City Of Gresham: Gresham Is Excited To Announce Funding For Gradin Sports Park

Press release from the City of Gresham:

March 10, 2022

Gresham is excited to announce that the latest congressional funding package contains $2 million dollars dedicated to the development of
Gradin Sports Park. Part of a $10 million funding package for local projects, the House is expected to vote on the bill this week with a Senate vote to follow.

Funding for the development of Gradin Sports Park is a tremendous accomplishment for Gresham,” said City Manager Nina Vetter. “We are grateful for Representative Blumenauer’s leadership as this project is instrumental in providing the recreational opportunities our community needs.”

The City obtained Gradin Sports Park in 1990 as a gift from the local Gradin family. In 2008, the City completed a master plan for the park and in 2009 the first phase of development was able to take place, due largely to fundraising and advocacy efforts from City leadership and the community. Over the past decade, City staff have written numerous grant requests in hopes of advancing the development of Gradin Sports Park.

The $2 million in federal funding announced will be leveraged along with $2 million in funding recently awarded to the City by the State of Oregon, as well as just over $1 million in system development charges the City has been able to accumulate. With approximately $5.5 million total in project funding, the City will be able to add many of the amenities included in the original master plan.

“At minimum, we anticipate adding two additional softball and baseball fields, two additional soccer fields, completing the parking lot, as well as including a restroom, concessions, and storage building,” says Gresham Parks and Recreation Manager Joe Walsh.

As a result of these improvements, Gradin Sports Park has the potential to become a tournament-quality facility providing Gresham with significant economic development. Despite youth sports tourism being one of the fastest growing segments in tourism, there are limited options for tournament play in the East County. When fully developed, Gradin Sports Park would attract opportunities for tournament play, which would directly result in spending at local Gresham hotels, restaurants and shops.

Beyond the positive economic impacts, the development of Gradin Sports Park will provide the community with a safe high-quality facility for increased recreational opportunities. Several different community-based organizations utilize Gradin Sports Park, from the Eastside Timbers and Western Oregon University, to the Rebels Softball organization. This infrastructure is critically important to create safe spaces for the community to gather. After decades of waiting, securing funding to complete the development of Gradin Sports Park is a monumental gain for Gresham.

This press release was produced by the City of Gresham. The views expressed here are the author’s own.