Astoria Parks Advisory Board Meeting — April 22, 2026

The Astoria Parks and Recreation Advisory Board met on April 22, 2026, beginning at approximately 6:45 AM at Astoria City Hall. President Norma Hernandez presided. The board approved prior minutes, received community feedback, recognized an employee, heard Astoria Community Foundation updates, reviewed Parks Master Plan progress, discussed e-bike safety on the Riverwalk, and supported exploring a disc golf course at Shively Park. The meeting adjourned at 7:48 AM.

Note: The agenda and minutes provided are dated March 25, 2026, but the raw transcript reflects an April 22, 2026 meeting (the next meeting referenced is May 27). The March minutes also differ in some details, such as recognizing Seth Adams rather than Matt Rose and listing different public comments. This summary follows the April 22 transcript.

Consent Calendar

• Approval of the February 25 meeting minutes: Motion by Britta Herwig, seconded by Nathan Pinkstaff; approved unanimously.

Public Comments & Testimony

• No public comments were made or submitted online.

Discussion Items

President Hernandez: "What Do You Hear?"

• Board members shared community feedback. Britta Herwig raised concerns about e-bike safety on the Riverwalk, referencing a Facebook post about riders not using bells and describing an e-bike rider traveling at motorcycle-like speeds (estimated 35–45 mph) through crosswalks and on the Riverwalk. Another member reported an unusual swarm of small black flying bugs at the Column; maintenance staff also noticed them, and the phenomenon was thought to be seasonal.

Employee Recognition

• Staff recognized parks maintenance employee Matt Rose as Employee of the Month. Rose was praised for maintaining ball fields at Tapiola and Evergreen, assisting with burials, and helping with nearly every parks project. He has worked for the department for about three and a half years (four years in August). The March minutes instead reference recognizing Lead Front Desk Clerk Seth Adams at the Aquatic Center.

Astoria Community Foundation Updates

• Staff reported that the Astoria Community Foundation is fundraising well and currently funding three kids for the summer program, with a possibility of funding two more through private donors.
• Swim lessons have concluded successfully.
• The Run on the River is scheduled for May 30. Approximately 430 people have registered; staff anticipate around 600 participants, about 100 more than last year. About 30 volunteers are signed up, with a goal of 50. A volunteer night is set for May 27 at Fort George, offering free beer, a hat, and a cowbell.
• The Foundation asked whether staff could help assemble medals for the run; no formal request has been made, but staff are willing.

Parks Master Plan Update

• The final open house for the Parks Master Plan update was poorly attended, but an online survey has received about 40 responses. Overall engagement totaled 2,300 participants and over 3,000 written comments, approximately 1.3 comments per participant.
• The implementation strategy in board packets covers operations and maintenance, capital projects, programs, and planning initiatives. Capital projects include aquatic center expansion, public restrooms at Ninth Street and Lindstrom Park, Heritage Square development, dog park, Tapiola Park, Riverwalk lighting, and sports/recreation amenities. Planning initiatives include updating the comprehensive plan policy, updating the trails master plan, and system-wide wayfinding.
• The plan remains on schedule. Next steps are a City Council work session on May 27 and adoption by City Council in June 2026.
• Board members asked about mountain bike trails, dog parks, and how the updated plan will reference the 2016 Parks Master Plan. Staff confirmed a section will cover changes over the last ten years.

E-Bike Safety on the Riverwalk

• Staff explained that park staff have no enforcement authority and police have limited bandwidth, typically with two officers on patrol. Enforcing an e-bike ban would be difficult.
• Board members suggested coordinated education and warning events similar to police crosswalk operations, larger and more visible signs, speed-limit reminders (noting many e-bikes display speed), and contacting Bend about its e-bike trail policies.
• Staff agreed to coordinate with Police Chief Kelly and will consider additional signage and potential enforcement presence.

Potential Disc Golf Course at Shively Park

• Staff reported that a temporary three-hole disc golf course at Evergreen has seen measurable use: 34 rounds played, 11 miles walked, 10 hours of use, 25,000 steps logged, and it ranked as the 22nd most played course in Oregon on the UDisc app.
• A proposed course at Shively Park would be a wooded, low-impact course with 22 identified tee pads or goals (an 18-hole course could be configured). It would avoid the central park area, maintain at least a few hundred feet of buffer from a private residence, and create a loop connecting Evergreen and Shively. Baskets would be oriented away from roads, and no significant tree removal is planned.
• Board members expressed support for exploring the idea, with suggestions including starting the course at Shively to reduce school-area traffic, restricting course use during school hours, pursuing basket sponsorships, and involving the community in trail clearing.
• A motion to move forward with feasibility exploration was made, seconded, and approved unanimously. Next steps include consulting the local disc golf community and holding a public engagement opportunity later in the summer. Earliest construction would be late fall or winter 2026, with early holes possibly ready by late winter or early spring 2027.

Budget and Staff Reports

• Staff reported on budget hearings, including a proposal to combine the parks and cemetery extra-help budgets to create a full-time maintenance position, half-funded by each. The parks budget as presented moved forward, and plans include aquatic center improvements, recreation site capital projects, and a new parks truck. Final budget adoption is expected in June, with the fiscal year beginning in July.

Key Outcomes

• Approved the February 25 meeting minutes unanimously.
• Directed staff to pursue feasibility of a disc golf course at Shively Park, including public engagement.
• Staff will coordinate with Astoria Police on Riverwalk e-bike safety and consider signs or educational efforts.
• Parks Master Plan update will advance to a City Council work session on May 27, with adoption planned for June 2026.
• Next Parks Advisory Board meeting is May 27, 2026; the following meeting is June 24, 2026.