The Astoria Parks and Recreation department hosted an open house on November 15, 2025, at the Astoria Armory, inviting community members to share their visions for the future of local parks and recreational facilities. The event was part of an initiative to update the Astoria Parks and Recreation Comprehensive Master Plan, a strategic document that will guide development over the next decade.
Jonah Dart-Mclean, the Director of Parks and Recreation, emphasized the importance of public involvement in the planning process. “This update will help guide the future of Astoria’s parks and recreation programming,” he said. The department enlisted the help of planning consultant Mackenzie to facilitate community engagement, aiming to incorporate diverse perspectives into the plan.
Community members were encouraged to attend the open house between noon and 2 p.m., and the turnout exceeded expectations. Approximately 100 participants engaged in a variety of interactive activities designed to gather input on ongoing projects and new ideas. “We’re hoping for about 300 attendees,” Dart-Mclean noted, highlighting that they had already received around 150 responses to an online survey prior to the event.
Interactive Engagement at the Open House
The event featured several tables set up with different themes and activities. One popular station invited guests to allocate buttons into jars labeled with various projects, such as “Maintain Parks” and “New Dog Park.” By 12:35 p.m., certain jars were noticeably fuller, indicating community priorities.
At other tables, residents wrote comments on sticky notes regarding specific parks. Feedback included praise for Tapiola Park, with one participant calling it “fun” and expressing their love for the space. Conversely, suggestions for improvement emerged as well, such as the need for safety signage at Youngs River Falls, a site that had been the location of a recent tragic accident.
Another engaging activity involved participants sketching their dream park designs. Tom Jenkins, a resident of Astoria for four years, shared his vision for Heritage Square. He proposed transforming it into an outdoor community center with access to social services and a designated camping area for the unhoused population. Jenkins highlighted the potential for this space to foster better community interactions.
Community Concerns and Future Opportunities
Concerns about the maintenance of existing facilities were also prevalent. Cathy Betzer expressed her desire for increased upkeep of current parks, particularly a neglected area of the Riverwalk near 39th and Alder. “We need to have a living wage for those lifeguards,” she added, addressing staffing issues at the Astoria Aquatic Center.
The Parks and Recreation department continues to encourage public input through an online survey available on their website, astoria.gov. More opportunities for community engagement are scheduled through April 2026, with the next event set for 18:45 on December 17, 2025, allowing participants to join via Zoom.
As Astoria works to shape its parks and recreation landscape, community feedback will be crucial in creating spaces that meet the needs and aspirations of residents.
