North Clackamas Aquatic Park

Inside this giant kids’ water paradise is metro Portland’s only wave pool, a dive well, three awesome water slides, a lap pool and adults-only hot tub (for mom and dad). And if it’s not tooooo hot (or too cold) head outside for a game of sand volleyball, or to hang out on the sun deck. Voters approved the formation of the North Clackamas Parks and Recreation District in 1990 because they saw the need for greater parks and recreation services in the north end of the county. Following a grassroots organization by the people of the north county, voters approved the district by a 53- to 47- percent margin, 54 cents of every $1,000 would be set aside for parks in the community. Furthermore, the District took on maintenance of the existing Milwaukie park property and began construction of the North Clackamas Aquatic Park. Soon thereafter, a citizen task force assisted by Clackamas County planners developed the first District Master Plan. The Master Plan was updated and adopted in 2004 to reflect changes within the District. It guides North Clackamas Parks and Recreation District in providing parks and recreation facilities, programs and services to its residents. In 2006, the City of Happy Valley voted to join NCPRD. This added more than 10,000 residents and a number of additional parks and facilities. NCPRD is now the park service provider for the Cities of Happy Valley and Milwaukie. A small portion of the district is included in the City of Damascus. Headquartered in the Clackamas County Development Services Building in Oregon City, NCPRD is managed by a staff of more than 30 with a nine-member volunteer District Advisory Board of citizens from throughout the district. The NCPRD Board of Directors is the five-member Board of County Commissioners. As a county service district, NCPRD has its own taxing authority.