Partnering proudly for recreation.

Tualatin Hills Park and Recreation District (THPRD) was formed in 1955 for the Greater Beaverton area, providing year-round recreational opportunities for citizens of all ages. Today, THPRD is the largest special park district in the state, covering 55 square miles and serving 200,000 residents. With more than 200 park sites, eight swim centers, three recreation centers and several hundred acres of nature preserve and park, THPRD is considered a national leader ill the park and recreation industry, as well as this month's featured Sportstown winner.

Tualatin Hills Park and Recreation District lives by its mission statement of providing "natural areas, high quality park and recreation facilities, services and programs that meet the needs of the diverse communities it serves." Hundreds of recreational and sports programs are offered annually. Recreational leagues include basketball, softball, tennis, volleyball, track and field and soccer. In addition to league sports, THPRD provides elementary and middle school sports programs such as basketball, soccer, volleyball and track and field. The Park District schedules and maintains 11,3 baseball/softball fields, 124 soccer fields, 107 tennis courts and 59 outdoor basketball/multipurpose courts. This includes Beaverton School District elementary and middle school athletic fields.

Since its inception, THPRD has updated and improved its facilities to keep with the evolving times. These renovations include the installation of a $550,000 synthetic athletic field, funded jointly with youth soccer and football groups; a new sports field complex, also the product of a private-public partnership; new scoreboards; a lO,000-square-tbot skatepark; and the construction of BMX-style bicycle jumps at a neighborhood park. The turf project was so successful that the Park District is working on another synthetic field in its recreation complex, this one meant for all-purpose play--including lacrosse.

THRPD has always paid attention to partnerships for its success stories, says Doug Menke, the Park District's general manager. "Wherever possible, [we] partner to develop community aspects," Menke says. A good example is its skatepark, located in the 90-acre Howard M Terpenning recreation complex. The original skatepark was 7,000 square feet, but through partnerships with various non-profit and private groups, it was expanded to more than lO,O0O square feet. The newly revamped skatepark played host to ESPN's BS Games, which is a multi-purposed boards, blades and bikes competition.

New projects on the horizon include the development of a multi-use sports facility, which will encompass two soccer fields, three football fields, tour softball/baseball diamonds, six tennis courts, a children's play area, a 55-plot community and recreation/aquatic center. The Park District is also working on a state-of-the-art tennis stadium, which Menke hopes will soon host United States Tennis Association (USTA) events. Menke is proud of his Park District's tennis activity which has received recognition from the USTA and NRPA through the Tennis in the Parks grant program. Just recently, THRPD received a $2,900 grant to continue its tennis programs. "We really try to get the tennis right out there from the grassroots perspective," Menke says.

THRPD engages in many public, private and non-profit partnerships to provide quality affordable sports programs to its diverse community. Due to community support, the Park District provides sports facilities to affiliated sports leagues and clubs perpetuating the growth of local sports. Park District staff participate in a variety of community boards and committees that help support and grow sports activities, including the State Games of Oregon, Convention and Visitors Bureau of Washington County, Beaverton Area Chamber of Commerce, Kiwanis, Rotary and Optimists Club and the Police Activities League.

"The Park District facilities, sport fields, tennis courts are highly utilized but with that, it's really nice that we get support from the community," says David Endres, director of community affairs. "We would like to think that every one of our facilities, we are touching every resident in the community."

Because of the various partnerships, agreements and community involvement, THRPD staff ensures there is a continuity in community sports activities through communication.

An example of this is the planning and development of its synthetic turf field at the Terpenning center. The Park District brought the youth soccer and football groups together to create a funding and scheduling package that allowed the completion of the project. The agreement also provided time for emerging sports such as lacrosse and public rentals for the new field.

One of the main features of the Park District, is its 90-acre recreation complex, which provides soccer, swimming, tennis, softball and/or baseball tournaments--all occurring simultaneously on any given day. "Add to that the well-attended skatepark and outdoor basketball courts at the athletic center, it is no wonder people who visit the site declare it is one of the most impressive public park and recreational facilities they have ever seen," says Endres.

While the Park District operates and maintains this facility; its development was due to a community that supports, values and is committed to strong park and recreation programs. Because of the partnerships forged over the years between the Park District, the Beaverton School District, sports clubs, sports leagues and other groups, area residents from all demographics are provided with a wealth of sports opportunities. The continually high attendance by community members is a reflection of these partnerships and uniqueness of this community.

For more information, log on to www.thprd.org.