Colwood Golf Course

It is rare that we have an opportunity to permanently protect a large tract of natural area, especially in one of the most park deficient neighborhoods in the city. However we have just such an opportunity at Colwood Golf Course. Colwood Golf Course is a 140-acre open space spanning the Columbia and Whitaker Sloughs. It is located in the Cully Neighborhood, long recognized as one of the most park deficient neighborhoods in Portland. In 2008, the owners of Colwood proposed to close the Golf Course and applied for a Plan Map Amendment from Open Space to Industrial Sanctuary and a zoning change that would convert the majority of the property (87%) from Open Space to IG2, General Industrial.  The owners offered to donate a small portion of the property (22.5-acres) adjacent to the Slough to the city to be retained as open space designation, but the majority of the property would have been rezoned and developed.

The proposal to convert Colwood for industrial development was strongly and successfully opposed by Portland Audubon and a coalition of neighborhood groups.  The proposal was rejected at both a preliminary hearing and later by a 4-0 vote of the Portland City Council.  In making his recommendation the Hearings Officer looked specifically at the City’s Comprehensive Plan and found that the two most important policy areas for consideration were “openspace/ environmental” and “economic development.” After considering both of these policy areas he found that “The Colwood site open space is unique, is a practically irreplaceable asset, and therefore this application should not be approved.” Commissioner Nick Fish described the Council Vote as “historic” and all members of the City Council spoke eloquently about the importance of protecting a large natural area along the Slough for the neighborhood, the greater community and the environment.

More than 100-years ago the Olmsted Brothers in their report to the Portland Park Board described their vision of “securing many hundred, if not several thousand acres” along the Columbia Slough for a great “meadow park.” That vision took one step closer to reality with City Council’s strong affirmation of the importance of permanently protecting this parcel. It is up to the current owners as to whether they continue to utilize Colwood for a golf course or some other open space use. It is our hope that they will enter into negotiations with the City to convert the parcel into a regional nature park.

For More Information:

Audubon Comments to the Planning Commission on Colwood Golf Course (3-25-08)

Hearings Officer Recommendation to retain Colwood Golf Course as Open Space

Audubon Comments to Portland City Council on Colwood Golf Course (9-15-08)

Report on Portland City Council Vote to retain Colwood as Open Space (9-17-08)

Excerpt from 1902 Olmsted Report to Portland Park Board regarding Columbia Slough Park

Keep Colwood Green Website http://saveouropenspace.com/