Tuesday, November 10, 2015

November 2015 Newsletter

Bull Mountain Park Development is at a Critical Point

Sarah Soper and Toraj Khavari
As most of us are preparing for the end of the year celebrations, the Bull Mountain Park development has reached a critical point.

We can lose the Metro Nature In Neighborhood NIN Grant of $125,900 if the $45,000 donation match is not raised.

We must first of all thank all the volunteers, local businesses, grant writers, Tualatin River Watershed Council (TRWC) and the City of Tigard. We have made significant progress since November of 2014. FBMP have raised $23,000 in cash donations.  A BIG thank you to all of our donors but the critical point is now! We must raise $45,000 in cash donations!

Background:

A Metro NIN Grant of $125,900 was awarded to the FBMP in July 2015 but the grant has a 2X matching requirement of cash plus in-kind donations/volunteer hours. The full amount needed is $68,000 in cash donations plus a total of roughly $166,100 in-kind donation/ volunteer hours to meet the grant requirements. The Metro Grant would allow us to reach the $360,000 goal for park development of ADA Tails, a picnic shelter and nature playground, etc. To date, we have accumulated $103,000 in-kind donation/ volunteer hours since Nov. 2014.
Solution:
We need $45,000 to reach our goal!
Invest $45,000 cash and realize $360,000.
Please consider contributing to the Bull Mountain Park development. All cash donations will be appreciated. Imagine if all the families in the surrounding neighborhoods gave $100, we would be well on our way to meet the Metro grant requirements!

All donations are tax deductible.

Checks made payable to: Tualatin River Watershed Council
Check Memo line:  Friends of Bull Mountain Park Project or FBMP Project
Send to: April Olbrich
Friends of Bull Mountain Park (FBMP) Projects
Tualatin River Watershed Council (TRWC), PO Box 338 Hillsboro OR 97123-0338

A Beautiful Place to Ponder

Mallory Harbison
I am a Girl Scout with Troop 40117 in Tigard. Have lived in Tigard Oregon for 4 years while attending Tigard High School. I built a bench in Bull Mountain Park for my Girl Scout Silver Award In August 2015. 
I wanted to build a bench because it could be a place where people could go to and relax and enjoy the beautiful park. The park had transcending landscape and is overall a very relaxing environment which I love. I chose the remote little area at the bottom of the west trail because of the potential for it to become a very special place. It’s perfect if you just want to escape from the world and have some alone time, or if you want to share a cup of coffee with a friend and catch up.
I built the bench with my dad in our yard. I spent a total of 88 hours on my project with the help of one of the Girl Scouts in my troop and my family. A special thanks to Home Depot, Ace Hardware, and Lowe's for donating the supplies I needed to build it. First, we built the seat, backrest, and the stands, and then I spent hours sanding all of it. We wanted it to be so soft, you would think it was silk. 
I cleared out the area at the park and then began installing. Installing was the most laborious part because we had to dig four, 1 foot deep holes that would fit the cement blocks. Finally we drilled in the bench and we were good to go. My masterpiece was finished.
I thought this was a very good experience and I am happy that I got to create a project that can benefit people for a long time. I do feel as if my leadership skills have developed and improved through this project. So, take a break from your busy lives and go on and enjoy our beautiful park!

Picnic Area in the Meadow

Derick Rummel
We recently had another improvement completed in our park! I am a member of Troop 799 in Tigard. I created a very nice picnic area as part of my Eagle rank on the downhill slope west of where the house was located, next to the apple trees in the Bull Mountain Park. The picnic area required a lot of Scouts to dig out and level a large enough area for a 14 foot concrete pad.  To prevent erosion, a semi-circular brick retaining wall was constructed on the uphill portion of the picnic area and a large level area was created to allow families the space to enjoy picnicking at our park.
My challenge in completing this picnic area was time management.  We had a set deadline of completing the picnic area not only by the time I turned 18 in August, and before I left to attend the National Order of the Arrow Convention at Michigan State University the end of July.
To pay for this project, I held two fundraisers and solicited business donations.  I raised $550 in fundraising to pay for materials and construction supplies as well as working with the City of Tigard to obtain gravel and concrete for the pad.
Between coordinating volunteers, Scouts, City workers and advisors to complete the construction of the picnic area, I had to coordinate the delivery of the concrete. The day the concrete was poured, I was able to assist in the process. Getting down and working with the concrete was my favorite part of the whole project because I was able to learn a new skill and see the end result of leadership. Upon reflecting on my completed eagle project, I feel like the work I did will provide a fun picnic area for all to use for a long time to come.
I would like to thank: the Hwy. 99 Burgerville, the I-5 Burgerville, Home Depot and JAE Oregon for donating to my eagle project. Special thanks goes to the City of Tigard. Without their help supporting the materials and knowledge, my eagle project would not have been as successful.

Removing Invasive Plants

Lindsey Pfeiffer
For my National Honor Society (NHS) project, I coordinated with the Friends of Bull Mountain Park to remove invasive plant species, specifically Himalayan Blackberry plants, from a section of Bull Mountain Park- at the Gaarde Extension. I also worked with the City of Tigard to utilize a dumpster and a tool trailer for the project.
Several students from Tigard High School helped with my project: Emma Barbee, Mai Bukres, Islay Collins, Joey Edgerton, Katy Johnson, Deling Huang, and Sameer Raviprakash all worked hard at removing the plants. In the five hours that we worked, we were able to clear out an extensive amount of blackberry plants, almost filling the entire 20-yard dumpster. Removing these plants was the first step to transforming this area into a trail and open space that will become part of the trail system within Bull Mountain Park. This project paved the way for making this vision for a trail at this location a reality, and is a lasting contribution to the community.

2015 Turkey Traipse

Linda Shaw
The City of Tigard Walks committee is having Tigard's first Thanksgiving walk at Bull Mountain Park.  It is Thursday, November 26 at 8:00 a.m.   It is a 5k route beginning and ending in the park.  It is great introduction of other trails that are already in the neighborhood.  Plan for a hilly walk.   You will be traipsing on pavement, trails, and gravel.  Please wear appropriate footwear.   Donuts and coffee provided by the city in the park.  Hope to see you there!
Park Address: 13950 SW Alpine Crest Way, Tigard, Oregon 97223

Come Grow with Us……….. Naturally!

Sarah Soper
The last three months have been important to the overall progress of the development of Bull Mountain Park. Here is an update:
·         Nike grant application was denied but we are working hard to reapply. The new deadline is December 1, 2015. If you are a Nike employee, please drop us a note. We would like to reinforce the grant application with Nike employees.
·         Metro Nature In Neighborhood (NIN) Grant agreement is on hold until we meet the cash donation matching requirements.
·         Thanks to the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts of America, CarMax, and National Honor Society (NHS). We have completed a picnic table area in the meadow, bench on the west side, two benches and trail connecting them in the meadow. Also, bark dust was spread on the west side trail and west side of the meadow and the efforts to manage and remove the invasive plants continue.
·         Applied for the City of Tigard CIP (Capital Improvement Plan). http://www.tigard-or.gov/city_hall/cip.php .
·         A request for proposal (RFP) with qualification for design was open until September 23rd. We selected Lango Hansen Landscape Architectures P.C. We are in the process of finalizing contracts and agreements. Lango Hansen will develop and create detailed design documents for the Nature Play, Oregon Mining /Mineral Science education play area, picnic shelter, ADA trail and landscaping. The half basketball court / turn-around, any BBQ, fire pit and fire place, and meadow smoothing, landscape, etc. are out of the scope of the current project plan.  The Meadow will be kept natural.
The FBMP donor list is growing. Our thanks and appreciation to the following businesses and individuals.
·         Donors and Sponsors
o   Anonymous (One family, Visionary Donor)
o   Ken and Joan Austin (Patron Donor)
o   Mike and Cheryl Druding (Patron Donor)
o   Jake Egger (Patron Donor)
o   Greatbatch Inc. (Patron Donor)
o   Paul and Sarah Messenger (Patron Donor)
o   Pearson Financial Group (Legacy Donor)
§  Bonnie Conger
§  Conrad Pearson
·         Corporate Donor
o   Dan Muro of RE/MAX
o   JAE Oregon, Inc.
o   John and Steve Barker/Barker Construction
o   M. Crew - Enrique Marguez
o   Parr Lumber
o   Pacific West Roofing
o   Right Angle Digital Print & Supply Inc.
o   The CarMax Foundation
o   Tigard Burgerville
o   Tigard Rotary
o   Tigard Sherwin-Williams
o   UBS
·         Friends
o   Bradley Anderson
o   David and Debbie Mauk
o   Jim & Marie Banks
o   Karussos Family
o   Lee & Michaela Cannard
o   Mark Hackner
o   Shirley J. Jone
·         Supports and In-kind
o   Beaverton CarMax
o   Boy Scouts of America (Professional
o   Services, Labor, and Materials)
o   City of Tigard - Professional Services, Permits, Labor, Utilities, and a lot more
o   Friends of Bull Mountain Park
o   Highwater Johnny
o   John and Steven Barker Construction - Professional Services and Labor
o   Khavari Foundation
o   Learning Landscape Design - Professional Services and Labor
o   Local community
o   Oregon State University – Forestry, Flora and Fauna
o   Oregon Tradeswomen, Inc. – Labor
o   Park’s Neighbors
o   Pearl Paulson, PhD – Education
o   Tigard Citizens and Neighbors
o   THS Key Club
o   THS National Honor Society
o   Tualatin River Watershed Council (Fiscal Sponsor)
o   Two Minds
o   Robert and Sarah Soper (Fundraising USPS campaign) 

Thank you and remember we are actively requesting your tax deductible contribution.

Checks made payable to: Tualatin River Watershed Council
Check Memo line:  Friends of Bull Mountain Park Project or FBMP Project
Send to:        
April Olbrich
Friends of Bull Mountain Park (FBMP) Projects
Tualatin River Watershed Council (TRWC)
PO Box 338
Hillsboro OR 97123-0338

Chairperson Column
Toraj Khavari
The fall colors in the Bull Mountain Park’s forest canopy are preparing us for another great end of the year. Although enjoying the colors, as we draw near end of the year, I become reflective.
2015 has been another kind, productive and progressive year for the Bull Mountain Park. Thanks to volunteers, donors, City of Tigard, Park and Recreation Advisory Board (PRAB), and Friends of Bull Mountain Park (FBMP); significant progress was made during 2015. The vacant park’s house was removed, and we designed and constructed a toolshed, added a bathroom shelter, picnic areas, benches, and trails were added and maintained. Metro grant was approved July 2015. Two wonderful summer events were held at the Park’s meadow. Tualatin River Watershed Council (TRWC), FBMP fiscal sponsor, continues doing a great job handling financial reports and donors’ communications to meet the IRS requirements.  And the list goes on. Past newsletters and Sarah Soper’s reports are great evidence of progress.
FBMP is starting the end of the 2015 year fundraising campaign (grants, corporate and individual contributions, local government agencies, to name a few). I encourage you to get involved. Leave a legacy.
Bull Mountain Park is a great place to neighbor in the neighborhood, go to the park, enjoy the nature playground, and be active.
See you in the Park.
For more details about the FBMP’s projects and BMP concept plan refer to the following documents.
For more details about the FBMP’s projects and BMP concept plan refer to the following documents.

FBMP Contacts
    Chairperson : Toraj Khavari   toraj.khavari@gmail.com
    Newsletter Editor: Cheryl Druding   fbmpeditor@gmail.com
    Tigard Park and Recreation Advisory Board (PRAB) Liaison: Tim Pepper  tpepper@gmail.com
    Trail Masters: Tim Pepper  tpepper@gmail.com and Jenn Eaton  jennilynn311@yahoo.com
    Volunteer and Event Coordinator: Linda Shaw  lindashaw13178@msn.com
    Eagle Scout Advising and Web Administration: Bruce Harbison  c5racer88@gmail.com

FBMP Meetings

Please mark your calendars and join us.

Time and Dates: 7 PM to 8:30 PM
Thursday  - January 28, 2016
Thursday - April 28, 2016
Thursday - July  28 2016
Where: Fire Station #50, located at 12617 SW Walnut St. Tigard OR, 97223

Bull Mountain Park
The BMP soft trails start at multiple (6) entrances: SW Greenfield Drive, SW Benchview Place, SW Woodshire, SW Alpine Crest Way, SW Fernridge Terrace, and SW Ridgefield Ln.
Come and enjoy the park, be active, be healthy, and be green. Bull Mountain Park area photo and trail maps:
Park Address - 13950 SW Alpine Crest Way, Tigard, Oregon 97223

Connect with the FRIENDS of BMP at the following sites:
Ø  FBMP’s Blogs - http://fbmpblogs.blogspot.com/
Ø  Yahoo® User Group - http://groups.yahoo.com/group/FEBMP/


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