a temperature-controlled environment where they can enjoy the courts comfortably year-round Our dedicated team of five pickleball instructors is eager to begin offering instruction and fostering a vibrant pickleball community.
In addition, we will be offering Open Play Pickleball sessions, where players can rotate in on games during the following times:
Sundays: 8:00 am – 11:00 am
Mondays: 7:00 am – 10:00 am
Wednesdays: 7:00 am – 9:30 am
Fridays: 7:00 am – 9:30 am
We are also preparing for the upcoming summer season Beginner classes are already booked for May and June We encourage community members to take advantage of these exciting new offerings and enjoy the enhanced recreational opportunities at LORAC
Parks
All Parks Crews (Parks, Athletic Fields, Irrigation, Natural Areas Facilities and Sports) assisted in the large task of preparing the Golf Course, Driving Range and LORAC for opening.
All resources where prioritized to the opening and included late hours and weekends.
Parks & Natural Area Projects
Parks staff led a free workshop at Foothills park on Emerald Ash Borer, what the city is doing in response, and planting mitigation trees
Free tree pruning workshop held at Foothills park as part of Arbor Month celebration series.
The Millennium Interactive Fountain was repaired and prepped for the season Turn on will happen May 9.
Train Gate at Lower Millennium was repaired.
Parks staff work parties for several projects including: Hazelia shrub bed maintenance, Hazelia Mulch, gravel pathway at the golf course, LORAC shrub beds, golf maintenance yard fencing, and more.
Jeff Munro (“Mun-mow”) hopped back on the mower to help prep the golf course for grand opening weekend
Westlake alley & Melrose shrub bed clean up
A Cottonwood fell on Roehr pathway during a weekend storm. Crews worked on cleaning it up over several days.
A few new trees and shrubs planted at Foothills Park
Seasonal tasks such as checking & repairing irrigation, weeding & IPM, mowing & edging, pruning projects, pressure washing, and reservations.
We finished all of our Garlic Mustard and Teasel sprays for the early spring season.
We had a work party at Luscher on the April 13 to remove ivy from the Jungle
We attended an ORPA training regarding best practices for invasive removal and planning of restoration projects.
We had a Scavenger Hunt at Freepons Park for neighborhood kids
Tree Planting at Stafford Grove for Earth day that included neighbors!
Staff Training & Safety
All staff Mandatory Reporter training on Athletic Fields.
Groomed and added conditioner to all dirt fields
Installed marking whiskers for all base locations on all fields.
Continued with all basic maintenance to all athletic fields.
Prepped the Golf picker for the driving range by customizing its protection from golf ball damage
Irrigation Startups, Troubleshooting & Repairs
The season has now begun for irrigation and crews re busy turning water on and fixing lines.
Mainline repair at Foothills Park took priority this month.
Mainline extended at George Rogers Park in order to provide a long term source of irrigation for the lower shelter grass and planted beds.
Mainline repair at Westlake bullpen.
Park Reservations & Permits
Park Reservations started on April 1 We’ve had several Premier Park and Picnic Shelter reservations through April Reservations have really picked up for the next few months.
Several Special Event Permit applications are in que for permit approval The first event taking place May 3 is the Lake Run Upcoming events include Walk4Water out of Foothills Park and the Pride Festival at Millennium Plaza Park.
Summer Field Requests (June 1 – August 31) for Category 1 & 2 users were due in early April Athletic Fields (mainly for camps and tournaments) have been allocated Online requests for Category 3 & 4 users is now open.
Tournaments include:
LO Little League hosting the District 4 Tournament in June at Westlake Park Oswego Baseball Club hosting the 12U Northern Oregon Cal Ripken State Tournament at East Waluga Park in July
LO Soccer Club hosting the Oswego Nike Cup at all City Fields in July.
LO Soccer Club co-hosting the Mt. Hood Challenge Soccer Tournament at Hazelia in August
