CPRD Historical Milestones
HISTORY HIGHLIGHTS
1963 - Walter Jaquith leads a group of local club and organization leaders through a series of meetings to explore how to meet the growing recreation needs of the community.
June 21, 1965 - Voters approve the formation of the Chehalem Park and Recreation District and elect five board members – Glen Benedict, Toni Crater, Leonard Atrrell, Walter Jaquith and Ernie Leffler. The board selects a budget committee.
May 24, 1966 - Voters defeat a proposal for a tax base to operate the district.
Nov. 8, 1966 - Voters approve a tax base of $48,500 in order to operate the new park and recreation district.
July 1, 1967 - CPRD becomes operational. Frank H. McCoy is hired as superintendent.
1967 - Bonnie Benedict Preschool opens and childcare becomes the first activity program of CPRD, as well as the first preschool in Newberg, serving 4-year-olds and children of kindergarten age.
1967 - CPRD signs a 25-year lease with the City of Newberg operate an outdoor pool and parks.
1967 - The estate of Elizabeth McBroom donates 1.5 acres on the west edge of town on Chehalem Creek.
1967 - Neva Crabtree donates 12.5 acres northwest of Dundee to Yamhill County.
1968 - CPRD expands its childcare program to include 3-year-olds.
April 1969 - CPRD purchases the Presbyterian Church for $15,000 and transforms it into the Recreation Center.
Oct. 1969 - Voters approve a $572,000 bond for the construction of an indoor swimming pool facility, Chehalem Aquatic Center.
1969 - Rene M. Moye is hired as superintendent.
Dec. 20, 1970 - Chehalem Aquatics Center opens. CPRD Administration Offices move into this building. Babe Nicklous Park is developed with an LCDC grant for $37,500.
1971 - Voters approve a three-year serial levy to operate the Aquatics Center.
1974 - Voters approve a second three-year serial levy to operate the Aquatics Center.
1968 - 1971 - Crabtree Park is improved through a $10,000 grant from LCDC.
Jan. 1971 - Superintendent Jimmy M. Kesey is hired.
Feb. 1972 - CPRD sells the Recreation Center to First Federal Savings and Loan for $37,500 and purchases the Assembly of God Church for $37,500.
1972 - CPRD purchases 28.5 acres for Ewing Young Historical Park through a LCDC grant and several donations, totaling $45,500.
Jan. 1977 - Jere S. Jackson is hired as superintendent.
1977-78 - Development continues on Hoover Park, Memorial Park, Babe Nicklous Pool Park and Crabtree Park thanks to matching Land and Water Conservations Fund grants.
May 1979 - CPRD purchases approximately five acres adjacent to Jaquith Park, thanks to a $76,000 Land and Water Conservation Fund grant.
June 1979 - Jaquith Park is dedicated. An EDA grant contributes $330,000 for its development. Senator Mark Hatfield attends.
Fall 1979 - Voters defeat a $3,950,000 bond for park, sports fields and facilities acquisition and development.
1979 - City of Dundee votes to annex a portion to CPRD.
Aug. 1982 - Voters approve a three-year tax rate serial levy.
1984 - Don Clements is hired as superintendent.
1985 - Voters approve a second three-year tax rate serial levy.
1987 - Jack and Winona Billick donate property adjacent to Dundee Park. Development begins on Dundee/Billick Park.
1987 - Development of Jaquith Park ballfields begins.
May 1988 - Voters defeat a tax base levy.
June 1988 - Voters approve a three-year tax rate serial levy.
June 1990 - Construction of tennis courts at Jaquith Park begin, thanks to a state grant.
May 1991 - Voters approve a second tax base levy.
1993 - CPRD purchases property for the development of a senior center and an adjacent adult sports complex.
1993 - Smurfitt Newsprint donates land adjacent to Ewing Young Historical Park.
1995 - The Adult Enrichment Center (AKA Chehalem Senior Center) opens.
1995 - CPRD purchases 189 acres for the construction of a public golf course.
1996 - Buckley Park opens.
1997 - Chehalem Armory opens. Property is acquired for Friends' Park.
1998 - Dundee River Park and Tom Gail Park are added.
1999 - Luis and Mary Brillas Park property agreement is entered into.
2000 - Falcon Crest Park is added.
2000 - Dundee Billick Park
2002 - Oak Knoll Park opens.
2002 - CPRD Administrative Office relocates and opens on S. Elliott Road.
2004 - Gladys Park opens.
2005 - Chehalem Glenn Golf course opens: features 6,836 yards of golf from the longest tees, for a par of 72. Designed by William G. Robinson
2014 - Voters pass a bond of approximately $20 million to construct and renovate Chehalem Aquatics and Fitness Center.
2015 - CPRD acquires Bob and Crystal Rilee Park property, a 327-acre property
Feb. 2017 - Dundee resident Janis Sander bequeaths her family farm property to CPRD in a legacy donation, to become 6.7-acre Sander Estate
May 2018 - Chehalem Aquatic and Fitness Center open new aquatics center Read detailed history here.
Feb. 18, 2019 (Presidents’ Day) - Mark Martin Fitness Area opens inside Chehalem Aquatic and Fitness Center.
Nov. 2020 - Friends' Park opens.
2022 - City of Dundee approves the Sander Estate masterplan
May 2023 - U.S. National Parks Service announced that it will award a $630,310 Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) grant to develop Sander Estate Park in Dundee.
Sept. 2023 - The Board approves Bob and Crystal Rilee Park masterplan
