2024-2025 Year in Review

We protect and improve the natural beauty of our district's parks, trails, and green spaces. With safety as a priority, we made key improvements to create better experiences for residents enjoying our parks and trails.
 

These enhancements included upgrading the wooden swing at Hawthorne Park to a commercial-grade steel swing and replacing the footbridge at Ball-Michel Park to make it more durable against the elements for years to come. Additionally, signage along the Trolley Trail was updated for etiquette and safety, and parking lots across the district were restriped with new lines.

Our passion for science and the natural world was evident during our first annual BioBlitz event at Boardman Wetlands Nature Park. Alongside 16 enthusiastic volunteers, we ventured into the park to track the diversity of plants, wildlife, and insects. Together, we recorded an impressive total of 367 observations representing 163 different species, providing valuable data for our ongoing ecological assessments.

Taking a proactive approach to emergency preparedness, we developed a comprehensive Wildfire Management Plan for North Clackamas Park. The successful implementation of this plan will uphold the safety of this site and protect this community gem. To further our dedication to protecting our parks, our Natural Resources Coordinator proudly achieved certification as an arborist. This accomplishment strengthens our team's ability to manage and nurture the health of the beloved trees that reside in our parks.

North Clackamas Aquatic Park was bustling with activity this past year, welcoming a total of 167,414 visitors looking for aquatic fun, fitness, and education.

Among those who joined us, 65,988 patrons enjoyed Big Surf Recreation Swim, riding the waves and exhilarating water slides—a perfect local escape for adventure seekers. Additionally, we are thrilled to report an 8% increase in parents bringing their little ones for the Parent Preschool Swim program, highlighting our commitment to fostering a love for water from an early age.

We're also dedicated to being a year-round hub for water safety, offering valuable swim lessons and lifeguard training to our community. We know how crucial these life skills are, and that's why we're excited to share that this year we’ve upped our offerings by adding 182 new swim lesson spots. This increase has boosted our class capacity by 6%, allowing us to serve even more people.

This past year, we were thrilled to welcome over 14,758 community members of all ages to enjoy our diverse range of recreation, enrichment, and sports programs.

We’re excited to report a 10% increase in participation in our recreation and enrichment classes, as well as our drop-in activity groups. This wave of enthusiasm resulted in exciting new offerings, including cooking classes that introduced participants to the delicious world of fermentation and kombucha. Additionally, we expanded our yoga classes to meet growing demand, effectively reducing waitlists and allowing even more individuals to nurture their minds and bodies in our welcoming group settings.

Our sports division also had an exhilarating year, filled with hoop dreams and goal getters! A total of 2,303 young athletes participated in quality programs, including Hoopers Basketball, Sideout Volleyball, Flag Football, and expanded adaptive and inclusive programs. These budding athletes honed their skills while discovering a love for the game.

In addition, our Adult Softball leagues demonstrated the enduring passion for sports that transcend age, with 77 teams and 1,146 players hitting the field.

As we reflect on a busy year filled with special events, we can't help but bask in the joy and excitement that came from bringing the community together for music, movies, art, and culture.

In total, we proudly hosted 23 events that attracted an astounding 8,455 community members, all participating in enriching and memorable activities. Here are a few highlights from the year – just to name a few.

We proudly hosted the third annual Fiesta en el Parque event at North Clackamas Park. This vibrant gathering celebrated Latino cultures and traditions, attracting over 1,500 community members. Attendees enjoyed a delightful day filled with artisan goods, exciting kids' activities, lively music and dance performances, and a wide variety of food vendors – truly a feast for the senses!

Continuing the celebrations, we saw the return of our Halloween event held at the Milwaukie Community Center, where 575 costume-clad kids and their parents joined in for some not-so-spooky fun! This marks an incredible 187% increase from when we last hosted the event in 2022, showcasing just how much our community loves to come together for festive celebrations.

And let’s give a shoutout to our teens! In response to the community’s call for more teen-focused events and programs, we organized five fantastic teen nights. These evenings created safe and engaging spaces where teens could connect with peers, enjoy themed activities and games, and simply relax in a space designed just for them.

This past year marked a significant milestone for the Milwaukie Community Center as we celebrated its 45th anniversary! 

Since the Center first opened, thousands of patrons have walked through our doors, enjoying a welcoming and inviting space that supports residents of all ages. This anniversary reflects our long-standing commitment to the community and highlights the wonderful relationships and essential services that have flourished within our walls.

One of our cornerstone missions is to support seniors in their journey to maintain independence while living joyful, thriving, and connected lives. Throughout this past year, our social services programs have delivered significant benefits to our senior community, evidenced by a 34% increase in clinic and support group offerings, a 37% rise in case monitoring, and an impressive 63,050 nutritious meals served through Meals on Wheels—ensuring that no senior goes hungry.

While we celebrate these achievements, we face challenges as well. Inflation continues to outpace our revenues, posing a hurdle for our daily operations and the long-term sustainability of the center. We are immensely thankful for the steadfast support from the Milwaukie Community Center Foundation. Their generous pledge of $180,000 for our Nutrition Program in fiscal year 25-26 will help us continue our vital work.

 

Throughout the year, we've been inspired by nearly 1,900 generous volunteers who have joined forces with NCPRD staff to make a meaningful impact in our community.  

From delivering meals to our homebound senior neighbors to nurturing our precious green spaces, these selfless individuals have truly enriched community vitality and promoted healthy living. Their commitment is also evident in the many hours they've contributed to keep our sports programs thriving and accessible for everyone.

We want to extend our heartfelt gratitude to each volunteer for their unwavering support and enthusiasm. Together, we are creating a brighter future for our community. Thank you for being a vital part of our mission!