After focusing on concerns about infrastructure in Clark County and Woodland, a new Facebook question asked residents what they liked about their communities. While some residents answered the call, many comments posted in community groups centered around improvements and other concerns.
Battle Ground
In Battle Ground, the majority of Facebook comments addressed areas of improvement and what is now missing from the community. Namely, residents miss the small town feel that they feel is gone.
Christina Davenport, a business owner in Battle Ground, does enjoy that community members recognize and support local businesses. But, she also stated in an email that she would like to see more retail space come available for small business, adding that finding affordable space to lease is rather difficult in the city.
Bianca Streif, of Venersborg, lived in Hockinson, Felida and Ridgefield prior to moving back to Battle Ground, she stated in an email.
“I love the short trip to town that has many amenities,” Streif stated. “There are plenty of locally owned places to eat and shop that reflect the variety of people here. … It’s a small town with many cultures and still holds on to the old-fashioned way of living and is friendly.”
Streif’s one big hope, however, is that “city planners will do what they can to keep trees, open space, small businesses and architecture that reflects the community.”
Cristina Olsen moved to Battle Ground six years ago with the expectation that the amount of open space and hiking opportunities will remain plentiful, she stated in an email. Her observations, however, are that hiking opportunities remain the same or improved, but open space is not as bountiful as it was six years ago.
“Now I see more and more buildings going up,” Olsen stated in the email. “I believe that housing is necessary (and some business), but not to the detriment of a healthy life that open space gives us. We live along the trail that connects Scotton Way with Rasmussen Blvd. … I hope that all that lovely space will be preserved as is, at most by creating a beautiful park-like and garden setting …”
She may not get her wish, however, as the land between Scotton Way and Rasmussen Boulevard on the east side of state Route 503 in Battle Ground currently has sale pending signs.
Woodland
In what seems to be a never-ending summer of construction in Woodland, community members sought to focus on the positives.
Residents expressed their love for the nearby lakes and rivers. They also pointed out that organizations, businesses and teachers in schools have helped shape the community they have grown to know and love.
“Woodland is a beautiful town nestled between two gorgeous rivers with a picturesque park and lake,” Woodland resident Brittny Nicole stated. “I love how our community comes together to celebrate Planters Days and the holidays.”
Wil Veale wrote that he recently moved to Woodland in April 2023 from Vancouver. He said that the change of scenery, welcoming neighbors, the beautiful scenery and the convenience of living in the town are all positive aspects his family enjoys regularly. Veale tempered his remarks by stating he believes the downtown corridor is wasting its potential.
“I’d like to see downtown revitalized, and I know there’s more than enough money, talent and skilled workers in this town to bring it back to life. But, apparently, something’s blocking anyone from taking that initiative,” Veale stated. “There’s a lot of wasted space downtown that could be renovated into something quaint and charming, if only the right folks were allowed to do so.”
Rene Bloemke, another Vancouver transplant, moved north to Woodland to escape the big city in 1998. She expressed her love of the small-town life after initially thinking moving was the wrong decision.
“I came kicking and screaming but soon realized it’s the best decision we’ve ever made,” Bloemke commented. “[I] love how everyone knows everyone and looks out for each other. [I] love that we only have one high school and the kiddos go to school together all their lives. [I] love that we have most city amenities while also having immediate access to rural activities.”
Residents expressed their appreciation to organizations such as the Moose and Masonic lodges in Woodland, programs such as the Woodland Co-op Preschool and even bars such as Brock’s Bar and Grill.
On the other hand, Erin Thoeny thinks the community is slipping.
“One thing that has gone downhill is a sense of pride in community involvement,” Thoeny commented. “Most people just expect others to do things. People always complain about things, like downtown Woodland, but they never get actively involved to improve things.”
She added that the Woodland Grange, Woodland Museum, the Hulda Klager Lilac Gardens and Planters Days are all reliant on volunteers and have struggled recently to find the help they need.
Ridgefield
Ridgefield resident Pat Miller’s comment on the city was an analogy for its growth.
“You ever hear how if you drop a frog into hot water, it will jump out,” she wrote, “but if you heat up the water slowly with the frog in it, the frog will die. Yeah kinda like that.”
Other residents’ comments were more specific, centering on dark-sky exterior lighting in new developments to feeling like they no longer live in a small town.
“Many of us who have lived here for decades share a sense of loss for what our town once was,” stated 30-year Ridgefield resident Dianna Barnette. “Seeing the growth, decline, change produces grief that is palpable at times. However, despite the shrinking open spaces, I remain hopeful that our love for the community continues to grow stronger, extending it to those that are new and wish to become a hometown girl, too.”
A returning resident to Ridgefield, Ellie Opdycke, provided some positive insight about the home of the Spudders in an email. She and her husband previously lived in Kelso and moved back to Ridgefield for a safer community, she stated.
“In my high school years at home, we had to drive to Woodland for groceries (closest grocery store being Walmart). Now, it’s so nice to have Rosauers so close in proximity to our home,” Opdycke stated. “I helped open the Ridgefield Starbucks and have loved seeing changes being made.”
She added that the addition of Tractor Supply in Ridgefield cut down their gas costs significantly when buying feed for her farm animals, whereas before she drove to Wilco in Battle Ground. She is also looking forward to having a Costco so close to home.
“We may never have the need to leave the city of Ridgefield again if they keep putting in new stores,” Opdycke stated.
She wishes the city of Ridgefield would swap out the roundabout at the Costco for a traffic light instead, however.
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