Yamhill County Parks

Yamhill County Parks & Recreation News Releases

Parks Updates and Meeting Notice

March 20th PRB Meeting Agenda

Reservations at County Parks – New Policies Effective 4/18/13

During the summer months, the reservable areas within the county park system are booked almost every weekend from Memorial Day through Labor Day. Typically these reservations are for a multitude of activities, including: weddings, family reunions, company picnics, and other gatherings. Most reservations occur in Ed Grenfell Park and Lafayette Locks Park. A new reservation policy was adopted on 4/18/13 (Board Order 13-228), to ensure continued compliance with Yamhill County Ordinance 619 (aka the County Parks Ordinance), better refine administrative oversight of parks reservations, and to prevent potential conflicts or issues with reservations impacting other park users and the surrounding neighborhood. The following is some of the key changes:

  1. Only the following park sites are available for reservations: Ed Grenfell Park’s picnic shelter, Lafayette Locks’ picnic shelter, and Charles Metsker Park (Note: Access to Metsker Park is for organized youth and adult groups for the purposes of outdoor education and research only.). For all other park sites, a written request must be submitted to Yamhill County Parks at least 30 days in advance and are considered on a case-by-case basis.
  2. The possession and consumption of alcohol at Charles Metsker Park is prohibited.
  3. A reservation fee has been established for Charles Metsker Park ($25 per day for up to 50 attendees and $50 per day for events in excess of 50 attendees); however, All or part of the reservation fees may be waived for Charles Metsker Park in return for a Parks-approved service project at a Yamhill County Park. Note: Service project must be approved by County Parks prior to event. To formulate the waiver, hours worked x hourly rate = in kind donation to cover fee.

    4.    * Also, a refundable $25 deposit is required for checking out the key to the park.
  4. Cancellations

    5.    * Full refunds will be made for cancellations made with at least 1 month’s notice.
       * Cancellations made between 1 month and 10 days prior to the reservation date, half of the reservation fee will be refunded.
       * Cancellations given less than 10 days prior to the reservation date are not eligible for a refund.

For more information, please read BO 13-228.

TO MAKE A PARK RESERVATION, PLEASE CALL 503-434-7515
FOR GENERAL OR SPECIFIC PARKS INFORMATION, PLEASE CALL 503-434-7463.

Yamhelas Westsider Trail Proposal
Yamhill County Parks has been actively working with the Friends of Yamhelas Westsider Trail, citizens, local businesses, and partner agencies (including the Cities of Carlton, Yamhill, McMinnville, Gaston, Washington County, Oregon Parks and Recreation Department, and etc…) on the proposed acquisition of an abandoned Union Pacific Railroad right-of-way from Hagg Lake to OR 99W, near McMinnville. The 17 mile long railway corridor is located in the heart of scenic Oregon Wine Country and provides linkages between 4 cities, 2 counties and several regionally significant recreation sites. The acquisition would preserve the railway in one single public ownership and address multiple transportation needs, including pedestrian, bicycling and future rail service. For information about the proposal, please visit the following website: http://yamhelaswestsidertrail.org/.

New County Park Proposal for the Whiteson Area
Over the last couple of years, the Yamhill County Parks and Recreation Board and Parks’ Staff have been working on a new park proposal for Yamhill County. This proposed park would be the first new park for the Yamhill County park system in 25 years and the 94-acres included in this proposal have excellent potential in providing opportunities for a couple of miles of multi-use trails, access to a beautiful stretch of the south fork of the Yamhill River, a small meeting hall, seasonal water trail, large areas for a variety of day use and educational activities, and possibly overnight camping facilities (NOTE: camping is not included in the current Conditional Use Proposal, as further planning and land use approval is required).

Status of proposal:

  • The Yamhill County Board of Commissioners approved a Conditional Use Permit for Phases 1 and 2 of the proposal . This permit allows for limited development, including trails, restrooms, parking, and small day use areas.
  • Yamhill County Parks is currently engaged in the planning for the implementation of Phase 1 and developing a timeline for site improvements and public access. It should be noted that the properties are not open to public access at this time.
  • An electronic version (pdf) of the plan for Phases 1 and 2 is available for view, via the following link: Whiteson Properties Park Phase 1.

Should you have questions about the proposal, please contact Yamhill County Parks via email:hufferk@co.yamhill.or.us.