Sisters, OR – Sisters Park & Recreation District (SPRD) is proud to announce that Sisters Community Park received a prestigious Design & Construction Award from the Oregon Recreation and Parks Association (ORPA) at its Annual Conference in September. The award recognizes excellence in park design and construction, including innovation, community involvement, efficient use of resources, and responsiveness to community needs.
Designed by Dougherty Landscape Architects, Sisters Community Park is the result of an extensive community engagement process and close collaboration with the SPRD Board of Directors and staff. The project transformed a former school district property into a vibrant community park, officially celebrated with a ribbon-cutting ceremony this spring.
“This award is a wonderful recognition of what can happen when a community comes together around a shared vision,” said Jennifer Holland, SPRD Executive Director. “Dougherty Landscape Architects did an outstanding job incorporating community feedback into a thoughtful and functional design. We are incredibly proud of the park and grateful to everyone who helped make it possible.”
A key success of the project was the ability to bring the park to life with minimal local tax dollars. SPRD secured a $756,628 Local Government Grant with a 40% match requirement, made possible through generous contributions from Pineview Tennis Club, the City of Sisters through System Development Charge (SDC) funds, private donations through the SOAR Foundation, and Outlaw Basketball.
SPRD also extends its sincere appreciation to the Sisters School District for its ongoing partnership and willingness to envision a new use for the property after the district vacated the site. This collaboration created an opportunity to transform the space into a lasting community asset.
Equally important was the community’s support of SPRD’s local option levy renewal in 2023. The district is deeply grateful to voters for recognizing the value of parks and recreation and providing additional support. Without the local option levy, SPRD would not have been in a position to take on a project of this magnitude.
“This project is a true example of the power of community support and partnerships,” Holland added. “From the voters who renewed our local option levy to the organizations and individuals who contributed funding and/or volunteered their time, this park would not have been possible without the community coming together. By leveraging grant funding and local partnerships, we were able to minimize the impact on taxpayers while creating a beautiful recreational space for all ages. We are incredibly proud of this park and grateful for the community’s continued trust and support.”
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