Design Unveiled for Community Campus Park |
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After months of public input, multiple open houses, and hundreds of survey responses, we're excited to announce that we've developed a Preferred Concept for the new Community Campus Park!
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The new park will feature an action sports facility that includes a brand new expanded skate park as well as a pump track, in addition to a children's playground, trails, picnic shelters, natural and open spaces, and restrooms. |
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Preferred Draft Park Design |
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The first phase design for the Sandy Community Campus park recalls the fluid forms of the Sandy River and surrounding hillsides. The curving paths with woodland plantings bring visitors from to a central gathering space perched above the park that descends into an open grass area. Vehicular access to the parking lot is from both Meinig Avenue and Scenic Street with a vehicular drop-off adjacent to the central plaza. The plaza hosts a shelter, a restroom facility, picnic tables and benches, all with views to the forest beyond. From the plaza, there is a connection to a meandering walking path that connects to other park elements including a play area nestled in the wooded hillside, a skate park at the bottom of a sloped grass seating area and a pump track. |
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Skate Park and Pump Track |
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The existing outdated skatepark will be replaced with a new skatepark and asphalt pump track with plans to build a bike skills area in a future phase. The concrete skatepark and asphalt pump track will be connected to create an “all wheel” facility which can accommodate skateboards, bikes, scooters, roller blades, wheelchairs, and other adaptive use wheeled equipment. This will be the first concrete skatepark and asphalt pump track combination facility in the Pacific Northwest! |
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A universally accessible play area will include a variety of manufactured structures as well as play features made from natural elements. The play area will include a diverse array of play equipment that engages children of all ages and developmental abilities. |
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A paved pedestrian path will loop through the park and connect visitors to all areas of the park. At each ¼ mile, visitors can track their distance to achieve fitness goals. The paved path will connect to a soft surface path in the northwest corner of the park to extend to an extensive network of trails in the adjacent Sandy River Park. The project will also include new sidewalks and street improvements immediately adjacent to the park to provide better connectivity from the surrounding neighborhoods. |
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The park is surrounded on three sides by a mature forest consisting primarily of Douglas fir, western red cedar and big leaf maple trees. Protecting the existing trees is a priority as well as enhancing the site with native plantings. This diverse forest habitat provides opportunities for bird watching and other interactions with nature which can be experienced by visitors of all abilities via the paved path. Additionally, the park will include natural stormwater facilities to treat stormwater runoff. |
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Adjacent to the parking lot and drop-off area, a central plaza overlooking the park below will have a covered picnic shelter, accessible restrooms, seating areas and landscaping. |
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Informal gathering areas will be located throughout the park and include both accessible picnic tables and benches. These areas are directly adjacent to the main pathway system and provide a wide variety of gathering options for park visitors. |
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Repairs Begin on Sandercock Reservoir |
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In March, the Sandy City Council approved a contract to begin repairs on the Sandercock Reservoir, one of the five water reservoirs in Sandy’s drinking water system. Sandercock provides half a million gallons of potable water storage capacity for our community, making this reservoir a critical component of our water infrastructure.
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City staff recently discovered that the reservoir, originally built in 1966, is leaking substantially both above ground and below (see video). The repair project will stop the leak and provide increased efficiencies at the site, saving ratepayers money over time as our community continues to grow. |
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Water System Reinvestment |
The Sandercock Reservoir repairs are some of the first actions the City is taking under the Drinking Water System Reinvestment Project, a major undertaking that will modernize our infrastructure and ensure that we can meet Sandy’s drinking water needs into the future.
We need to invest now to meet three critical needs:
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Increasing system capacity to provide enough drinking water for Sandy in the near future
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Ensuring regulatory compliance with Federal water treatment requirements
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Increasing system resiliency to protect our community during emergencies and disasters
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Project Description
Sandy’s drinking water is provided through three sources: two local watershed sources (Alder Creek and Brownell Springs), and Portland Water Bureau’s Bull Run source (through a purchase agreement). The Drinking Water System Reinvestment Project will improve the system by addressing two critical needs:
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Upgrading the Alder Creek treatment plant; repairing reservoirs and replacing the pump station, filters, chemical feed systems, and utility systems; making it the primary water source for Sandy.
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Building a transmission line to the new Bull Run Treatment Plant facility, allowing Sandy to access water treated for cryptosporidium in compliance with Federal regulations.
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Project Benefits
The main goals of the Drinking Water System Reinvestment Project are:
Increasing System Capacity: Planned improvements will increase the capacity of Sandy’s Alder Creek water source to 2.4 million gallons per day, to maximize the City’s existing and serviceable water rights. Coupled with the new pipeline to Portland’s new treatment plant (below), this project will allow the City to meet Sandy’s water needs for the next several decades.
Ensuring Regulatory Compliance: The new transmission line being constructed to Portland’s new treatment plant will ensure Sandy’s compliance with Federal requirements to treat for cryptosporidium, a parasite that can be dangerous to health if ingested, before the prescribed deadline in 2027.
Building System Resiliency: Facility upgrades and modernization at Alder Creek will strengthen the ability of the plant to withstand disasters and emergencies, and connecting to the Bull Run supply will ensure critical system redundancy and access to supplemental regional sources. This is especially important with the increasing threat of wildfire to our community and infrastructure.
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Maintaining Fiscal Responsibility
While reinvestment in our infrastructure is necessary, it is also expensive. The total cost of the reinvestment project is estimated to be approximately $87.5 million, with $42 million going towards system repairs and $45.5M for building the new water transmission line. To keep our water utility financially solvent and to ensure the City can qualify for the financing necessary to fund the project, the City has raised water rates and system development charges (SDCs). While water rates are paid by users of the system, SDCs are paid by development when new residential or commercial construction occurs.
In addition, the City of Sandy is proactively pursuing all opportunities for external funding and financing to keep rates as low as possible for customers. In addition to securing $20 million in low interest financing from the State and $47 million in low interest financing from the federal government, the City has also requested a $14.44 million in capital construction appropriations from the Oregon Legislature.
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City Council Adopts Goals for 2023-2025 |
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On March 20th, the Sandy City Council officially adopted its goals for the 2023-2025 biennium. The City Council adopts goals every two years to set priorities and strategic direction for the City. The goals identify the major initiatives, projects, and policies that the Council and staff will be dedicating time and resources over the next two years to achieve the Council's vision for the community.
The Sandy City Council is pursuing a wide range of policy objectives this biennium aimed at improving quality of life for Sandy residents and reinforcing investments in our critical infrastructure.
City Council meetings are open to the public, and we encourage you to attend! Meetings typically occur on the first and third Monday of each month at 7:00 p.m. Often the Council holds a 6:00 p.m. work session before meetings to study particular issues in further depth. Just click the Public Meetings button on our homepage to see the meeting schedule.
2023-2025 City Council Goals:
Public Safety and Community Livability
- Enhance public safety and community livability through enforcement of the municipal code.
- Develop a budget proposal for adding a code enforcement position.
- Develop a traffic safety and speed enforcement program that includes a filled traffic officer position and deployment of speed enforcement technology such as radar speed signs and speed trailers.
- Seek grant funding to support traffic safety and speed enforcement, and other programs within the Police Department.
- Continue addressing homelessness through partnerships with local and regional partners.
- Explore partnerships and shared costs for staffing related to behavioral health needs.
Public Works
- Continue to invest in sustainable infrastructure for the City’s critical public utilities, in pursuit of system resilience, expanded capacity, and environmental protection.
- Maintain the financial strength of the City’s utility funds.
- Increase the balance in the Stormwater Fund to prepare for a future Stormwater Master Plan.
- Replenish the Street Fund to support future maintenance activities.
- Continue to seek grants and alternative funding sources for the city’s major capital infrastructure projects.
- Increase pedestrian safety, trail and local road connectivity, and traffic efficiency through high priority projects in the City’s Transportation System Plan.
- Adopt the updated Transportation System Plan.
- Complete speed limit studies for Bluff Road and Highway 211.
- Study intersection and pedestrian safety improvements to the Dubarko Road/Highway 211 intersection.
Community Planning and Economic Development
- Foster community and economic development and tourism opportunities through events and projects that promote and leverage the City’s storied history and natural beauty.
- Expand on the Holidays Lights at Meinig Park to create a Winterfest event throughout the holiday season.
- Adopt and implement the Economic Development Strategic Plan; recruit businesses to Sandy in alignment with the goals and strategies identified in the plan.
- Manage responsible growth through engaging the public in community visioning and long range planning, and implementing code updates.
- Complete Envision Sandy 2050 and adopt the Comprehensive Plan update.
- Implement policy changes and new and emerging state regulations through code amendments that are responsible and reflect the community values.
- Pursue code options to retain local control of decision making over shelters and transitional housing.
- Continue to update the planning and building development fees to increase cost recovery.
Parks & Recreation
- Invest in our park system for current and future residents of Sandy and continue expansion of recreational opportunities for the community.
- Design and construct the Community Campus Park improvements.
- Complete design and construct park improvements at Deer Point Park.
- Research and act on the purchase of park land for future park facilities and/or natural area and open space preservation.
- Work with the Oregon Trail School District for developing a new facility use agreement.
- Explore ways to connect Sandy residents with aquatic opportunities, including swim lessons and water safety programs.
- Reestablish a volunteer program and expand volunteer opportunities.
SandyNet
- Complete a long term sustainable utility plan for SandyNet that includes a rate study, staffing needs analysis, and permanent facility plan.
Library
- Advocate for the financial sustainability for the Sandy and Hoodland Libraries and expand access to materials and enrichment programs.
- Seek funding for a community outreach and engagement vehicle.
- Work with the County on the long term plans for the Hoodland Library.
Transit
- Promote SAM as a safe, and efficient transportation option and increase system ridership.
- Increase community awareness and utilization of convenient routes within city limits, particularly the Shopper Shuttle.
- Ensure the proposed Clackamas County Town Center route is appropriately planned, safe, and efficient.
- Continue modernization of the fleet and operations.
Good Governance and City Operations
- Enhance Council effectiveness through updating the City Council Rules.
- Maintain financial sustainability of city programs, events, and services through adequate cost recovery policies and practices.
- Develop a Sustainable Staffing Plan for the City of Sandy.
- Continue investing in the city’s workforce to retain talented and community oriented employees through competitive compensation and recognition.
- Forecast current and future staffing needs to maintain service levels, mitigate operational risks, and adequately manage key projects and priorities.
- Develop an achievable plan for accommodating current and future space needs for city staff and operations.
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Mark your calendars for Saturday April 22nd - it's your chance to celebrate Earth Day through service and join Sandy Parks and Recreation and SOLVE for a Volunteer Community Clean Up Event!
We'll be cleaning up parks, trails, and public spaces around town. You can join other Oregonians in making our state a better place for both humans and wildlife!
- Make sure to come prepared with closed-toed shoes, work gloves and a re-usable water bottle.
- Clean up supplies will be provided (bags, grabbers, vinyl gloves, sharps containers)
You can sign up for 30 minutes and up to 4 hours - any help makes a difference!
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City of Sandy residents: the City of Sandy and Hoodview Disposal & Recycling are excited to announce the return of our annual curbside cleanup event!
Cleanup Day Details:
Regular household garbage (food, etc.) is NOT included and must be kept separate from your cleanup items. Absolutely no paint, hazardous materials (including household chemicals), asbestos contaminated construction materials, concrete, bricks, dirt, or rock. No appliances containing freon will be accepted.
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Small cleanup items must be contained in garbage cans or plastic bags with a 60-pound weight limit. Please place items out for collection curbside by 6:00 a.m. on the day of the event. To maintain the cleanliness of your neighborhood, please do not set material out prior to Friday afternoon. |
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This free cleanup is limited to the equivalency of five (5) 32-gallon garbage cans. One large, bulky item will be the equivalent of ALL FIVE of your allotted items. |
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Please remember that illegal dumping directly affects your rate, so it is important to report the crime. If you see someone dumping illegally, please file a report at the following web address as soon as possible: www.clackamas.us/dumpstoppers
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Got Questions? We've Got Answers!
Q.) How much can I set out?
A.) There is a maximum limit of 5 garbage cans. Larger items such as a piece of furniture or an appliance will each count as 5 of your 5 allowable cans.
Q.) What if I’m out of town on the clean-up day?
A.) Please try to make arrangements with a neighbor or relative to set your items out for you. If you miss the clean-up day, we do offer bulky item pick-ups year round, at an additional charge.
Q.) The driver took some of my items, but left others. Why?
A.) Uncollected items were on the unacceptable items list. You exceeded the maximum limit of 5 garbage cans, please call our office to arrange an additional bulky item pick-up.
Additional questions? Send us an E-mail or give us a call.
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Don't Miss This Year's Egg Hunts! |
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- Middle school flashlight egg hunt (grades 6th - 8th) @ 8:30 pm
- High school flashlight egg hunt (grades 9th - 12th) @ 9:00 pm
Meet under the Gazebo!
Bring a flashlight, jacket, and a bag for eggs.
Find the golden eggs and win $$$!
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Senior Egg hunt at the Sandy Public Library!
Why let the kids have all the fun? Hunt for eggs in the Library before it opens!
Win gift cards, movie tickets, and more! Coffee and treats available.
Hop on the trolley! Meet at the Sandy Community Center by 8:45 a.m. to ride the trolley from Senior Center to the Library and back.
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Current Land Use Applications |
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Here's the latest in our comprehensive database of active land use applications, complete with links to public meetings, documents, plans, maps, explanatory videos, staff reports, and other materials! You'll also find links to opportunities to take part in the decision-making process by submitting your own testimony.
Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions.
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Be a part of the process! Members of the public are always welcome at meetings of the City Council and other boards and commissions.
Get meeting details and learn more about the variety of ways you can participate by visiting our online meeting portal.
Mark your Calendars:
- City Council: April 3rd
- Economic Development Advisory Board: April 5th
- Parks and Trails Advisory Board: April 12th
- City Council: April 17th
- Planning Commission: April 24th
Click the image below to access Sandy's full public meeting calendar with date and time details, and learn more about everything your city government is doing to serve you!
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