 Nadaka Nature Park |
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What: Wilkes East Neighborhood Association (WENA) meeting to discuss expansion of Nadaka Nature Park into 1.9 acres on south edge of Nadaka.
When: Thursday, Nov 19th 7PM
St Aidan's Episcopal Church
NE 174th & NE Glisan
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Background
WENA and the Friends of Nadaka have successfully applied for a Metro Nature in Neighborhood capital grant, received a contribution from the East Multnomah Soil & Water Conservation District (EMSWCD) and worked with the Trust for Public Land (TPL) and the Nelson Estate to acquire this 1.9 acre parcel. The City of Gresham has not contributed money for this purchase but the property will be owned and maintained by the City of Gresham. This acquisition will become part of Nadaka.
WENA meetings were held on Feb 16, May 4, Aug. 24 & Sept. 24, 2009 at which time the Nadaka grants and expansion were mentioned. The Sept. 24th meeting was held for the sole purpose of discussing the expansion of Nadaka. The City of Gresham is in the process of hiring a consultant to assist in developing a comprehensive master plan for this expansion and it is expected that they will be in attendance at this meeting. This master plan process includes how the plan for the new expansion area will be integrated with the Nadaka master plan adopted in 2001 and may include revision of the 2001 master plan.
Metro Grant & Criteria for Development
In applying for Metro grant money this project is required to meet the following criteria:
- "Re-nature" neighborhoods by increasing & recovering the presence and function of ecological features to protect water quality & plant habitat.
- "Re-green" urban neighborhoods to enrich peoples' experience of nature and help strengthen a physical connection to the region's ecology.
- Demonstrate multiple benefits for people & natural systems.
- Demonstrate cost-effective ecological design solutions.
- Increase the region's fish & wildlife inventory.
- Restore and/or improve habitats of concern such as eligible lands identified under the land acquisition criteria for the program and/or headwaters and confluences of the region's important urban stream and river corridors.
- Improve natural amenities to provide universal access to the public.
These criteria were met in the Metro grant application that was also considered when obtaining funding from EMSWCD and the assistance of TPL. Under #3 some of the things to be included in this master plan are: create a community garden, community orchard, native plant nursery, nature-based play equipment, picnic facilities, etc.
In addition, benchmark #3 of the inter-governmental agreement with the City of Gresham requires "Revision of the master plan that identifies the future use of the site and directs the use of sustainable site development practices in order to improve the biological functions of the site."
