The City of Stayton has been awarded a $1 million state grant for development of Mill Creek Park, the first major cash injection for the long-awaited facility.
On Sept. 18, the Oregon Parks and Recreation Commission approved the funding as part of a $32.5 million grant package through its Local Government Grant Program.
The $1 million will be paired with $750,000 in funds set aside by the City Council March 18 from system development charges. While a match was not required for the grant, city officials said their application would be more competitive if Stayton also contributed to the project.
According to the grant application, the funding will support the construction of restrooms, picnic tables, playground equipment, bocce ball courts and horseshoe pits. The grant will also allow wetland mitigation, grading and other earthwork.
The council is expected to discuss the grant and a possible timeframe for park development during its
Oct. 7 meeting.
A site plan for the proposed Mill Creek Park in Stayton, prepared by AKS Engineering. The City of Stayton was awarded a $1 million state grant Sept. 18 toward development of the park. City of Stayton
The planned park is located on 23 acres of undeveloped land at the north end of town on Kindle Way SE, including a forested portion and direct access to Mill Creek.
The City acquired the property in 2017 specifically to build a park after identifying a shortage of park space in the 2004 Parks and Recreation Master Plan.
After buying the property, Stayton sought feedback from residents on what they would like in a new park, and in 2019 approved a plan for a multi-use facility. In addition to the projects funded by the grant, the city envisions a possible baseball field, soccer fields, basketball court, skatepark and walking trails.
In December 2023, the City hired AKS Engineering and Forestry to update the Mill Creek Master Plan to refine the document so the city could qualify for possible grants. Updates included addition of a groundwater management system and inclusion of The Santiam Teen Center, which leased a building on the property long-term last year.
The council approved the revisions to the master plan Feb. 20 and applied for the grant March 18.
