October 3, 2019 4:05 a.m.
The City of Sutherlin, in partnership with Friends of Ford’s Pond, has been awarded two Oregon Parks and Recreation Department grants totaling just over $632,000 to improve visitor access at the 202-acre Ford’s Pond Community Park located west of Sutherlin.
Information from City staff said along with a $5,000 C. Giles Hunt grant awarded to Friends of Ford’s Pond and $11,000 raised through the nonprofit’s fundraising, the Sutherlin Chamber of Commerce has committed $50,000 from their tourism lodging tax.
Improvements will focus on ADA-accessible parking and walking paths. The Friends of Ford’s Pond will continue to assist the City with grant writing and other fundraising for a permanent restroom, playgrounds, and picnic pavilions. Donations to support future projects can be made via www.fordspond.org
Construction is set to begin next summer.
Find out more about the project by listening to Inside Douglas County Thursday at 12:30 p.m. on News Radio 1240 KQEN. City of Sutherlin Community Development Director Brian Elliot and Community Relations Coordinator Debbie Hamilton will talk about Ford’s Pond.