Work on Molalla’s newest city park continues to move along nicely.
Assistant City Manager Mac Corthell gave the Molalla City Council an update at the Aug. 28 council meeting.
Chief Yelkus Park will be a naturally-themed educational play park that is located on Molalla Forest Road between Toliver Road to the north and Highway 211 to the south.
The Chief Yelkus Park development currently has two phases in civil design, with a third phase to be added upon completion of the Parks Master Plan process.
“Phase 1 will develop the south end of the park and boasts a new parking lot, restroom facilities, water fountain, picnic tables, bike racks, landscaping, walkways, and a custom Earthscape playground,” explained Corthell.
The playground is themed for the foundational myth of the Molalla Indian Tribe, coyote and grizzly, and features a large coyote play structure, a log jam structure, wooden columns shaped as reeds, balance beams, and platforms with ADA compliant engineered wood fiber surfacing.
Corthell said that Phase 2 will develop a raised, ADA compliant, wetland path connecting the phase 1 walkway to an upland area in the middle of the park, then to the north end of the park on Molalla Forest Road.
Phase 2 also includes wetland enhancements, birdwatching/viewing areas, seating areas, and educational signage. Phase 3 is not yet in design but will provide a development plan for the portion of the park west of Molalla Forest Road.
The park is accessed from the south via a bike/pedestrian bridge spanning Bear Creek and connecting to the multi-use path along Highway 211, from the north via Molalla Forest Road, and from the east via Forest Lane.
Concept design for the park began in August 2022 and was finalized in February 2024. Civil design is currently at 75% completion and includes both Phase 1 and Phase 2 of the project.
The playground design is complete with materials on order.
“Earthscape playgrounds are renowned in the parks industry and have received rave reviews for their unique appearance and creative play options,” Corthell noted. “Phase 1 construction is budgeted for this fiscal year and currently scheduled to be complete in September 2025. Phase 2 construction is not yet planned and budgeted.”
Though the city won’t have the final engineers cost estimate for Phase 1 until the civil design is complete, and won’t have a final cost until a bid is awarded, Corthell said they are projecting a Phase 1 cost at around $900,000.
Financial help for the project has come from:
Molalla Parks & Recreation Committee - $8,000 raised in donations.
Ford Family Foundation - $25,000 pledge.
Molalla Communications Company - $100,000 pledge.
Oregon House Bill 5006 (Rep. Rick Lewis) - $500,000
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