Parks & Rec. to replant Sorosis Park this summer; Cost: $1 million
Dave Bergeson of The Dalles said he’d like more trees at Sorosis Park. Looks like Dave will get his wish.
By Tom Peterson
“I’d like to see some trees,” said Dave Bergeson on Wednesday morning, March 30 while taking his thrice-weekly walk through Sorosis Park.
Good news, Dave.
It appears your wish will come true.
North Wasco County Parks and Recreation Director Scott Baker informed The Dalles City Council on Monday, March 28th, that irrigation and tree replanting will occur this summer and could be completed as early as fall.
Cost of the project is estimated at $1million. City of The Dalles, Wasco County each contributed $400,000 from federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act, also known as the CARES Act. The Park district is contributing $200,000.
Pictured: Scott Baker, NWPRD Executive Director
“Irrigation will be out to bid in April,” Baker told Council.
Baker said he met with landscape architects at the park last week as they are working through tree choices and locking in on general plan designs.
The work comes after 780 ponderosa pines were removed from the park in 2020 and 2021 when the Ips Beetle took over the pine trees in the park, killing all of them in a 3-year span.
Baker said plans for the park entail planting a greater variety of trees with increased spacing.
“We’re being very thoughtful in our approach,” he said, noting spacing, watering and varieties of trees will be placed in a manner that represents some of the regions of Oregon.
The northwest corner of the park will be the forested section, the drought-tolerant or savannah section will be at the southern edges of the park, a grassy swale will grace the west side of the entrance to the park, and a botanical garden will be situated to the south end of the parking lot just west of the pavilion.
And they're going big with some of the trees to get a quick start on providing additional shade.
Baker said some of the trees will have trunks two inches in diameter and will be up to 15 feet tall when planted.
Non fruiting cherry blossom trees like this may soon adorn Sorosis Park.
The only variety that has been decided on is a non-fruiting flowering cherry tree, he said.
When asked about sycamore, oaks and maples, Baker said it was still undecided as they assess tree maintenance, health and chances of survival to name a few criteria for selection.
The difference between the right trees and the wrong trees can translate into weeks or months of additional maintenance by park staff. The wrong tree can create a harsh environment for bi-peds. Baker pointed out that the spiked balls of a sycamore tree are not pleasant to walk on with bare feet.
What is for sure is that trees will not be placed as densely as the ponderosa pine, Baker said, noting they were too dense and their closeness made it easier for the IPS beetles to spread.
Irrigation
The current irrigation system can be expanded, and the district will be adding additional zones that will keep trees and grass lush.
He said the park utilizes treated city water in its sprinkler system. There are thousands of feet of irrigation pipe to add and hundreds of sprinkler heads. The construction of the system will also rely heavily on the ability to get parts as supply chain issues have created long delays during the pandemic.
Gazebo Donation
Baker told Council Parks recently had a $165,000 donation for the construction of a gazebo. It would provide a space for weddings and receptions at a low cost and also lends itself to an “octagonal 40-foot diameter dancing area with a bump out for a stage.”
Better yet, he said he intended to leverage the money in additional grants to help pay for a covered basketball and pickleball court.
Camp Host and Tree Top Playground
Sorosis may ad a park host site similar to Oregon State Parks, where volunteers provide eyes, ears and maintenance to secure parks.
Baker said they were also looking at adding the following in coming years.
Increasing the perimeter walking and running trail to to a full mile.
Adding electrical, sewer and potable water for a camp host RV site. That host would then be responsible for providing security and some maintenance of the park.
Going for grants to redevelop Tree Top Playground. “We plan to replace the structure and repurpose the wood,” Baker said. Noting all the engravings of people who contributed to the original structure would be preserved and utilized in the new playground. Baker said a fairy shelter funhouse could be constructed using the reclaimed wood. “It could be a great project for the building trades program at CGCC,” he said.
Preservation of artwork and donors names is paramount in the future upgrade of Tree Top Playground, Parks Exec. Dir. Scott Baker told The Dalles City Council last week.
